It was summer, and the sun was scorching in the mounds of the Hidden Valley. The heat of the midday had found its way to the dying heart of Mr. Grasshopper. He lay down, gazed into the distance, and reminisced over hopes of the days gone by.
In the little trails, Grasshopper watched as Dr. Ant, with his sons in tow, went up and down the molehill, all the time carrying grains bigger than their own sizes. Mr. Grasshopper could not help but ask his erstwhile friend, Dr. Ant, “Is it worth working your children to near death just to raise a stockpile of grains?”
“No, I am not raising a store of food,” answered Ant “I am raising a responsible generation.”
Undistracted, Ant stocked enough grains to feed his colony through the days of grain shortage. In that period, the Grasshopper starved. Why? You may ask. The reason is that returns come from your seed that you sow, not your need that you parade.
This fable tells us about the great differentiator called self-discipline. It is the industry and stick-to-it-ness, tenacity, and determination that fuels imagination and camaraderie. This kind of self-discipline sustains us on our journey of prosperity and abundance.
What can we learn from this ancient tale? We learn 10 lessons that revolve around having definite objectives, developing definite plans, and backing such plans with the discipline to persist until we deliver the goods.
Self-discipline, thus, is the eternal elixir that carries the success-conscious to abundance.
- Focus and avoid distraction. People will try to upset you and tip the scales of your equilibrium. It is at such times that you demonstrate self-discipline by staying cool, calm, and collected, while doing all that is needed then doing some more.
- Listen carefully. Every story has three sides. One biased in your favor, one biased against you, and the balanced centrist truth. Master two questions that will always point you towards the true truth: “How do you know?” and “What is the motive?”
- Think through everything before you issue instructions. Wise leadership demands that you give directions only out of balanced thought and never out of uneducated emotions.
- Understand the art of fully focusing on the individual you are addressing. Everyone, in their own eyes, is the most important being living.
- Every defeat and struggle are invitations to get better and do better. Struggle and challenge are good for you. Endure the heat. Bear the weight. That is how successful people get there.
- Ask relevant questions. Then listen attentively and do not dwell on irrelevant facts.
- Be temperate and considerate. Use measured words – always say only true, good, and useful things. Never take aim at deliberately hurting anyone.
- Learn to take a balanced analysis of your situation and character. Equally important, learn to ward off hostile criticism. It is in this mastery that your discipline is destined to carry you to your desired goal.
- It saves so much time when you receive directions well and execute with passion that it exponentially increases productivity, only excelled by acting right without being told.
- Exercise moderation in key needs, especially when it comes to food and intoxicating drinks.
Through focus, Dr. Ant avoided the skeptical and distractive Grasshopper, stayed on course, and stayed too busy to be discouraged. In all of us, there is a Mr. Grasshopper and a Dr. Ant. What will you be?
