The Sunday Mail
Changing Perspectives
Rutendo Gwatidzo
As we draw closer to the end of the year, it is important to introspect and ask ourselves the question: What have I sown that I am going to reap?
No one plans to fail in life.
We all want to succeed.
We want to “have it all” regardless of our circumstances.
But not all of us want to accept that we have to fight for that success.
There are many ways of fighting, and one of them is the ability to sow in order to reap.
Sowing comes with hard work, focus, perseverance and commitment, just to mention a few virtues.
Once a seed is sown, it requires watering, weeding, maintenance, spraying and pruning before its fruits can be harvested.
The same concept applies in life.
We do not just become successful; there is a process that should be followed before we reach where we want to be.
Organisational status
We are nearing year-end, and for many organisations, this is the time to recognise and reward talent as well as high achievers.
It is that time of the year when almost everyone in the company is expectant and hoping to receive something as a token of appreciation.
Some may receive a 13th cheque, and others recognition and awards.
There are workers who may receive holiday or shopping vouchers.
Almost everyone looks forward to receiving something.
The question I need to throw to someone right now is: What have you sown for you to expect to reap something?
You need to have sown something and watered it to produce fruits that you can reap.
For instance, if you sow great sales, then you are most likely to reap a great commission, and it is fine to expect it.
You reap what you sow.
In most cases, for someone to become a manager, they would have sown commitment, hard work, strategy, execution and met targets.
Sadly, many organisations have unproductive teams, yet they expect rich rewards from the company.
This is how many organisations are sinking.
Entitlement has destroyed many companies and individuals.
Facts of life
Whatever you plant today becomes your future. If you want healthy relationships, be sure to plant the same.
If you want a bumper harvest, then be ready and willing to work hard.
Remember, after planting you have to nurture the seed until it produces results.
Let us get a bit more practical.
What is likely to happen if you drink contaminated water?
I believe the answer is obvious.
How can you expect to reap groundnuts when you have sown sorghum? Today, we have an increase in the number of people expecting miracle harvests after sowing nothing.
This is causing instability, especially in the business sector.
Reaping what you have sown is a law of nature.
It is the same as the law of cause and effect.
No matter how others try to twist it, it remains a law of nature.
To live in peace and harmony, it is better to abide by this law.
We have a good number of parents, especially fathers, who expect good relations with their children yet they have sown very little into building relationships with them.
We have neighbours who do not greet one another, but expect assistance when they have an emergency.
There is also a group of people who just plant and disappear, leaving the plant uncared for and, surprisingly, expect a good harvest.
This is similar to managers who put a good team together and expect high levels of performance without training them.
Be inspired to sow seeds that you will enjoy harvesting.
Be encouraged to care for the seed until it matures to produce good results.
Be challenged to make a positive difference in what you do without expecting to reap where others have sown.
May we all contribute to reducing vices like theft, murder, jealousy and envy by sowing our own seeds that we can reap from and share our harvests.
Think about it and do something about it.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is a culture and change management strategist. She is a human resource consultant, speaker, mentor and author of the book Born to Fight. Contact: +263 714 575 805/ [email protected] / Rutendo Gwatidzo Official on Facebook.
