In the Far East, they have a tree that’s called, “The Chinese Bamboo Tree”. This amazing tree is different from most other trees. It has similar characteristics as most plants in that it has to be watered and fertilized on a regular basis. There is something however, that makes this tree unique. While most trees grow steadily over a period of years, the Chinese Bamboo tree doesn’t break ground for the first five years. Then, in the fifth year, a remarkable thing happens; the tree begins to grow at an astonishing rate. In fact, in a period of just five weeks, a Chinese Bamboo tree can grow to a height of 90 feet.
In life, you will have goals that you want to accomplish. Some of them will come fast and easy. Others, despite moving and plugging away, seem to gain no ground. Don’t get discouraged. You may not see the results right away, but your actions are slowly starting to gain momentum. Eventually, once you break ground, much like the Chinese Bamboo tree, amazing things will start happening.
I remember when I first took over a Territory a few years back. They were dead last in ranking. Not only that but almost every single key performance indicator was an opportunity, including turnover. I felt like it wasn’t just a hill but a mountain that I needed to climb. I wanted to start my new leadership role right. I started implementing a plan to turn results around, starting with getting the right people in the right place. I still remember those first few weeks and even months. I wanted immediate results and it became easy to get discouraged when it didn’t come.
Faith in my plan and patience continued to drive my actions. That year, I didn’t finish last but I wasn’t that far away. During the following year however, I began to see my “Chinese Bamboo tree” growing. By the end of the following year, my Territory finished first overall for the year.
Les Brown, a motivational speaker tells the story of the Chinese Bamboo Tree in this YouTube Video created by Jonathan Chapman.
Les Brown Chinese Bamboo Tree Story
I love the question he poses, “Does it grow 90 feet tall in 5 weeks, or 5 years?”
It grows 90 feet tall in 5 years. If at any time, that person would have stopped watering or nurturing that dream, that Bamboo tree would have died in the ground.
Some people stop because they don’t see immediate results. Don’t let that somebody be you. Keep committing to the daily actions you need to do to achieve your goals. Yes, it can be extremely easy to get discouraged. The best things in life are usually the ones that you need to work the hardest to get, or keep.
Keep watering those dreams.
What dream are you working on that feels much like the bamboo tree in this story?
Our lives can get pretty hectic and it can be easy to get lost in our actions. When we are so focused on what is ahead, we forget to pause, reflect and find ways to energize our minds. These 5-minute motivation posts are meant to give you that recharge. The goal is to give you a 5-minute Vitamin for your mind through quotes, posts and videos. It is also meant to challenge your thinking and inspire you to take action.