Pine Beatle Bugs and Fertilizer stakes… A Trail Tip

Driving through Rocky Mountain National Forest last summer, my wife and I were saddened to see the damage being caused by Pine Beatle bugs.  It was shocking to see how such a little bug can destroy such a large tree and a group of them can destroy a large area of a forest.

Which got me thinking about what are the little bugs in my daily routine that are destroying my productivity and as a group; are damaging my entire organization and reputation.  Here are some of the Pine Beatle Bugs I’ve seen at in my life.

• Multitasking during meetings.
• Being late for appointments and meetings.
• Not accepting or declining meeting invites, so others are left wondering if you will attend.
• Not responding to emails and text messages
• Not responding to phone calls
• Not backing up the files on your computer on a regular basis
• Not taking the time for training classes
• Keeping quiet during meetings to avoid issues that need to be addressed
• And the list can go on…

And while something small like a Pine Beatle Bug can destroy a tree, small fertilizer stakes can add growth, life to a tree, and over time help build up an entire organization and my reputation.  Here are some of the fertilizer stakes I’ve seen at work in my life:

• Taking time to write an email thank you to someone when they do a job well done.
• Paying attention to training sessions and actively contributing.
• Taking 10-minute power walks after long meetings to re-energize.
• Helping others outside your organization.
• Making the effort to meet in person with others.
• Attending meetings in person in conference rooms with others instead of staying in your office (can you say multitasking).
• Connecting with team members (who work in other locations) on Facebook to help build stronger virtual teams.

Here is a quote (from the TV show Elementary) that I’ve used in previous Trail Tips and bears worth repeating.  “The world is full of obvious things which no one by any chance has [initially] observed.”  So, what are the small things (Pine Beatle Bugs) that you need to start observing in your life and get rid?  And on the flip side, what are the fertilizer stake that need to plant in your life to cause long term consistent growth?