One of the interesting phenomena of nature is the giant sequoia tree, which is the largest living organism on earth, reaching into the heavens nearly 300 feet. One of them can produce enough lumber to build 35 five-room homes, and you can drive an automobile through the trunks of some.

Most of us would suspect that anything this size would have roots that would extend halfway to China, but such is not the case. Many of the roots are aboveground, and others extend only a few inches beneath the surface. Interestingly enough, you never will see a giant sequoia growing in isolation; they're always in groves. Their roots are intermingled with the roots of other giant sequoias, so each one draws strength from many others.

That's teamwork, which is the key to success in virtually every field of endeavor. Even superstar athletes need coaches and support people. Singers and dancers need choreographers, writers, musicians, managers and staffs. Any business, from the switchboard operator to the shipping department, must function as a team for maximum results.

As a child, I read a story of a father who called his six sons together and gave each of them a relatively small stick to break, which they easily did. Next, he took six sticks, wrapped a piece of cloth around them and asked the sons to break all six at the same time. They could not break the bundle, and the father said to them, "That's the way it is with our family. Individually, you have a limited amount of strength, but when all of you pull together, stay together and work together, you will be able to draw from one another's strength and collectively do much more."

Follow that philosophy with your team, whether the team is your family, an athletic team or a business, and I'll see you at the top!

Yesterday's Problems vs.

Tomorrow's Hopes

The dictionary says a "problem" is a question, especially a difficult question, a matter of doubt or a difficulty. As I read the definition of "problem," I'm certain that the dictionary, as far as identification is concerned, is correct. However, I prefer to think of a problem as an opportunity. Obviously, this is not true in 100 percent of the cases, but the reality is that most opportunities would not come if there were no problems.

If there were no desire or need to communicate with anyone else, there would be no telephones or Internet today, and millions of people would not have jobs. If there were no need or desire to visit our distant friends and relatives, there would be no need for highways, service stations, automobiles or manufacturing plants. Consequently, millions of jobs would not be necessary. If there were no illness or disease, millions of health care workers would not have jobs. Perhaps of more significance, if those diseases and illnesses did not exist, there would be no research and development, which goes on constantly as man continues to search for solutions to problems. If all of us were born knowing everything we needed to know, the millions of books and educators who teach people to read would have no purpose or profession. From a personal point of view, if there were no need for training, motivation and encouragement, I would be in another profession.

What I'm saying is that if we look at whatever problems we have, or others have, and ask ourselves what opportunities the problems offer, we will have a better chance of solving the problems and perhaps even making a career out of solving other people's problems. I believe Benjamin Franklin would have called that "self-reliance," and that is certainly something we need more of today. Think about it. Look at every problem as an opportunity, and I'll see you at the top!

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free e-mail newsletter through info@zigziglar.com.

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