Money Grows on the Tree of Persistence - Part 1
There is an old Japanese Proverb – “Money Grows on the Tree of Persistence” and recently the meaning of this really hit home as I was having a conversation with a client who was just really struggling to make ends meet yet had so many things going on that could have potentially made him plenty of money…
People will live their lives in either a state of stubbornness or persistence. What is the difference you ask and how would this affect my quality of life?
An individual who is stubborn is resistant to change, fearful of stepping out of their “comfort zone”. They rely on the routine of their daily lives; doing what they’ve always done and getting what they have always got. Being stubborn is more about ego than anything else.
Persistence is positive, hope-filled and actions based on results. Imagine you’re a young pup, in a big yard. You know there is a big juicy bone out there and everyday you dig.
Everyday that you don’t find the bone you just want it more and more. Eventually your persistence pays off, and you drag your bone under a shady tree and enjoy the rewards.
Sometimes in life, the attraction to give up is hard to resist and being stubborn can just be a way of saying “you know, this is just too hard for me right now, I’d rather not”. There will a million and one excuses why you should just give up. You can justify anything.
Now picture your money tree. Got it? How does it look? Healthy and vibrant? Weak and frail? What does your tree need to make it grow? Are you giving your tree what it needs to grow and expand?
Just as a real tree needs light and water, your money tree needs similar qualities, in your energy and your persistence. Without these qualities, your money tree will not grow and be fruitful. A money tree cannot grow without persistence. A money tree will die if you justify your lack of energy and persistence with excuses.
Are you being persistent or stubborn?
Stay tuned for Part 2 next week.
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Comments
2 Aug 2010 4:07 PM, cheyne goulden said:
thanks for the article ruby. I found it quite epiphanal. good timely reminder. hurry up and write the next one :)
23 Jul 2010 7:25 PM, David Woodier said:
Hey Ruby, thanks for the reminder about persistence. I really like saying that commitment is doing the things we said we'd do after the feeling we had when we said them has gone - it's sort of the same with persistence I believe.
The only thing I'd like to add to that is that persistence down the wrong path, just leads to more of the wrong path. Getting advice from wise people (like yourself!) ensures that we find the right path to follow.
Q: When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago.
Q: When is the second best time to plant a tree? TODAY!
Love your stuff!
23 Jul 2010 5:59 PM, Chris Mcutchen said:
Incredibly insightful... I hope I am that persistent puppy! Thanks for the vision of a new mindset.
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