A month and a half ago, I celebrated my 22^nd birthday. Actually “celebrate” probably isn’t the best word – I chose to stay at home to read 2666 and work on a paper about cause-related marketing. Although I appreciate people thinking about me, I would rather forgo the gifts, cake, and especially all that extra attention. I don’t need that. However, there are a few small things that will always make my face light up like a Christmas tree: gift cards to Barnes & Noble (or any bookstore), chocolate, and flower bulbs. I got all of the above this year. My family and friends know me too well!

The chocolate was gone within a few days. I was planning to save the gift card until April 14^th to purchase The Final Testament of the Holy Bible by James Frey (as a college student, I have a hard time spending $30 on a book), but asking myself to refrain from buying books is like asking a child to wait until he’s home from his birthday party to start assembling his new toys – entirely pointless. My third treasured gift was a package of paperwhite bulbs.

I immediately opened the package and proceeded to follow the instructions carefully. I placed the planted bulbs in the garage (a cool, dark place) and waited. Within a month, three small shoot clusters had emerged. I was thrilled.

Suddenly, time seemed to accelerate. The plant’s growth was rapid, just shy of a time-lapse video clip’s pace. However, there was one problem. As the stems stretched and strained to attain greater heights, they became top-heavy and began to topple under their own weight.

I then recalled an article I read for a college Biology lab, Using Alcohol to Reduce Growth of Paperwhite Narcissus. Essentially, you create a solution of 5-10% hard liquor in water. This dehydrates the plant a bit, producing shorter stems with normal sized flowers. I proposed a similar experiment, but the professor was not amused.

“Are you planning on sitting down with your plants each night and toasting over a bottle of Grey Goose? Please. You need to take this project more seriously.”

Well, I thought it was a good idea. Anyways, seeing my plant collapse under its own weight reminded me of that article. The study suggests that the remedy be applied throughout the life of the bulb. But what if it takes time to realize that a problem exists? What if you wait to implement that magical elixir?

“Results may vary.” “The sooner the better.” “You can’t change the past.” These clichés are all very true. But what about “there’s no time like the present”? Oftentimes waiting to act makes fixing a situation a little more difficult than doing things correctly the first time. However, it’s never too late to improve a situation.

At the moment, my towering stalks are being stabilized by a bright red Christmas ribbon. For the past few days, my lovely plant has been downing a few teaspoons of vanilla vodka with her nightly glass of water. Although I have yet to observe any drastic changes, my current attitude is a meshing of eager excitement and a downplayed confidence. I expect that within a few days, my plant will stand proudly without any outside support.

But what if it doesn’t? What if my dear plant continues to hang limply? Should I deem my efforts fruitless and a waste of my valuable time?

I would argue “no”. You see, when you put effort into something, there will be results. The effects my be miniscule and barely visible, but there is always a change. A small and seemingly insignificant bud may appear one day; it doesn’t look like much, but it is teeming with potential and patiently awaiting its opportunity to burst into an exquisite blossom.

When you start a project, it is important to plan – figure out how to put your resources to the best use. When there is a problem, get right to work on finding and implementing a solution. You may encounter hurdles along the way and you may topple over like a top-heavy paperwhite plant, but look at these as instances of good fortune. These hurdles allow for personal growth and learning. And being top-heavy with promising buds is a gift in disguise; the capacity for greatness is there – it’s just a matter of reorganization and being willing to alter your mindset and techniques in order to achieve your full potential.

And so what if you falter? A delicate bloom reigning over a droopy stem is a beautiful flower all the same.

Effort leads to results. Not necessarily the results you are looking for, but results nonetheless.