Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman on September 26, 1774. He was an American pioneer nurseryman and missionary who became an American legend while still living, not only because of his great leadership in conservation, but also because of his kind and generous ways.
Johnny, of course, gained fame because of his penchant for growing apple trees. His life and the legend that surrounds it make interesting reading-and some great financial lessons.
1. Johnny pursued his dreams.
Growing up on a small farm in Massachusetts, Johnny’s favorite place was his father’s apple orchard. Not surprisingly, he loved the apples. When settlers passed by with tales of fertile soils, he became inspired to plant apple seeds throughout the frontier. At 18, Johnny went west to pursue his dream.
How about you? What is your dream? Are you actively pursuing it? If not, what is holding you back?
2. Johnny had a plan.
Whereas the popular perception of Johnny Appleseed is a man who strolled along broadcasting appleseeds willy nilly, he was actually quite organized. Having been apprenticed as an orchardist, Johnny planted nurseries, built fences around them to protect them from livestock and left the nurseries in the care of a neighbor who sold trees on shares. Johnny would then return every year or two to tend the nursery and settle up with the nursery caretaker. Appleseed would often barter, accepting corn meal, cash or used clothing as means of payment.
Do you have a plan that will allow you to monetize your dreams? If so, how is your plan progressing? If not, why not? Hint: offer to buy lunch for someone who is already doing what you dream of doing. Ask this person to share how he built his business. Learn and keep notes. Of course if you might be competing directly with this person, find someone who lives outside of the competition radius.
3. Johnny used ingenuity
Johnny shrewdly realized that more apple trees would bring more business to the cider mills, so he negotiated with them for free apple seeds.
Do you think outside the box? Samuel Brannon became California’s first millionaire during the gold rush of the late 1840s, but not by panning for gold. Brannon sold shovels, picks and supplies to the wide eyed miners. Is it possible that an ingenious solution for your dilemma is right in front of you?
4. Johnny was generous
Life is not all about getting. It is also about giving. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Johnny Appleseed may have been generous to a fault . . . he wore the most ragged of the clothing he received in barter, giving the best to others. He seldom wore shoes. Because he had no home to maintain, he had more to give.
Are you generous? Where does “giving” rate in your budget? Here is a thought: put giving first then learn to live on what is left after you give. God will help you do so.
5. Johnny lived on less than he made.
He might not have made much, but with his frugal life style he needed little. Appleseed managed his money well, generally keeping enough with him to pay his way and give to all he deemed needy.
Do you live on less than you make? If not, have you cut your lifestyle to the bare bones? I am not recommending that you go without shoes, but eating out, driving new cars and paying for satellite TV don’t fit when you are spending more than you make.
6. Johnny stuck with it.
Appleseed began planting apple trees when he was 18 years old; he was still doing so at the time of his death at age 70.
Do you stick with it? When pursuing your passion, have you given up prematurely? There is no such thing as an overnight success . . . Author Malcolm Gladwell, in his book “Outliers: The Story of Success
Summary
Johnny Appleseed is not your typical entrepreneur, but he was nevertheless very successful. He was a man of his own mind; he did what he loved, he was ingenious, generous and loved by all. His life made a difference as he changed his world. If you follow those same life principles, you too will make a difference in your world.
What specific attributes of Johnny Appleseed would you like to further develop in your own life?
Photo by gwen
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d like to develop more of a giving heart.
And I’d like to develop perseverance in reaching my dreams as well. I’d like to build a successful blog and monetize it eventually, but I know it takes time.
I heard about that 10,000 hour rule from Gladwell’s book, and it’s both comforting and challenging at the same time. Comforting because it shows that most successes don’t happen overnight. Challenging because it speaks of the need to persevere.
Thanks for the post!
Thank you for sharing. I always like these case study type posts. It’s a little more personal… and I get a refresher on my history as well.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Giving I have down, maybe too much (not really)…but only when I don’t live on less than what I make. Like, sometimes we get into a giving mode and we don’t take the necessary steps to cover our bases first….like take care of home first. Something we are working on.
@Darren,
Great goals. I agree the 10,000 hour rule can be both encouraging and intimidating. I try not to think about the actual 10,000 hours so much as just believing that one can be very successful by sticking with it.
@bondChristian,
Thanks for the good word. I had fun writing this one because I enjoyed learning more history about Johnny Appleseed.
@lincib,
Giving too much…hmmm. Actually that is not such an unusual dilemma. Maybe acknowledging it can be a good motivator to make sure your bases are covered. I think you are on a path to be able to give even more generously while having the peace of knowing things at home are covered first.
Thanks Bob and Joe for this inspiring post.
Although I’m from a tropical country with no apple, I heard of Johnny Appleseed’s story when I was young. So, I read this post with much interest.
One of the virtues I like about Johnny Appleseed was his persistence – doing his mission from age 18 until his death at 70. He never got tired or bored!
With God’s help, we too can persevere until the end…
Jose
This was a great read! I think the main principles of Johnny’s that I struggle to incorporate in my own endeavors are generosity and sticking with it. Sometimes as a young, broke twenty-four year old with a big hole and a tiny shovel, it is very tough to find ways to be generous, especially with money. Instead, I work to find other ways I can help people, perhaps with networking two contacts together, or providing counsel to a friend in need. As for sticking with it, I have a tendency toward over-enthusiasm early on in my interests and pursuits. Being very excited early on often leads to discouragement when I begin to see the slow pace at which progress is made, and then I lose interest altogether. However, I have been disciplining myself to fix this as well. Lots of good life lessons from a misunderstood historical figure!
Apple Tree Johnny showed the traits of someone successful.
Number 6 being his best, because its quite true that perserverence can overcome anything, even nature (that’s a quote from somwhere btw).
Number 4 maybe his best trait actually….the Beatles once sang “the love you get is equal to the love you give”.
Hey, I’m in a quoting mood……good post Christian.
Jamie
@Jose,
I too love the persistence of Johnny Appleseed. It encourages me to do what I love, because I will be more prone to stick with it.
@David,
You are being very generous with a commodity that we all have the same amount of: your time. Don’t discount the value of that gift. As for “sticking with it”…well, you understand yourself pretty well so you know what you need to work on. Besides, there are some endeavors which NEED to be dropped. Choosing which is they key. I say stick with what you are gifted at and passionate about.
@Jamie,
Great quotes about two great traits. Thanks!
I like this post. Very well said.
The part that jumped out at me was generosity. I think its one area that is so important, to have a fair and generous approach. We can save as well as give where needed. Life is not all about the who has the highest dollar total, its about health, wealth, and relationships – all the while being honest and fair. Remember the golden rule!
Squirrelers,
Right. The opposite of generosity is selfishness. There aren’t many truly happy selfish people in this world. Generosity doesn’t come naturally to most of us, but it is a great character trait to develop.
Looks like you’ve borrowed #3 from Johnny.
Creative use of this character related to personal finance.
Always like the analogies!