Truth about trees

A friend, Verna Higgins, recently dropped off a beautiful photo of a single, full-foliaged tree against a lovely blue sky.  It was taken right here in Greenbrier—the tree is off Merritt Rd.  I plan to do a drive by and see it next time I visit members north of town.

Then almost 2 weeks ago, before the tornados and monsoon season, I went over to my parent’s place in Springhill and saw them working with a friend’s Kubota, gleefully tearing out underbrush and felling some of the thick timber that’s started to crowd the lawn.  It’s barely May, and they already have all the firewood we’ll need for two winters!  My parents are very hardworking folks and seem to get things done way ahead of schedule on a regular basis. (I’m still learning this principle.)

All this to say, I’ve been thinking about trees lately– the limey new leaves at the tips of tender branches, tiny, intense pops of color on the redbuds and now, just recently, the faint pinkish blush of the Dogwoods.  How I love the Dogwoods!

The thing is, there were never Dogwoods blooming at my parent’s place before.  The trees were there, but it took a thinning of the forest for them to get the light and space they needed to bloom.  Even if they had burst forth in all their glory—we could scarcely see the trees for the forest.

I think in business we are too often a tree among a forest of others.  We’re doing things the way the rest of our industry sector does them for fear of being singled out or maybe—perhaps more often–because of pure laziness.  After all, it’s much easier to do what someone else has been doing moderately well for the last decade than to actually put the effort into doing something truly great.  In standing alone, you will be able to bloom!

My challenge to my chamber members and community friends this month is to be distinctive—look at your business plan and figure out what makes you different from the other providers out there. What makes you tick? Where have you made a difference? What can you show off right now?

You can start being distinctive right now.  You don’t need to wait for someone to give you a green light and permission to shine.  Apply this principal to your current position and get ready to be more successful that you have ever been. Stand alone—even if it takes a transplant. Allow your business the room to be truly great.