growth

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Everything You Love or Like Needs Maintenance

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Everything You Love or Like Needs Maintenance

Consider the regular maintenance required for things we depend on: cars need oil changes, homes require upkeep, smartphones need software updates, and our bodies need exercise and nutrition. 


We often neglect these essential tasks until something breaks down. However, proactive maintenance can prevent these breakdowns. While maintenance may seem mundane, it's the unseen effort that ensures everything functions optimally. If we value something, we should prioritize its upkeep. If you care about it, keeping it in top shape is worth the effort.

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Putting On Your Blinders: The Power of Focus in a Distracted World

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Putting On Your Blinders: The Power of Focus in a Distracted World

As a young boy growing up on a farm in East Texas, I used to watch my grandfather plow his fields with a mule. That mule was wild and restless every morning, eager to dash in any direction except the one intended. But my grandfather had a secret: he put blinders on the mule. Those blinders blocked out distractions, allowing the mule to focus solely on the path ahead.

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Overcoming the Negaholic Within: Cultivating Positivity on Your Bamboo Journey

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Overcoming the Negaholic Within: Cultivating Positivity on Your Bamboo Journey

As bamboo farmers dedicated to nurturing our dreams, we often focus on external challenges—weathering storms, tending to our crops, and waiting patiently for spectacular growth. But what about the internal challenges that threaten our progress? Today, I want to address a silent saboteur that lurks within us all: the "negaholic."

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Mastering the 80/20 Rule for Bamboo Growth and Life Balance

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Mastering the 80/20 Rule for Bamboo Growth and Life Balance

What if I told you that focusing on just 20% of your efforts could lead to 80% of your desired results? Imagine discovering a secret that not only simplifies your life but also accelerates your personal and professional growth. Today, I'd like to introduce you to a powerful principle that can revolutionize how you nurture your potential and achieve your goals: the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule.

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7 Tips to Embrace the Messiness

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7 Tips to Embrace the Messiness

One of the concepts I'm passionate about is helping individuals and leaders manage their chaos and pain as they strive to water their bamboo. When it comes to change, things can get messy. I often say, "It's messy in the garden," and this idea perfectly encapsulates the process of planting and nurturing our dreams--but there will be weeds and dirt along the way we need to address.

Embracing the Silence: The Power of a Bamboo Retreat

Embracing the Silence: The Power of a Bamboo Retreat

Taking a personal retreat seems like a distant luxury in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Yet, the true essence of a Bamboo Retreat lies not in running away from life’s obligations but in the journey toward self-discovery and rejuvenation. Having experienced and witnessed the transformative power of such retreats, I know that embracing this practice can be a pivotal point in your personal and professional growth.

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How the Bamboo Farmer Deals with Imposter Syndrome

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How the Bamboo Farmer Deals with Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a feeling or experience where an individual feels undeserving of their position or accomplishments. It is not a medical syndrome but rather a tendency that can impact an individual's confidence and ability to succeed. Imposter syndrome can cause people to procrastinate, not apply for jobs they are qualified for, or avoid taking on new projects.

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Simplify! ASAP

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Simplify! ASAP

When you’re watering your bamboo in your career and life, it’s a good idea to simplify, otherwise you’ll have no energy left for watering your Bamboo. Think of it as weeding the Bamboo Garden. You don’t want weeds because they will take all the nutrients your bamboo needs to grow. If you feel overworked and overcommitted, you won’t have the energy and desire to accomplish your goals, so you must simplify.

Orlando Williams on Starting, Pivoting Careers, and Overcoming Tragedy

Orlando Williams on Starting, Pivoting Careers, and Overcoming Tragedy

In this incredible Water the Bamboo story, you’ll hear from Orlando Williams about his pivot from professional athlete to business owner, why he’s so intentional about everything he does, and why he encourages people to get started.

D’Wayne Edwards on Design, Loving Work, and Reimagining Education

D’Wayne Edwards on Design, Loving Work, and Reimagining Education

Since he was a child, D’Wayne Edwards has had an incredible gift to draw what he sees. At age 17, he won a Reebok design competition, beating out professionals and college students nationwide. Since then, D’Wayne has built an incredible career and reputation as an elite designer and creative.

In this episode, you’ll hear D’Wayne’s Water the Bamboo story about how he built his career and eventually launched his own design school during a sabbatical at Nike.

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Why Delaying Gratification is a Predictor of Future Success

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Why Delaying Gratification is a Predictor of Future Success

One of the essential concepts from Water the Bamboo is delaying gratification. Our society is plagued with instant gratification--we have one-click shopping on Amazon, instant movies on Netflix, and so many other examples where we have instant access and availability to what we want in the moment.

Dawn Rasmussen on Rebuilding Your Career for Marketability

Dawn Rasmussen on Rebuilding Your Career for Marketability

Dawn Rasmussen knows that when something scares you bad enough, you should probably run towards it. And that’s what she encourages people to do when it comes to their careers.

Making a career change is scary and challenging for so many people, and this episode with Dawn Rasmussen will give you the energy and strength you need to progress or rebuild your career.

Marc Patrick, Global Marketing Leader at Beyond Meat on work ethic, continuous learning, and not being distracted by shiny objects

Marc Patrick, Global Marketing Leader at Beyond Meat on work ethic, continuous learning, and not being distracted by shiny objects

Marc Patrick began his career as a receptionist, answering and redirecting calls, and now he’s a global brand and marketing leader at Beyond Meat.

So, how did he get here?

In this episode, you’ll hear how Marc’s work ethic and Bamboo Circle played key roles in his career growth, and why he will never stop learning and growing.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the world’s brightest marketing leaders.

Milwaukee Bucks Guard Pat Connaughton on Putting in the Work When No One is Watching and Creating a Legacy Bigger Than Himself

Milwaukee Bucks Guard Pat Connaughton on Putting in the Work When No One is Watching and Creating a Legacy Bigger Than Himself

In this episode, you will hear from Pat Connaughton, a current NBA player with the Milwaukee Bucks, and former Portland Trailblazer shooting guard on how he used an ultimatum from his dad in high school about whether to work construction or train from 9 am to 3 pm to grow his sports career in baseball and basketball.

3x Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Boxx on focusing on one thing, perfectionism, and overcoming adversity

3x Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Boxx on focusing on one thing, perfectionism, and overcoming adversity

In this episode, you’ll hear how Shannon Boxx went from a good soccer player to great, and how she learned to focus on one thing at a time in order to achieve her goals. During her professional career, Boxx also was dealing with an autoimmune disease called Lupus, and she’ll share how she has overcome that diagnosis and is still battling it.

Don't Waste this "Winter"

Don't Waste this "Winter"

Covid-19 has had a tremendous impact on all our lives. It has created what some call the “Great Pause.” The Bamboo Farmer views this situation as the winter season rather than a pause. Although it is unclear when this winter will be over, at some point, it will end.

Making a Weakness a Strength

Making a Weakness a Strength

I believe you should use most of your time and energy focusing on your strengths. However, leaders must reserve some time to improve their weaknesses.  

The first step in any improvement is awareness. It is difficult, if not impossible, to improve weaknesses if you are not aware of it. Seeing yourself in action or paying close attention can help you identify your weaknesses. Getting honest feedback from those you respect is a gift, so receive feedback with an open mind. However, if you receive a singular piece of feedback from someone, verify it with others as well since feedback is subjective.