Grow Where You Are Planted

Grow Where You’re PlantedIt’s easy to believe we’ll give our best effort when the right opportunity comes along. The better job. The better boss. The better circumstances.But growth doesn’t work that way.One of my mentors taught me the principle of deferred compensation: sometimes the greatest payment for the work we do today isn’t found in today’s paycheck. It’s found in the skills, discipline, experience, relationships, and reputation we’re building for tomorrow.Wherever you are right now, learn everything you can. Take on difficult assignments. Solve problems. Become more valuable. Give more than the minimum required.You may eventually leave the place where you were planted—but you should leave it having grown.Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to become the person capable of handling it.Grow where you’re planted. Your next opportunity may depend on who you become while you’re there.