I had a rock tumbler when I was younger.

For those who have not heard of it, it’s a small cylinder that spins or tumbles. You put stones in it with some small pebbles that wear down and smooth your stones.  

You leave it running for a few days.

When it’s done you have some beautiful smooth stones and you add to your rock collection.

I was thinking of this lately and why I enjoyed it.

1. Taking something from rough form
2. Investing in it over time
3. The anxiety and excitement of what will result
4. The reveal and pride in what you produced

It made me think of how people invested in me and now transitioning to how I invest in other people.

1. You have a valuable rough young resource you are responsible for
2. You listen, you coach, you advise 
3. You ride the emotional coaster of some success, failure and growth
4. You graduate someone you manage or mentor into the next state of their career

The stone continues to tumble, get smoother and shine.

Defeating Average one tumble at a time.

Colin