When the Seeds Don’t Sprout: Staying the Course When Nothing Seems to Be Working

Lately, I’ve been discouraged.

I’ve been doing all the “right” things—booking meetings, showing up to networking events, following up, nurturing leads, asking for feedback, staying visible. I’ve even been checking in with mentors whose wisdom I trust. And yet… nothing is landing.

It’s easy to feel like the universe isn’t listening, like all the effort is for nothing. When you’re in this headspace, optimism feels like a luxury you can’t afford. You start to wonder: Am I doing something wrong? Am I even on the right path? Should I just throw in the towel?

But here’s what I’m learning: Momentum doesn’t always look like movement.

Sometimes, the seeds you plant take longer to root. The calls, the coffees, the proposals—they’re not wasted. They’re building a foundation, creating ripple effects you can’t yet see.

And maybe this is where the real growth happens—in the space between intention and outcome. In the test of perseverance.

So what am I doing in the meantime?

• Doubling down on consistency—even when it feels like no one’s watching.

• Reconnecting to my “why”—because if I lose sight of that, I lose everything.

• Making room for grace—for myself, and for the process.

To anyone else feeling like this right now: You’re not alone. And you’re not failing.

Sometimes, the breakthrough comes right after you almost gave up.

When the path gets quiet and discouraging, don’t confuse silence with failure. Keep watering your seeds. Keep showing up. The harvest is often closer than you think.