1. Slow down and observe.

The only thing worse than not finding any mushrooms, is looking behind you only to discover that you had trampled a patch of morels.

2. Focus on your target.

Any morel mushroom hunter will tell you that once they discover their first morel, a sea of mushrooms instantly pop out in front of their eyes. Keeping a constant focus on your purpose and mission are essential for success in any endeavor.

3. Change your perspective.

I will often climb on top of a downed tree or will crouch down toward ground-level in hopes of spotting a hidden morel. It is amazing what kind of impact a different perspective can have. Many “problems” in your business aren’t really problems at all. They are only a problem of your current perspective.

4. Tune out the noise of life, and tune in to nature. 

Countless psychological studies have shown that multitasking simply does not work. You do not see people on their cell phones in the middle of the conference call while there traipsing through the woods looking for mushrooms. Focus on one thing at a time.

5. Look for hidden opportunities.

Mushrooms grow around fallen trees. Sometimes you need to use a stick to lift up leaves and other debris that has settled over the winter to uncover what you are looking for. In essence, when opportunity knocks, we don’t recognize it because it is dressed in work clothes.

6. Take action or lose the opportunity. 

Morels grow for only 2-3 weeks out of the year. You can’t pick a mushroom that isn’t there! Opportunities in business may come along at an imperfect time; but seizing them when they appear could be the only way that you will be able to realize the prize.

7. Share the love!

Frying a batch of morel mushrooms and sharing them with friends and family is a fantastic activity. Great leaders do not seek out the spotlight for themselves; they find reasons to exult and recognize other people in their organization.