Progress Patience Persistence - taught by the Bamboo Tree!

Some years ago I’ve heard the Chinese bamboo story. There is something amazing about Chinese bamboo and the way it grows.

Once you plant it, you need to water it, nurture it, and fertilize it every day. But nothing happens the first year. You do the same thing the next year, and still nothing happens. That’s right, you see no results for 4 long years!

You’re waiting for results, not seeing any evidence of progress. Can you imagine yourself doing the same things every day, not having any evidence that your efforts are having any effect? The only thing you know, is that the result is supposed to come in 4 years. But then what happens on the fifth year is just awesome. One morning you wake up and see a small bamboo sprig, then the next day an even bigger one and in 5 weeks it has grown up to 90 ft. (27 meters)!

What do you think – did it do all its growing in the last 5 weeks, or was it growing for 4 years? It’s obvious that the bamboo was growing underground the whole time – without visible evidence, but it was growing. It was developing the solid root system necessary to support the height and weight of the bamboo stalk for a lifetime.

Chinese bamboo reminds me a lot of being successful in business.

It all starts with a solid root system

To stand strong, the bamboo grows and develops its root system for 4 long years, so it can support the whole structure and weight above ground when the day comes. This support system enables it to survive in the harshest conditions for many, many years, thanks to durability, strength and flexibility it developed ahead of time. 

The same applies to business and in no area more than channel business! If you want to achieve long-term success, have great relationships, and get awesome things done you need to have a solid foundation to support those things – your character, your values, your attitude. It all starts with YOU. Because people need to trust you to support and follow you. Strong roots / bonds are the foundation.

It takes small actions every day - progress. Day by Day, Week by Week

In the early days, the bamboo does not grow overnight. In life, there is no such thing as overnight success. Yes, that’s true, in spite of what you constantly hear in the media and what we all wish. Real success takes time and diligent effort. You become successful by doing the right things right on a regular basis to move closer to your goals. Small actions today make a big difference in the long run. 1% progress each day sums up a LOT. Actually i see it with burpees. Doing burpees everyday and increasing the number just by 1! And now already at 52 Burpees in a row (Oh - and i still hate them!)

It takes persistence, patience and faith

Great results may take months or even years to accomplish. If you start working on your goals, but don’t see immediate results, will you continue tomorrow? How much faith and patience will that require? Successful people don’t stop – they move forward, even if they don’t see immediate results. They know that if they put in the effort, doing the right things right every day, then results will eventually come. Remember, the Chinese bamboo story is a perfect example of that. 

Don’t let your mood, circumstances or people derail you. Get started, and keep going. You’ll be amazed at what you achieve. And what is more important, is who you will eventually become as a result.

Isn't that true in channel business? A solid root system based on principles like integrity, loyalty, humbleness just to name 3. Those principles will gain trust. And when people trust you they will start business with YOU. Small actions done week by week are way better then big QBRs, helicopter approach channel management or a trip to a conference overseas. And continuous progress: get to know 1 sales rep more, have 1 more attendee in a webinar, 1 more project in the funnel - and after 12 months you will wonder what you have accomplished. FOCUS - Follow On Course Until Success

And now get down and start doing burpees :)