#161 lily pads

Q:  There is one lily pad floating on a pond.  Every day the number of lily pads in the pond will double.  If it will take one month to cover the entire pond with lily pads, on what day will the pond be half-covered?

A:  On the 29th day
If this was a change initiative project, everyone who wasn't directly involved in the implementation would be "wowed" on day 30 when the full effort was unveiled.  People think that change happens in big increments instead of a series of small ones, and it is this illusion that allows change to take on mythical powers.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Change happens in little steps, often involving a lot of grunt work, do-overs, trial & error and frustrations.  Only after enough persistence in this mode does a true "breakthrough" occur.  

Change is not lofty.  Change is not mysterious.  Change is not caused by those who are lucky. Change happens because everyday people put in the effort, over time, to take baby steps toward a goal.  They connect the dots.

Today is Day 1.  What steps are you taking to fill your pond on Day 30 (or 300)?

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com