There Was This Tree

Written by Toña Morales-Calkins on Nov 18, 2008 11:02 pm

Read More: Law of Attraction | Personal Development

My brother-in-law grew up in sunny Southern California. When he was seven years old, he got to go to the local mountains for his first "snow day." He was so excited in the days approaching the planned trip that he could hardly think of anything else. He planned to build a snowman and have a snowball fight and do some sledding. It was going to be great!

Finally, the big day came. He was up early, cleaned his room and ate his breakfast in record time. He didn't really think he'd need all the extra clothes his mother made him take along, but he cooperated so things would go faster getting on the road. At last, he waved good-bye to his folks from the back of the van with the other kids who were going.

At first, things went great! The snowman was really cool. He had a pine cone for a nose instead of a carrot, and rocks for buttons instead of coal. But, he also had a great looking snow cap. The snowball fight featured a snow fort and his team won. And then, after hot chocolate, came the highlight of the day: sledding. He was sure this would be even better than the day had been so far.

But, there was this tree on the hill. Just as he got onto his sled for the first time, at the top of the hill, poised to go down, my young brother-in-law saw someone crash into a tree about halfway down. The other sledder got up from the snow with a bloody nose. He dragged his sled back up the hill and went to the first aid station. My brother-in-law decided that he would avoid that tree at all costs.

Boldly, he pushed off for his first ride. And headed straight for the tree. He jumped off the sled just before it hit the tree. Determinedly, he took the sled back up the hill for another ride. And headed straight for the tree. By the sixth time his ride ended at that tree, he was ready to give up sledding for life.

You see, he had let the tree become his focus. And because he was focused on it, he never made it past the tree to complete his ride down the hill. He missed that wind in your face, bumping and sliding, picking up speed as you go along exhiliration that sledding can be.

He quit sledding and sat down to watch the others when he got too cold and wet to go on. After he'd used up all the extra clothes his mom had sent. To this day, whenever he remembers that trip to the snow, he says, "there was this tree."

Life is like that, and so is business. If we focus on the trees, we miss the ride. If we focus on the bottom of the hill, we get an adventure and the will to get up there and do it again.

Some days, there seem to be lots of trees on the hill. Some days not so many. On the lots of trees days, maybe we should switch to skis and learn to slalom. Or maybe we should just keep focused on the bottom of the hill and go for it. One way or the other, we've all got to get past a tree or two.

So, when you're comtemplating where you're headed with your business, remember my brother-in-law. Don't let your story start or end with "there was this tree."