I was once a subscriber to Success Magazine. I still enjoy returning to the concepts I learned while I subscribed and occasionally will peek at their website. Today, on their website, they posted their quote of the day which read:
“Repeat anything often enough and it will start to become you.” ~Tom Hopkins
While considering this quote, I came across a photo of two men in a canoe—the man in front is paddling and the one in back is doing nothing.
I first thought about the man in the front—he paddles along. Left, right, left, right, he continues until he reaches his destination. But, the man in back reaches the destination as well, but he reaches on the back of others.
The man in the front paddles repeatedly, the act of driving this canoe makes him new and fresh. He is skilled and he is practiced. He knows how the ore feels as it slaps the water. He feels the swirl after each movement. He gains momentum to the point that his work is reduced. His muscles become trained, the man becomes strong. This man in the front approaches his destination with practiced determination and experience.
Ten I considered the man in back, he too is practicing. He is practicing doing nothing. He may be practicing running his mouth. He may be offering criticism or complaint. He may reach his destination, but he arrives with nothing to offer.
Which man would you rather work for?
Which man are you?
(Photo: Unsplash.com)