Up until last summer, I had managed to progress through my life with absolutely no interest in gardening whatsoever. Despite my maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother being avid flower growers, it seemed that the gardening gene was never passed on to me.
My lack of interest in this very popular past-time was beginning to cause me quite a lot of concern. The next door neighbors have tidy, well-kept gardens. They return from the garden centers with loads of living things that they can plant and look after.
What disturbed me more however was, as someone with numerous hobbies and interests, why had gardening managed to slip the net? After all, I enjoy productive past-times such as dressmaking, still-life painting and other handicrafts. I enjoy hobbies that I can do on my own, and a prerequisite is that my efforts must result in an end-product. Gardening certainly fits the criteria, yet I had never before contemplated wanting to be a gardener.
Looking out of my window, I see perennials and biennials, hardy and half-hardy annuals, shrubs and climbers. On my window sills, I have seedlings and cuttings that I am nurturing in readiness for their new homes outside.
So what transformed me into a keen gardener in less than a year?
It was having the true desire to become a keen gardener - simple as that. As someone who encourages and motivates others to set and achieve goals, it was my turn to practice what I preach.
Firstly, I had to ensure that I had the true desire to start gardening. I was becoming concerned about my lack of interest, and I was perhaps feeling somewhat envious of the enthusiasm demonstrated by my neighbors. Rather than just wishing that I could become a gardener, it was essential that I converted the desire into positive action.
I treated the challenge as a project, with all of the accompanying plans and time-lines that projects entail. I measured the perimeter of the garden, and drew a diagram showing the layout.
I carried out a personal brainstorming session of what I wanted in my garden. Did I want just plants, or did I want to include a water feature or a statue?
Once it was decided what I wanted, I visualized what the garden would look like. I imagined all of the wonderful flowers, the fragrances and the sounds of tiny insects buzzing around the blooms. I saw myself sitting outside on the bench taking in the spectacle and feeling the warmth of the sun in the quietness of my garden.
By this time, I was suitably motivated to get out there and start work. Before I had even cleared the weeds, I was already investigating entry requirements for the local gardens competition.
That was it. I knew the date of the judging, and I promptly told my friends that I was entering the competition. My garden existed only in my head. But that was the critical factor in the whole process.
Not only could I see the garden, but I could smell the flowers, feel the sun and hear the sounds. I was sitting in the garden that did not exist.
It was then up to me to create my beautiful garden and ensure that my dream became a reality.
Jan specialises in encouraging people to "Make Positive Changes Now" in several aspects of their lives including career change, personal development, and combatting addictions.
She is currently developing a number of CDs and DVDs to motivate and encourage people to make positive and worthwhile changes in their lives.
Visit Jan's web site at http://www.powerpositivenow.com
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