Chop Wood, Carry Water

“Chop wood, carry water” is a quote hanging on the wall of our S2G Investments office in Chicago. It is a shortened version of the Zen Buddhist phrase, ​“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” 

We chose this phrase because it reflects key aspects of our culture, how we work together, and how we approach what we do. But its meaning is applicable to our broader ecosystem, as much as it has ever been, as we all collectively navigate an increasingly volatile and complex world.

The phrase embodies the core tenets of Stoicism — emphasizing discipline, process, presence, and acceptance of life’s challenges. In essence, it captures the ideals of focusing on the present, practicing deliberateness, and finding contentment in doing the little things that are the foundation of the important things. It’s about showing up every day, embracing what’s in front of us, and finding meaning and value in the process, regardless of external circumstances. And as we like to say, it’s about doing the work. 

At S2G, our teams embrace this mindset to guide our daily efforts — doing what needs to get done, no matter how seemingly inconsequential or routine, to drive positive outcomes across our sectors time and again. In light of today’s volatility, we felt it would be meaningful to share the practical ways we apply this mindset in our own work.

1. Detach From Outcomes. Focus on the Process. 

As organizations grow, building resilient processes becomes essential. In a world full of noise — shifting policies, macro uncertainty, and fast-moving markets — we can’t control outcomes, but we can control our effort and choices. By consistently committing to effective process over prediction, we give ourselves the best chance at long-term success. Chop Wood. Carry Water.

2. Do the Little Things. They Add Up. 

Skipping the foundational basics leads to inconsistent results. Excellence requires deliberate attention to fundamentals. Getting rep after rep after rep builds invaluable knowledge and know-how through experience in your craft in the real world. While each task may seem small in the moment, progress is incremental and often invisible at first. Trust that consistent effort eventually yields results. There is no shortcut. Chop Wood. Carry Water.

3. Embrace a Beginner’s Mindset. 

Focus on getting it right, not being right. Embrace openness to feedback and a willingness to learn (and grow) from others. This will help you learn faster, empathize more, build deeper trust, offer innovative solutions, and gain a competitive long-term advantage. Chop Wood. Carry Water.

World-class teams get the little things right before they worry about the big things. A house constructed on a hastily built foundation won’t stand the test of time. The work our ecosystem is doing is really hard. The only way we’ll be successful time and time again is by doing the little things. By doing the work.