There is this interesting phenomenon I learnt very early in life. It had to do with the cultivation of grapes. The grape farmer uses a principle that we should all apply in our lives. When the grape is planted and begins to fruit, it brings out a large cluster of grapes. The cluster of grapes that spring out at times could be over 30. They all look beautiful and green. To a businessman, it’s very easy to start calculating the profit from these clusters, but not for a farmer who wants to develop choice grapes suitable for high value wines. For this grape farmer who intends to win a blue ribbon for his grape quality, 30 clusters on a tree will not serve his purpose.

From time to time he comes to this grape vine and cuts off some of the clusters, this is called pruning. Some are destroyed, but this allows the juices flowing from the roots to concentrate on fewer outlets. He keeps doing this from time to time until only 2 of those clusters remain on the tree. This two look beautiful and develop into big juicy looking grapes. They become a joy to behold by passersby; they begin to attract the attention of visitors and friends. The farmer gets more alert to wade away pests and thieves. Shortly to ripening however, the farmer goes ahead and still cuts away one of the grapes!

A life that will be prized, special, outstanding, attractive and blue ribboned will be focused. Pruning is prerequisite to growth. What is weak must be cut off, and what is strong must be given attention. This is the law of life for anyone who desires to stand for much and live a life beyond the ordinary. I believe that’s you.

Culled from Career Guide – Adeolu Akinyemi