How to get big results from small actions
“Imagine that your goal is to create a thousand-acre oak forest where now there is only barren soil,” the Wealthy Gardener had said. “The task will be the enduring legacy of your life, serving the birds, squirrels, deer, raccoons, and insects long after you are gone. But the one condition is that you can only do this work in your free time during the next ten years. How can you accomplish this feat?”
Jimmy had laughed at the preposterous undertaking. “It would take ten thousand acorns,” he said, “and I would just start planting daily.”
“Just start planting and see what happens?”
Jimmy thought about it. “Okay, I could give the task an hour each day,” he said at last. “And then maybe ten hours of planting each weekend. If I did nothing but plant seeds in those hours, I’d be able to cover several acres each hour. This would add up to a hundred acres every month. And then I could complete it all within a year.”
“And that is the effect of small efforts when you know what is wanted and then engage consistent hours for a clear purpose,” said the Wealthy Gardener. “The impact of a productive life always reflects the impact of its collective hours. We just break the big achievement into smaller pieces and stay consistent in our actions. A plan of action helps us stay the course during the longest journey.”
“But isn’t success more complicated than planting acorns?”
“Is it really?” asked the Wealthy Gardener. “Or is that just an excuse? Success is always an organized plan and consistent effort.”
“I think planting seeds is simpler than growing wealthy.”
“And by saying so, many people give themselves a pass for being careless with their hours. But in the example of planting an oak forest, you will notice that you gave almost all your free hours to the task. Productivity comes from following a plan, and a plan comes from a clear goal. It’s knowing what you want and then staying the course.”
Jimmy sighed. “What if I don’t know what I want yet?”
The Wealthy Gardener chuckled. “Then you should have plenty of time to ponder it. And the most productive hour of every day is the one you use to think about, imagine, dream, plan, and clarify your goals. This one hour elevates all your other hours.”
– Excerpt from The Wealthy Gardener
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