The Cycle Pile, Plant, Protect, Pick: Gardening Metaphors for Growth and Success Paperback – April 12, 2026

What if the hardships you’ve lived through—your failures, burdens, losses, and mistakes—weren’t wasted, but the very material needed to grow the life you want?In “CYCLE: Pile, Plant, Protect, Pick,” Wayland Smalley blends vivid memoir storytelling with practical gardening philosophy to reveal a simple truth: life works in cycles—and when you understand the cycle, everything becomes easier.From blistering summers in his grandfather’s Wyoming garden to training wild mustangs, working Hollywood sets, managing showgirls, welding in factories, raising racehorses, and leading teams in corporate America, Wayland shows how every experience—good and bad—becomes mulch. Layered over time, those experiences create the fertile ground for success, resilience, intention, and peace.Through relatable stories and universal lessons, Wayland introduces the Four Pillars that shape every part of life:PILE – Turning waste into wealth. Your past isn’t baggage—it’s fuel. Learn how your struggles, mistakes, and lessons can become productive compost for your future instead of emotional weight.PLANT – Vision as the first seed. Everything begins with imagination and intention. Discover how belief, clarity, and purpose shape the outcomes you pursue in your garden, your work, your relationships, and your life.PROTECT – Guard what matters most. Good soil and good dreams both require boundaries. Protect your energy, your projects, your relationships, and your goals from the weeds of doubt, distraction, and chaos.PICK – Reap the harvest. When systems are aligned, the hardest work becomes gathering the results. Explore how to recognize the right season, celebrate the wins, avoid complacency, and prepare for the next cycle of growth.A Book for Gardeners, Leaders, Makers, and Anyone Ready for ChangeThis is not just a gardening guide, a memoir, or a leadership book—it is all three. Whether you are starting over, facing burnout, rebuilding after loss, or thriving and ready for the next season, this book offers a clear, memorable framework you can use anywhere in life. You will learn how to work with intention instead of overwhelm, transform challenges into strength, nurture healthier relationships, reduce stress, and grow more in every area of life.If you’ve ever wondered why life feels hard even when you’re doing everything right—or how to break through the same old struggles—this book will show you the cycle you’ve been living all along.Come on—let’s plant. Read more