Are you like Old Survivor too?

There is a story of a gnarly old redwood tree in the Bay Area that, unlike hundreds and thousands of redwood trees in the area, was not milled by the loggers of the time. Many decades have passed and the tree has continued to grow to its massive size and strength today. The tree is so incredible it’s been named Old Survivor.

The power of Old Survivor is that from the lens of the logger, this tree was worthless because of its odd shape and challenging position in the forest. The logging system rejected Old Survivor.  But the ironic beauty of Old Survivor is that it has THRIVED as a direct result of that rejection by the logging system. 

Old Survivor’s fellow trees that were, from the perspective of the logger, much more valuable were chopped down by the hundreds and thousands. The “valuable and useful” trees that were harvested, however, have long since been made into something that inevitably made its way to the landfill. 

So how valuable were those other trees really? Their time being highly valuable was temporary and only because through one group’s ideals - the logger - made it so. 

Law Firm Sensibilities & Old Survivor

Old Survivor’s story made a home in my heart as I think about my experience working in the legal industry and in law firms. Often the skills and forward-thinking ideas that I value and embody are, in very traditional, precedent based, “we’ve always done it this way” cultures, not accepted as all that valuable. Even basic business operations principles, such as a personal brand, diversifying revenue streams, and building profitable (not simply high revenue) practices, were the source of significant conflict and debate. These well-established practices were often rejected by many lawyers, just like Old Survivor.

To a degree, in law firm structures and systems, cutting-edge ideas and solutions are like Old Survivor - they are gnarly and undervalued. Even further, in a system that requires conflict to even have a legal practice, there is little “value” in unconventional approaches that seek to increase harmony, overall wellbeing, and holistic solutions. 

But the beauty of Old Survivor is that what makes me unique, is also what empowered me to remove myself from the forest of trees that, figuratively, will inevitably be cut down and made to waste. The “gnarliness” from the lawyer lens is what enables me to survive - and thrive - in my work, my relationships, and my wellbeing. 

If you feel like an undervalued outsider, may Old Survivor be a beautiful reminder that it may be the very thing that keeps you out of the landfill with all the “useful” trees.

It may be the magic that enables you to truly thrive.