When is an apple tree successful?
Paul White's nationally distributed syndicated column, “When is an apple tree successful?” is published in 22 publications across seven states. This includes the following newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News (MI), SFGate (CA), Seattle PI (WA), Connecticut Post (CT), Laredo Morning Times (TX), Huron Daily Tribune (MI), The Telegraph (IL), and more. In this article, Paul reflects on a personal experience when asked, "When is an apple tree successful?" He invites you to read his story and start your journey to creating an orchard based on the best of who you are and the gift of sharing with others!
My “life strategy” improved when a conference speaker asked the audience the following question: When is an apple tree successful? Here’s the story.
It’s certainly challenging when a person has the combination of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). I realized long ago that I was loaded with both and became obsessed (when I wasn’t distracted) with figuring out how I could turn this combination into a personality “gift” rather than a personality challenge.
My solution for ADD is that whenever I’m about to listen to someone speak, I always attempt to sit front and center to minimize potential distractions. My solution for OCD is to be properly prepared whenever I’m about to listen to someone speak with the ability to capture ideas and thought processes that I can study and think about later.
A while ago, I was preparing to attend a conference and familiarized myself with the speakers on the docket. The keynote speaker had an impressive resume, and I was excited to hear what she was going to share as she was the opening speech of the conference. The day finally came and, arriving early, I was able to sit in the front row of the auditorium right in front of where she would be speaking. I had my lined-paper tablet with 50 pages of blank sheets ready to go, two pens (in case one ran out of ink), two yellow highlighters, and two red pens that I could utilize to create stars next to ideas and thought processes I wanted to emphasize. Yes, I know I’m weird, but it works really well for me.
Right out of the gate she captured the audience’s attention with her unique spin on how we all process and utilize information that relates to the way we live our lives. The people in the audience were totally engaged and hanging on her every word when she shifted gears and engaged the audience with a question she wanted answered by one of us: “When is an apple tree successful?”
Believing I knew the obvious answer I threw up my hand like it came out of a slingshot. Being right in front of her, she noticed me first and said, “What’s your answer?" to which I confidently shouted so everyone in the auditorium could hear, “When it produces apples!” which she immediately responded “Wrong!”
Wrong? How could my answer be wrong? In a flash, my mind went back to my botany class, and I seemed to recall that an apple tree begins producing apples within three to five years of being planted and that some varieties will successfully produce apples for over 50 years. Wrong? I was still trying to sort it out in my mind when the speaker revealed the answer that blew me away.
“An apple tree is successful when it produces other apple trees!” she stated.
Yes, of course! I was wrong and she was totally right. My OCD kicked in and immediately recognized the logic behind her answer and followed up with how powerful this different thought process could be. I was right back in tune with her every word as she explained the possibilities associated with her answer (limitless and forever) versus my answer (limited and short term at best).
Think about it. Our past and current society has set up foundational processes that determine the immediate and short-term future needs regarding the work force. The needs are then communicated to the K-12 and higher educational systems. We need more welders, engineers, scientists, electricians, assembly-line workers, nurses, doctors and therapists. We need people to work in the nonprofit world, military, parks and recreation departments, green industries and more.
Growing up, all of us are encouraged to choose an occupation that has great potential for us to make a living and satisfy an important need rather than pursuing a path that may originate in our heart. Educational systems are designed to help the country move in a positive direction with their success determined by immediately placing graduating students in a position where they contribute to the greater good. But is that what we’re all put on this earth to accomplish if all our society wants from us is to produce ever-improving apples with ever-increasing production numbers? When we leave this earth is there any evidence we were ever here, or do they just replace us with the next apple-producing member of society? That seems so cold, doesn’t it?
That’s precisely where the “other apple trees” answer comes into play. Every person on this earth has the ability to not only produce apples, but to harvest the seeds they’ve produced with their unique skill sets, plant and nurture those seeds in others and build an orchard of apple trees that all originate from them.
Imagine if every child growing up was told “We’re going to teach you how to produce significant numbers of good apples that will contribute to the success of the society and additionally teach you to utilize your unique set of skills to help others with the wisdom and knowledge you've gained." You see, the “other apple trees” mindset has 10 times the impact on society that just producing apples has.
All our culture needs to do is impart this “life strategy” thought process on every student and every current worker and convince them that this could be their legacy (their orchard) that will keep contributing to society long after they’re gone. It’s simplistically logical. It can also have a powerful positive impact on a person’s well-being when they have a higher purpose to strive for.
Look, I need your help. The question “When is an apple tree successful?” is one that you should bring up in conversation at work, with friends, neighbors and relatives. Let’s create a movement where people value themselves more than just producing apples every day and one that allows them to elevate their own personal contribution to our society while creating a personal orchard that will serve the world forever. Heck, I could build a company’s entire culture on the foundation of this thought process. Are you with me? I sure hope you are. I continue to believe in you and your ability to create a vast orchard that will benefit all of humankind for eternity. GiddyUp!
In addition to being a nationally syndicated columnist, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. He offers self-help and culture development to start your journey towards consistent growth and joy. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.