I’ve met many successful Bamboo Farmers throughout my life, many of which I interviewed on my podcast. What makes them so successful compared to someone who might not have the same level of success is that Bamboo Farmers water persistently.
Bamboo Farmers know there’s no guarantee that their bamboo will grow, but they keep at it anyway. This is because they have discipline and a vision for where they are going.
Unsuccessful people let FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) keep them from watering regularly. If you’re in that camp, read about the ten ways Bamboo Farmers persistently water their bamboo.
Have a Strong Vision
Keep your eye on your ‘why’ and your vision, and it will help you keep going. If you don’t have a vision for what your bamboo is, how to grow it, or why you’re doing it, it’s going to be hard to be persistent. So be clear about what you want.
Develop a Bamboo Circle
Have a robust and powerful Bamboo Circle around you to help keep you accountable. These fellow Bamboo Farmers will support you, challenge you, and help you grow. Surround yourself with people who operate at your level and higher. In the next five years, you're going to be exactly who you are today except for the books you read and the people you hang out with along the way, so make sure the good ones are around you.
Limit the Number of Bamboo You’re Watering
I frequently see people having too many goals. And when you have too many, it’s like having none at all. If you have too much to do, it’s really hard to focus and go deep on watering your main goal.
Befriend Your Calendar
Use your calendar to put only the most essential things on your radar. I do my best to get the most important things done before 11 am every day. I find it helpful to put my watering time on my calendar first thing before the day gets taken over.
Get the Tools You Need to Water
Get your tools ready to make sure there are no excuses not to water. If you plan to exercise, set out your clothes the night before and set the alarm. If you plan to write, make sure to charge your computer or sharpen your pencils and get your notebook out.
Measure Your Watering Efforts
Don’t measure the growth of the bamboo, instead measure the time you put into watering the bamboo. Develop a way to track and measure your watering effort. If you are persistent with the watering, the bamboo will take care of itself.
Make the Watering Fun
Watering can be tedious and monotonous, so do your best to make it fun. It’s imperative to enjoy and love the process of watering. If you are able to find a way to make the watering fun, you won’t work another day in your life.
Block out Chunks of Time for Watering
The best way to spend time watering is to do it in small chunks of time. So use tip #4 to block out the time in your calendar and focus on watering for the time you blocked off. Bamboo growth is a marathon, but the watering process is more like a sprint.
Water When You Feel Like It; But it Must Be Every Single Day
Your bamboo doesn’t care how you feel. If you neglect to water your bamboo, it will eventually die, and I know you don’t want that. We’re all going through something, and there will be times we don’t feel like watering but don’t quit. Take a breath and vow to start watering again.
There’s No Whining on the Bamboo Farm
Whining is not going to help you win. Instead, show up for the thing you desire the most and keep watering. No excuses!
Bonus:
There are no shortcuts on the Bamboo Farm. If you already have an idea about what it takes to be successful, spend zero time looking for shortcuts. Don’t overthink it or overcomplicate it: Leaders lead, Parents parent, Coaches coach, Writers write, Speakers speak, Singers sing, etc. Keep Watering!
This post is based on a podcast episode by Greg Bell.
Listen below for the full episode: