Never let hours rot on the vine

Day lilies last for a single day. Apt name.

For one brief moment, you have an opportunity to enjoy them, and they are gone. It's a study in yield management. Perishable inventory.

For gardeners, like myself, my purchase opportunity - that moment when a bloom can be enjoyed - exists with or without me. Too often, it is without. The loss reminds me of the perishable nature of our business. Our time spent doing what we are exceptional at is our bloom. An hour spent not being exceptional is an hour lost. 

One might consider this a plea to work harder... to work efficient. It's not. I suggest a very different direction.

Choose some of your most valuable assets, and give them away.

Like picking a few flowers for a neighbor when you know you won't be there to enjoy them or can afford to share, a few hours donated to a noble cause is part of what we can do. Part of what we should do.

It was popular five years ago during the downturn. We all had spare time - not by choice. I, like many, made the case to donate time to worthy causes rather than let those hours be wasted. To let our blooms pass unnoticed. Today, we are flush with business, again. But our community's needs still exist. We can still serve. 

Consider your time. Envision that flower burst open, wilt and pass without ever contributing happiness to the senses. It's a shame. Now, imagine sharing it with someone in who's life it would make a world of difference.

Today, many of our gardens are in full bloom.... Choose to give some of your hours, some of your blooms. Every community organization can benefit from the advice of a great communicator, a creative, a writer.... Bring a bouquet of your exceptional service to a neighbor.