Pruning is a power tool for boosting morale and productivity – yours and your team’s. It helps those who feel they have 2 little time. Making it easier to get 2 goal. And for those of you in search of ways to be a better manager, knowing how and when to prune, teaching others the same and empowering them to do so, will make you a better manager. It may even make you a hero in their eyes.
I came to understand the power of pruning about 20 years ago when Jennifer came to work as my assistant.
During her first week of work – she came into my office with her scissors and started cutting my plants. A snip here, a snip there. And then on one – she snipped and snipped – cutting it all the way down to the dirt.
I gasped! and said, “Jennifer! No! “
“Jan”, she said, “ the leaves are dead! You killed them. Now I’m going to keep you from killing the roots.”
“But Jennifer – it just needs some water!”
“No it doesn’t need water. You were drowning it by giving it more water!”
I stared in disbelief as I said to myself, “There is no way that plant is ever coming back.”
Then I remembered back to when I was a little girl – when Dad cut the holly bushes way back – way back – so that nothing green remained. I couldn’t believe he did it! Those beautiful green leaves and red berries. But they grew back and were even prettier than before!
Over the next few weeks, that memory gave me faith whenever I glanced over at the plant Jennifer had butchered.
And just like the holly bushes – my plant did grow back and it was fuller, greener and shinier than ever.
The same thing is true in life and in business. When some parts of your life seem out of control, gangly, a bit wilted, or even dead… try pruning.
Sometimes a snip here or there will do. Sometimes a the lopping sheers are needed.
By cutting back, you can concentrate your energy into fewer areas. And just like a plant – get fresh, new growth.
Where can you cut back so that you can enjoy re-newed energy and growth?
Start a list. Keep adding to it.
If you need additional ideas, see our Quick List: 10 Things to Prune in Your Business.
See Thought/Discussion Questions at the bottom of Quote of the Week: On Pruning. While you are there, download the Quote of the Week for your computer screen. It will serve as a helpful and reinforcing reminder.
The Quote of the Week is from the 2 Little Time section of our Quote Library which contains over 130 motivational quotes for business. Valuable business tools, ready to post, print and share – available for free right here in our Quote Library.
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