You Don’t Get To The Moon By Climbing A Tree

When Sam Hinkie was the GM of the 76ers, he took a lot of crap for not making a big established signing and the way he hoarded draft picks. But, he let that roll off his back, because he had his sights on the long haul.

Here’s a quote he got famous for saying. Use it to keep yourself on track the next time you’ve got some distance to run and people are trying to get you to take a shortcut:

Some would have us go out and buy apples. But we want to build the whole orchard… [And] you don’t get to the moon by climbing a tree.

Anybody can go to the store and buy apples. We, however, are interested in planting an orchard. We’ll harvest our own apples eventually, and maybe even sell some to their precious stores.

And don’t for a second think that climbing the tree will take you to the moon. To get to the moon takes a rocket ship, so bring the right tools to the job. Not sure what tools will be needed? Start by finding the right perspective. Start by looking all the way forward to where you want to be.

Every act is an expense and/or an investment. Make more investments.