Every Company Needs a Good Map

What is it about weeds that we don't like?

Since summer is fast approaching, I guess I am thinking more about gardening that I usually do. Like most people, even if you don't garden, you don't like weeds. We are taught from a young age to see them as a sign of neglect, as a scourge, and as something to get rid of. I don't remember who said, "A weed is a flower in the wrong place" but I would argue that there are few places that any of us wants to see most weeds. (That quote was probably from Martha Stewart, who must be admired for doing her time without much of a fuss, whether or not it was justified. After that, she had to deal with Donald Trump. Paris Hilton will probably get off easy compared to that. But I digress. Or are we back to talking about weeds already? It's a Saturday post - hardly anyone reads these anyway.)

The funny thing is that weeds have many of the properties that we wish fruits, vegetables, or desirable flowers had. They grow almost anywhere. You don't need to plant them, or buy potted starters. They don't require much assistance. You don't even need a greenhouse. They are often hard to kill. (If you would like to do so in a safe and organic fashion, try some methods listed here.) They bloom quickly and they seem to have few pests that bother them. Sounds a lot like some sales people I know…
 

Perhaps it is the fact that weeds take no effort to cultivate that earns them the disrespect they receive. When something is easy, we do not admire the person who accomplishes the task. Try growing a tree that takes 5 or 10 years before it bears fruit and you will know what cultivate means. We admire the violinist or pianist who has practiced so long and hard to be able to play as they do. Those who can just sit down and play amaze us, but I am not sure we admire them. Should it matter? After all, if they both play equally well we should congratulate them; that is the objective isn't it?

Weeds crowd out and destroy the symmetry of a well-tended garden. Weeds do not smell nice. Weeds are disrespectful and pushy. Weeds are ugly and unpleasant in so many ways. Weeds expose our inattention to our surroundings. Weeds embarrass us. They undermine our authority by their very existence.

As you sit and contemplate the past week or the week ahead - see any weeds at work? Perhaps they are just planted in the wrong place and they just need to be moved. Maybe a few have been allowed to grow and have caused other weeds to sprout. Tending a garden is easier if it is done continually and not once or twice a year at review time.

One big difference between weeds and people - most people can change. If you find a good plant in the wrong place, then it can often be replanted. You don't waste time on weeds that are of no use. Root them out and move on.

Happy gardening!

I am off to New York City for a few days. I am not planning to deal with email during that time. I may have a blog post or two that will magically appear but responses to comments will have to wait for my return Tuesday night.

Great Maps are still being sought to be included in the Great Maps collection over on the book website.

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