You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” If only. But good things do grow out of strong roots.

In light of spring (finally!), I’m digging into the importance of growing deep roots. But first, a quick update from my side of the mountain now that I’m coming out of blog hibernation:

The past few months have been anything but sleepy. I jumped headlong into an entrepreneurship class in the middle of January that took up significantly more time than I anticipated. I learned some awesome things and made great connections but it was definitely a grind.

Every Wednesday as I pulled into my driveway at midnight, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was worth the effort. The class was two hours away in Charlotte. I drove down each Wednesday afternoon for a three hour evening class and then drove back. For six weeks straight.

That may not sound like much but after the third session or so, I began to feel the drudgery.

Have you ever felt like what you’re doing is a chore? Even important work–stuff you’ve always dreamed of doing–can become a draining cycle of tedium. Unfortunately, things are rarely as glamorous as they appear from the outside.

What I learned these past couple of months is that growth is a process. Sometimes, a very long process. And after all is said and done, we may not even have much to show for it. That is, until you look below the surface.

Not all growth is readily visible. Especially not at first. That’s because we need to allow time for roots to grow. Whatever endeavor it may be, strong roots are necessary for long term success and survival.

Now for a quick lesson from forestry. If you compare various types of trees, the ones that grow the tallest often have the strongest, deepest roots. That’s because trees need a ‘substructure’ to anchor the weight of its trunk and limbs. Without a strong root system, the tree is susceptible to storms and forceful winds. So big trees tend to grow deep roots.

Roots also have a secondary purpose: they absorb water and nutrients needed by the tree to grow and thrive. Specifically, young ‘feeder roots’ are responsible for sucking up essential minerals and nutrients from the soil and sending it up the trunk to nourish the whole tree.

It’s important to note that trees need to be in damp, nutrient-dense soil to thrive. The soil also needs to be loose enough for roots to pierce through. Without these proper conditions, a tree won’t be able to grow into a mighty oak.

Not all trees have deep roots. The infamous redwoods in northern California are the tallest trees in the world, having lived hundreds of years. Yet, their roots are relatively shallow at only 5-6 feet deep. What keeps these trees upright is their system of intertwining roots that fuse together under thick groves of redwoods, allowing them to withstand severe winds and weather conditions. Redwood trees can grow to record heights by relying on the structural support of other redwoods around it.

I know nature analogies are kind of cliche but I think trees provide an apt visual for how life works. It’s a great reminder that we can’t thrive without a strong root system. This principle applies to all areas of life including our habits and how we handle money.

Interestingly in our culture, money is often associated with trees. Even Kendrick Lamar has a song titled Money Trees.

While paper money (cash) is made from trees, wealth is not something that can just be printed. Real wealth is cultivated and grown over time. Gradually. Slowly but surely it’ll grow. But only in the right conditions.

Often times, society focuses on what’s visible on the surface. What kind of car is someone driving? Which neighborhood do they live in? What name brand clothes are they wearing?

We place immense value on the size of the tree while forgetting that it’s what’s underneath the surface that really matters. How wise is someone’s spending? How charitable are they? Do they practice contentment and delayed gratification?

There’s a lot that goes into not only building wealth but also sustaining it. Financial habits and behavior make all the difference between someone who acts rich and someone who is. That’s why it’s difficult for lottery winners or heirs to large estates to hang on to the fortune that has befallen them. They haven’t put in the time or effort to grow deep roots that hold up the weight of their newfound wealth.

If there’s anything I’ve learned from working in the finance industry, it’s that wealth is a long game. It’s impossible to grow overnight. Whether it’s going to school to get a degree, working hard at your job, or building a business like I am, building wealth is a grind. But given the right conditions–consistent financial behaviors, healthy attitudes towards money, and moral support from peers–you can build substantial wealth in the long run.

Even during harsh seasons when the limbs are bare and it seems like nothing is growing, have faith that your roots are deepening just below the surface. And if you’re patient, you’ll get to reap a harvest some day from all your hard work.

As we grow in our pursuit of financial freedom, it’s important to ask ourselves, “What kind of tree am I? What environment am I planted in? And how can I ensure that I survive the next big storm?”