Getting to the ‘Heart’ of Business Success
During a recent coaching session I was surprised when an Indian proverb came to mind, and equally pleased by how well it illustrated a solution to the caller’s problem. So many new entrepreneurs struggle with the same hurdle that I decided to share the response in hopes that more will benefit from the fable of this poor mouse.
You’ve heard the adage, “Learn from the mistakes of others.” Well, now you can learn from the mistake of a mouse.
For those who know the original story, please forgive any inconsistencies in this recount. It is the spirit of the message that illustrates what it takes to become a leader, and how many of us allow our self image to get in the way of success.
There once was a mouse who was afraid of nothing and went fearlessly through his days doing mouse things, until he met a cat. He was so paralyzed with fear that he knew he could no longer step outside his door to do mouse things, while there was a chance that a cat could be lurking around the next corner.
One day a local magician turned the frightened little mouse into what he feared the most…a cat. In that moment, all the mouse’s fear disappeared. So, the mouse-turned-cat went happily out into the world…until he met a dog. He returned to the magician and asked to be changed into a dog. The kind magician obliged and the mouse became a dog.
As a dog, the mouse was fearless once more and went happily about doing dog things…until he crossed paths with a lion. He ran quickly back to the magician and begged to be made into a lion. Once again the magician waved his wand and grudgingly turned the mouse into what he now feared the most — a lion.
It wasn’t long before this mouse-turned-lion returned to the magician explaining that he had met a hunter and was, once again, afraid to venture out. He pleaded to be made into a hunter.
This time the wise magician flatly refused, saying, “I will instead return you to a mouse. For you have the body of a lion, yet you continue to possess the heart of a mouse.”
This poor mouse was given a gift which many of us crave — that of being magically delivered from our fear — but, he never allowed himself to ‘grow into’ his success and experience each achievement. Worse yet, he never learned to face fear, overcome adversity and achieve success on his own.
How many people do you known who roar in public like a lion only to hide their insecurities? How often are difficult decisions averted in order to avoid conflict? How many potential businesses never get off the ground because owners are paralyzed by the concept of failure? You see how ironically self-fulfilling that is.
Risk and Hard Work
Success demands that we strive to achieve, often in the face of adversity. You must find the courage within yourself to venture outside your comfort zone. Pull yourself from the grasp of doubt, with eyes fixed on your goals. This journey is harder for some than others, but take comfort in the fact that we travel a similar path. There are many milestones to guide you.
Don’t allow your fears, or the doubts of the less inspired, to diminish your vision. It’s through perseverance that a mouse finds his voice and roars with the lions of commerce.
Leap into the business world with a confidence that YOU can walk among the lions and develop your own mighty roar!
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Robert
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