Feed the Seed
Feed the Seed
Trust the process and have patience; success may be just around the corner
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it's how we behave while we're waiting.”
- Joyce Meyer
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Feed the Seed
A species of bamboo known as timber bamboo is famous for its incredible growth rate and strength. Yet few people realize the process that goes into creating this massive plant.
The growth of timber bamboo provides a powerful metaphor for the importance of perseverance and patience in achieving success. Athletes, teams, and individuals seeking to achieve their goals and dreams must recognize that progress is not always immediate and that consistent effort and nourishment are essential for long-term growth.
After planting, timber bamboo must be watered daily for optimal growth, just as your mind must be nourished daily with positive and motivational thoughts. And just like your mind, if you fail to feed the bamboo, it will fail to thrive.
The amazing thing about timber bamboo is that even after being watered every day for three years, there is ZERO growth above the surface.
It doesn’t appear to be doing any good. There seems to be no progress.
Then, in the fourth year, the bamboo suddenly grows an incredible 90 feet in just 60 days. Four years of work eventually results in massive growth.
Leaders, athletes, and teams can apply this lesson to their training plans if they recognize that sustained effort and commitment are essential for long-term growth and success, a crucial lesson that also pertains to our personal lives. We must stay patient and persistent in pursuing our goals, even when progress is slow or invisible. Time and sustained effort can result in incredible growth and progress!
“Sometimes things aren't clear right away. That's where you need to be patient and persevere and see where things lead.”
- Mary Pierce
Connecting this quote to the story. Our progress may not be immediately visible, and it can be tempting to give up or lose motivation. However, by persevering and remaining patient, we can continue to work toward our goals and eventually see the fruits of our labor.
This week’s Chasing Influence tip: You don’t prioritize what is on your schedule. You schedule what you prioritize.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2023