The Parable of The Farmer and the Bamboo Tree

In a sleepy village, a farmer named Taro was famous for his patience. One spring, he planted two types of seeds: fast-growing vegetables and a rare bamboo.

The vegetables sprouted within a week. Neighbors praised his green thumb as they watched the rows flourish. But his bamboo tree showed no sign of life.

Weeks passed. Then months. Still, nothing.

“Why do you waste time with dead soil?” the neighbors said. “Plant something that grows!”

How they laughed at poor Taro.

But he kept watering the bamboo patch every day. Quietly. Without complaint.

A year passed. Still, no shoots. The villagers laughed. “Foolish old man,” they said.

By the fifth year, something remarkable happened. The ground cracked, and a slender green shoot burst through. Then, day by day, it shot up, growing feet at a time. Within weeks, the bamboo stood taller than every tree in the village.

“What magic is this?” said his jealous neighbours.

“For five years, it grew underground,“ said Taro. ”Roots, strong enough to support a lifetime. I didn’t grow the bamboo. I just made sure the conditions were right.”

I spent the past few days writing to you about the Zettelkästen Method.

It’s a little like planting a bamboo tree. Unlike AI, you won’t see the results at once. It takes time and patience, although not five years!.

Each day, you plant small seeds—capturing interesting ideas, writing connections between your notes, and adding context.

Over time, your connections form an underground network, and one day, fully formed insights spring up. It’ll look and sound nothing like what AI can spit out.

Because you’ve come up with something unique.

Now, enough fun parables:

I’ve created an actionable course for creators who need help organizing their ideas and turning them into content.

It’s called The Zettelkästen Method for Creators​

Inside, can watch over-the-shoulder tutorials for starting and using a Zettelkästen. I explain exactly what it is and why it’s been around for over 300 years.

I’ll show you how to set one up, what to put inside it, and how to turn your ideas into content, articles, books, and more. I also cover all the tools and apps you need.

I rely on this method to write this newsletter, amongst other things. It takes me about 15-30 minutes per day to maintain, sometimes less.

If creativity is something you value, you need a Zettelkästen.

It’s fun too.

Don’t let the terminology put you off. I’m running live training for Zettelkästen students this May. You can AMA on the recorded call. This course also includes a companion course, Conquer Writer’s Block.

Here’s what just one student, Faisal, said:

Check it out The Zettelkästen Method for Creators​

It’s open until Saturday night.

Then, I’ll slam the doors for a bit and get back to thumbing through my battered old copy of Aesop’s Fables.

If you’ve questions, write in and ask.