Rewards are usually in direct proportion to the value you create. Focus on value, not just results, and the rewards will follow.
Picture yourself as a gardener in a vast, vibrant garden. Your task is to nurture and grow the most exquisite plants and flowers. Some gardeners around you are hyper-focused on the number of flowers they can produce. They count each bloom, measure their success by the quantity, and often, they rush the process, seeking immediate gratification. However, you choose a different path. You understand that the true beauty and reward of gardening lie not just in the number of flowers but in the care, creativity, and value each plant brings to the garden. You focus on the quality of the soil, the nourishment of each seed, and the artistry in arranging your garden. This, my friend, is a metaphor for life and the essence of our quote.
In the world's vast garden, we're often caught measuring success by tangible results - the number of accolades, the size of our bank accounts, the positions we hold. Yet, the quote whispers a profound truth: "Rewards are usually in direct proportion to the value you create. Focus on value, not just results, and the rewards will follow." It's a gentle reminder that true success, lasting achievements, and real satisfaction come from the value we add to the world, not just the outcomes we produce.
Consider a teacher who not only imparts knowledge but inspires curiosity, creativity, and confidence in their students. This teacher may not see immediate results in test scores, but the value they've created in shaping young minds and hearts is immeasurable. Years later, the seeds of wisdom and encouragement they've planted bloom into successful, compassionate adults. The teacher's rewards are not just in the accolades or achievements but in the knowledge that they've contributed something invaluable to the world.
Or think of a small business owner who crafts products with care and integrity, focusing not on mass production but on the value each item brings to their customers' lives. This approach might not yield quick profits, but it builds a loyal customer base, a respected brand, and a fulfilling career. The rewards come, perhaps slower, but they're richer and more sustainable because they're rooted in genuine value.
This lesson is a call to shift our focus from the superficial to the substantial, from the fleeting to the foundational. It's about investing our efforts in creating value that stands the test of time, touches lives, and makes a real difference. When we do this, the rewards we seek - be they personal satisfaction, professional recognition, or financial success - naturally follow. They follow not as the goal but as the by-product of our commitment to adding value to the world around us.
So, as you navigate the garden of life, ask yourself: How can I focus more on creating value today? Whether in your job, your relationships, or your personal growth, remember that the most beautiful rewards often bloom from the seeds of value we plant and nurture with care and passion.
* If you're looking for more inspiration to help you on your personal development journey, you may want to check out my extensive list of SMART goals. This page is packed with thousands of different goal ideas that can help you set new aspirations and reach higher heights in your life. Personally, this page helped me to create my own 100 life goals list, which I pursued for over a decade.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
