You Haven’t Lost—You’re Growing

Hey Leader,

I saw a quote yesterday that hit me hard:

1 – You think you’ve lost.

I think you’re stepping into your next growth season. 🌱

2 – You care what people think about your ‘plant.’

I think you should be focused on your next ‘tree.’ 🌲

3 – You judge yourself while you’re planting.

I’m over here enjoying the dirt.

Here’s the truth: Every leader goes through soil seasons—the hidden, unglamorous, uncelebrated stretches where nothing looks like it’s happening. But under the surface, God is doing deep work.

Scripture Reminders (NLT):

📖 “Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9

📖 “Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.” – Ecclesiastes 11:6

📖 “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6

Here’s my challenge for you:

• Stop judging the seed before it has time to sprout.

• Stop caring if others think your “plant” is too small.

• Start enjoying the dirt—because it’s in the soil that roots are formed.

Your next season of growth will come from the very seeds you’re planting right now.

So keep planting. Keep watering. Keep trusting the God who makes things grow.

—Brett

P.S. Here, in the Leadership Essentials Community, we believe in equipping leaders for both the stage and the soil. If you’re in a dirt season right now, reply to this email and tell me about it—I’d love to encourage you.