Legend has it that in a forgotten valley nestled between rolling hills, a magnificent golden fruit tree stood at the heart of a small village.
Every year, its branches overflowed with plump, golden fruit, a source of both sustenance and joy for the villagers.
For generations, the villagers revered the tree, tending to its needs with utmost care. They watered its roots with reverence, pruned its branches with respect, and nurtured the soil with rich compost.
Which resulted into a bountiful harvest each year, a testament to their dedication.
One year, a particularly more bountiful harvest lulled the villagers into complacency. Blinded by the abundance, they took the tree's generosity for granted. Their focus shifted solely to the fruit itself – its size, its quantity, and the wealth it brought.
The following year, the villagers awoke to a shocking sight at the day of the harvest. The once-proud tree bore a meager handful of fruit, its leaves dull and lifeless.
Panic swept through the village and they all frantically shook the branches, hoping for more fruit to fall. Some even proposed sacrificing their meager belongings to appease the tree.
Just then, an old woman, known for her wisdom, stepped forward and said "The tree gives," she said, "because we have given to it. Its bounty is a reflection of our care, not a magical well to be plundered."
Shamefaced, the villagers rallied. They renewed their commitment, showering the tree with love and care. Slowly, the tree responded.
The leaves regained their luster, and the next year, the golden fruit returned, more abundant than ever before.
The Short-Sighted Pursuit of Results
Like the villagers in the story above, we can sometimes fall victim to a focus on "output myopia".
Initially, the villagers thrived because they prioritized the well-being of the tree. Watering, pruning, and nourishing the soil (input) were all essential practices that laid the foundation for future harvests (growth).
Later on and blinded by the never ever seen before abundance, they became fixated solely on the fruit itself. This represents a dangerous shift from input (care for the tree) to output (the fruit harvest).
We can fall into a similar trap, overly fixated on short-term results over the long-term investments that fuel sustainable growth. This short-sighted mentality, which we can call "output myopia," can hinder our ability to keep the momentum of growth going.
The consequences of neglecting the input became clear when the once-bountiful harvest dwindles. The neglected tree, starved of care, produces a meager yield.
This symbolizes the stagnation that sets in when we prioritize outcome over input. We might try working longer hours, cutting corners, or chasing quick fixes.
But these attempts to manipulate the outcome are ultimately futile. Because they fail to address the root cause of the problem: the lack of focus on the essential inputs that fuel long-term growth.
Prioritizing The Right Inputs
The wise woman in the story offers the key to unlocking renewed growth. Her words, "The tree gives because we have given to it," highlights the fundamental truth that growth is not a one-time thing but a continuous process built on consistent effort.
The main lesson from the story is that true growth is a cycle, fueled by the seeds of dedication(input) we sow today, not the fruits(outcome) we reap tomorrow.
In our own lives, this translates to refocusing on the essential practices that create, foster or nurture growth.
Perhaps, investing in skills development, building strong relationships, and a culture of innovation, as in refining inputs to unlock the next level of growth.
By simply prioritizing the right inputs, we lay the groundwork for growth that will continue to bear fruit for years to come.
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