One of the common stories you will come across when reading self-help books is that of the scorpion and the frog.
For those of you who haven’t heard it before it goes like this.
A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back.
The frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?”
“Because” the scorpion replied, “If I do, I’ll die, too.” Satisfied, the frog tells the scorpion to hop on his back and they set out.
Halfway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, gasps “Why?”
The scorpion replies, “Because I am a scorpion.”
So just what does this have to do with success. Very simple – in life, we are who we are.
Though we may say we will change, very few people actually do.
I am a very trusting individual and try to give people the benefit of the doubt but have found that as the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.”
I know because there are times when I’m guilty of this.
I told myself that I would wake up early – lol. Didn’t happen.
Saying I’d get up at 6am is the easy part, actually getting up at 6am, that’s slightly harder.
That’s why I have learned to be careful what I say because people are listening. And, often times, they don’t forget.
I have also found that despite superficial changes in people’s attitude and actions that when push comes to shove, they go back to who they really are.
That’s why it pays to watch what people do, rather than listen to what they say, especially under pressure situations.
Deadlines, team projects, assignments, and emergencies tend to bring out the best, and worst, in people.
Some will rise to the moment, some will fall into the background, and the rest will simply disappear.
To succeed in business it’s imperative that we know the right people when such situations arise.
I have one friend that I can count on should I ask a personal favor such as helping me move or fixing my computer. But business is a different matter entirely viagra genérico portugal.
I trust them as far as I can throw them.
One client of mine is never late for work. But constantly late for dinner appointments.
Personally I work well under pressure (at least I believe so), but not with threats.
Understanding just who we are, our friends are and our business associates are will help you assign the right people to the right tasks.
You’ll save yourself time and trouble if you remember this important lesson in business as well as in relationships.
I think my mentor Jim Rohn said it best, “Don’t send your ducks to eagle school.”
Adrian Shepherd