Water the Bamboo

The Story of the Giant Timber Bamboo

Giant Bamboo farmers plant a bamboo seed and begin watering the plant.  Everyday they tend to the bamboo.  In the first year, the bamboo seed fails to grow.  In the second year, still no growth.  During the third year the farmer continues to water the plant still there is no growth.  However, it the fourth year the bamboo seed grows 90 feet in 60 days!!!

Four Real Life Examples of Watering the Bamboo

1. You are being extremely diligent with your sales calls. You are prepared for meetings and have a strong knowledge of the product.  However, you haven’t seen the growth in revenue that you expected.  Keep watering the bamboo.
2. You set a goal to lose weight. It has been tough; you have changed your eating habits and have exercised regularly.  Unfortunately, the results haven’t come as fast as you like.  Keep watering the bamboo.
3. As an athlete, you’ve put in the work. There’s been days when others have made poor choices and you did the “hard right” thing.  However, you are not seeing the playing time or having the success you expected.  Keep watering the bamboo.
4. You are the first in the office and the last to leave. You care deeply about the organization; your colleagues turn to you when they need advice or help.  You’ve given your all to the organization, but others have been promoted ahead of you.  Keep watering the bamboo.

The characteristics of a bamboo farmer: patience, persistence and self-discipline are tough to find in our instant gratification society.  The question we need to ask ourselves is, “what are we doing today to help achieve our dreams 4, 5 or even 10 years from now?”  When the bamboo farmer is watering during those first three years it is very lonely.  Can you imagine what others who are less informed are saying about them?  “You’re wasting your time.”  “That plant is never going to grow?”

The challenge this week is to continue to think differently.  If you are following your dreams keep going. There will be no shortage of negative people who will find fault with your pursuit.  As Greg Bell, author of “Water the Bamboo,” says, “tell them to mind your own bamboo.”

Keep pushing,

Mike