by Judy Baker on February 1, 2012

Some people might think a winter garden is a bare and dreary place. If you live in a warmer climate, like Sonoma, you may grow roses. If so, you know that you need to prune them severely in the wintertime in order for them to have full blossoms in the spring.

Here in the Wine Country, we have been experiencing an unseasonably warm and cold winter. This time of year, there is a lot to do in preparation for spring. Usually, the garden would be nearly devoid of flowers this month, but because it has been so warm, some color and bright spots are popping up already, like the first daffodils rising from their leafy bed. Oranges are nearly ripe and ready to eat.

There are many examples of fruit trees and other blooming plants that need to be pruned severely in order to produce new wood and healthy blossoms and fruit. In fact, with out a good pruning, these plants suffer and decline.

During the winter months it’s a good time to take stock of your business and see what needs to be pruned away as well.

I’m in the process of culling files from my office and my computer. In fact I had a major system issue with my computer which is forced me to look at the files that could have been causing the problem and clearing them off so that I could have a good computing experience once again. Sometimes even the smallest disturbance can cause major problems.

In business, you may have one customer who is consuming more than 80% of your time. When you look at how much revenue they are generating, it is probably less than 20%. On the reverse side, according to Parato’s principal, you probably have a client who takes up only 20% of your time and generates 80% of your income, so take a look and see what you can cut out of your life if it isn’t working for you, and do more of what is working for you instead. Like the winter garden, there is activity even when you don’t see it.