Chinese Bamboo Tree

Have you heard of the Chinese Bamboo Tree? This particular tree takes five years to grow. But it doesn’t sprout out of the ground until the fifth year. Seed are sowed in the ground, watered, fertilized, and nurtured every day. But nothing happens in the first, second, third, or fourth year. It isn’t until the fifth year, within 5 weeks, it shoots out of the ground and grows 90 feet tall!

Did it take the tree 5 years or 5 weeks to grow?

It took 5 YEARS for it to grow. For if at any moment the seed were not taken care of, the tree would have died.

What does this teach us? It teaches us that in order to reach any goals you have set out for yourself; you need patience and faith. That the success you are working to attain can be found in your everyday habits. It can be frustrating at times if you see no progress towards your goal. Had the farmer dug up the ground to check the seeds growth, it would have stunted the growth of the bamboo tree.

One of the ways to set your goals is through SMART goals: Write it down what it is you want to achieve.

• Specific: Be clear and concise.
• Measurable: How are you going to track your progress?
• Achievable: Keep your goals realistic and attainable.
• Relevant: Does it align with your long-term objectives?
• Time sensitive: Set a realistic deadline.

The beauty of this is it applies to any goals you have set out for yourself. Keep watering your goals! Go on, CRUSH IT!

Posted by Suraj Gurung, Founder/Strength and Conditioning Coach