I just got back from visiting Muir Woods National Monument in California, most notably known for its redwood trees.
The place is absolutely breathtaking. There’s a majestic tranquility about strolling under a 300ft canopy.
Here are a few pictures for scale:
How long does it take for a redwood to get to this size? According to the park ranger, the average age of a Muir redwood is between 600 to 800 years old.
Yet no matter its magnitude, each tree develops from a seed the size of a tomato; the most majestic things all have to start somewhere.
No one notices a redwood sapling. There’s no shade to be drawn from an infant seedling.
In business, and in life, you don’t earn much attention in the early days. Anyone can start something; only the committed can grow it into something worth noticing.
Give a seed sunlight, water it. Rinse. Repeat. Again and again. Slowly the roots take hold.
The hardest part of growing is creating consistency. Be long term, be disciplined, do the thing each day that feels like nothing’s happening, but always keep the flywheel turning. Sooner or later you’ll look up and be astounded by the canopy you’ve created.