“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone (else) planted a tree a long time ago.” Warren Buffet

Financial genius Warren Buffet got it almost right. Everyone sitting in the shade today is because someone else planted a tree a long time ago. Not to be too critical because he had a nice thought there but the reality is what it is. Trees take an awful long time to mature but even after only a couple of years a tree can provide shade. It can also provide, food and shelter for birds and small animals and insects. It often seeds itself and lives far beyond the one who planted it.

Thanks for the nature lesson 240, where are you going with this? Glad you asked. There are many of you that know exactly where I’m going. Think of yourself as that tree planter in the past. Because at the job you have already planted trees that are growing right now. You planted some in fertile soil, on a hill, in the sunshine. You have planted them near water, in partial shade, deep with room for roots to grow but perhaps also you planted where there is not good drainage or where it’s overcrowded or too shady. That plant didn’t bloom like you hoped. Sometimes the plant just doesn’t have the strength and sometimes the gardener did not do his job either. Be aware of the power you possess as a gardener of young men and women. Every metaphor you can think of, for growing and nurturing a plant, you can apply to finding and inspiring an employee, a supervisor, a manager. They are the seed, you are the gardener. Remember that. Like it or not, you have the power to care for and to plant your team in a well watered, sunny, uncrowded field where they can bloom. Most will happen after you have gone, but you planted that seed. You had and have the power to plant more that will bring all their benefits to so many others.

Do this because it is good and right, because the plant does not remember the gardener, but the plant goes on and on, if the gardener did their job. OK, enough metaphors today. Whether you are working or off today, go plant something good as you Make Yours a GREAT DAY!!!