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Are You A Rock?

BY Jan Goodman

we might think that it might not be. It helps to know that we are
not alone. Talk to another rock, it helps! You know a lot of other
business owners, parents etc. We are all going through something
in these unprecedented times.

You may not consider yourself a rock. You may think your role is
so unimportant that it is up to others to provide the steadfastness
needed to hold things together. If you are thinking that it is time to
change.

There is no such thing as an insignificant part of a company, family,
school, church or non-profit organization. We all have our place to
fit in. A surefire way to be considered a rock, is to eliminate roller
coaster emotions, unpredictable behavior, and ever-changing
attitudes.

Time to start being a rock and stop waiting for others to hold
everything together, its takes a village they say. There is light at the
end of the tunnel. 2021 will be the year of the ROCK…and ROLL!!!

MORE ABOUT JAN GOODMAN...
She is a highly active member in her local BOMA chapter. Jan has served on
What makes a person a rock? Do you stand firm or are
you steadfast? The definition of these phases perfectly BOMA’s Charity Benefit Committee since 2006. Jan and Cityscapes received
describes a person who is “stationary, such as something BOMA Boston’s Prestigious “Affiliate Company and Member of the Year
that sits in one place for a long time, or something that is Awards” in 2008 and 2010. Jan is regularly active in charity work for several
firm and steady. As business owners, leaders and parents non-profit organizations. For the past 10 years (excluding 2020), she has
we are challenged to be totally reliable like a rock. We will set up Pot-a Plant at the Special Olympics at Harvard Stadium. In 2020 Jan
hold things together and not be easily shaken or moved. received an “Outstanding Community Service” award from the Brookview
Is this easy? No this is not. shelter for homeless women and children which she and her company
volunteer at, on a regular basis.

Another way to describe this is a pillar. It supports
the roof structure or another load-bearing wall in the For the last 15 years, Jan has been on the Board of Directors for “Green
building. If you were to suddenly take the pillar out of Plants for Green Buildings,” supporting the initiative to Communicate the
its place, the entire building would collapse, would it Aesthetic, Wellbeing and Economic Benefits of Nature in the Built environ-
not? Our businesses, schools, religious organizations and ment. She also was inducted into Cultivates Interiorscape Hall of Fame in
homes need more rocks for steady and reliable founda- 2016. In 2019 she started a charitable offshoot of Cityscapes called Trans-
tions. We don’t need to throw rocks we need to build planted. A roaming greenhouse that is a pop up plant shop on wheels! All
with them. profits go to local, national and international charities. Sprout the plant
truck has donated over $20,000.00 year to date. Truly living Cityscapes
mission of “Transforming People’s Lives through the Power of Plants”
Are you a rock? Someone who can be depended on.
Are you standing in place holding things together?
Even when circumstances are crumbling, a rock will be Additionally, she continually mentors colleagues and companies in the
there for others to lean on. If feels lonely being a rock plantscaping world to help future generations of the industry be their best.
sometimes. You feel like you can never show that you
are sometimes crumbling inside or that you are tired of Contact Jan by email: jan@bostoncityscapes.com
being a rock. We rocks have to show strength, hope and
optimism. We say “everything will be okay” even though

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