We live in a culture that worships the finish line.
Numbers. Trophies. Milestones.
But here’s the truth: growth doesn’t happen in the spotlight moment. It happens in the shadows. The real prize isn’t in crossing the line. The real prize is becoming the kind of person who shows up, day after day, watering your bamboo even when nothing seems to grow.
Bamboo farmers know this better than anyone. For years after planting, nothing appears above the surface. But underground, an incredible network of roots is forming, preparing for explosive growth. The breakthrough happens because of years of unseen care and attention.
If you want to achieve your own “bamboo growth,” here are five ways to focus on the process instead of just the results:
1. Plant Deep Roots
Your daily habits and routines are your root system. Your consistency creates a foundation for future growth, even if you can’t see results yet.
2. Water Daily
Bamboo doesn’t grow without regular watering, and neither do your goals. Show up for your process every day, rain or shine—the small, steady effort compounds.
3. Trust the Seasons
Not all growth is visible right away. There will be seasons of planting, seasons of tending, and seasons of rapid growth. Trust the timing.
4. Focus on Your Grove, Not Just One Shoot
Just as bamboo grows in clusters, remember that your progress isn’t about a single win, it’s about the overall health of your life and work. Don’t neglect the other areas that feed your success.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
When new growth appears—no matter how small—acknowledge it, because early signs of progress are proof that the process is working.
When you fall in love with the process, the results will come; often, they’ll be bigger than you imagined.
This message is at the heart of my book, Water the Bamboo: Unleashing the Potential of Teams and Individuals, and it’s a lesson I love sharing in my keynotes and workshops with leaders, teams, and organizations.
If you’re ready to grow your own bamboo forest—one day at a time—let’s start: