"I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive, and do all you can." -- Jim Rohn, American Entrepreneur, and a self-made millionaire before he turned 31.
When was the last time you observed an ant? You would be surprised to know how beneficial it can be! These tiny creatures can teach us many things about being successful and living in a more efficient and cooperative society.
Here are four life lessons we can learn from an ant.
Don't Ever Give Up!
Ants meet obstacles every day. Many circumstances may block their path, whether that's a rock put in their way or a human accidentally stepping into their carefully built home. Still, you will never see an ant giving up or indulging in self-pity. Whenever things don't go their way, they keep going.
To achieve any goal, we must be willing to move tirelessly. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but that shouldn't stop us from making our dreams come true.
Summer is Winter, While Winter…
You may have heard Aesop's famous fable The Grasshopper and the Ant. It teaches us that ants can't be fooled into thinking the present situation will last. They continue their work even in summer, although it is not needed at that particular moment.
We shouldn't expect the good moment to last forever when everything is going well. Setbacks and crises are experienced even by the most innovative people in the world. Did you know that Bill Gates' first startup failed? Making mistakes is normal. But if you are prepared, you can navigate difficult times much more manageable.
When it is winter, ants know summer will soon arrive. They constantly remind themselves that hardships will eventually end, even if it seems that the crisis is never-ending. It might seem like nothing will ever be good again, but know that even this feeling will pass. Ants are masters of maintaining a balance between living in the moment and looking out for the future.
Do Whatever You Can
It would be difficult to find more hardworking creatures than ants. They aren't afraid of heavy or challenging tasks. They don't pity themselves for having to work too much. They don't care whether another ant is putting in the same effort. All that matters to them is doing everything that they possibly can.
That is an incredible work ethic that humans learn too. Success doesn't come easy. To achieve your goals, you must put in time and effort.
Ask For Help (when needed)
Although ants are hardworking, they also know their limits. The tiny creatures won't ever take up tasks they can't handle. When something is too heavy or oversized, they will signal other ants to get the Help they need.
Asking for support isn't easy, but it is vital for our well-being. So don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask someone to share the load. You will be surprised to see how helpful people are.
Next time you find yourself in a tricky situation, it is worth asking – what would an ant do? They may not be able to speak our language, but their actions clearly show what is required to reach goals.
"An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox." -- Lao Tzu
This story was inspired by Carol Williams's comment on one of my previous posts.
Photo Credit: 123rf
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