AchieveMax® Blog

I recently shared my passion concerning the responsibility we have to make certain future generations have access to the wonderful lessons, anecdotes, allegories, parables, and narratives we’ve experienced and enjoyed over the decades. Anyone in business for any substantial length of time has had the benefit and privilege to hear words of wisdom from some of the greatest leaders, writers, consultants, speakers and authors in the world.

The responsibility is now ours to pass on these “gems” to a new generation of future leaders who will certainly need any and all tools they can find to attain the success they pursue. Far too many of us avoid repeating this knowledge for fear it’s nothing more than repetition or may not apply in today’s culture. That will certainly be decided by those who hear it. This wisdom has existed for ages, and I feel certain it will continue to inspire if we all do our part to pass it on.

Therefore, we’ve decided to create another category on our blog to share much of the wisdom that has passed the test of time and inspired generations of those engaged in the pursuit of business success.

If you’d like to share a particular piece that may have inspired you at some point in your career, please pass it on to us. Also consider checking back with us from time to time in hopes of discovering some of our “old favorites” you might want to pass on to family, friends or staff.

Let’s begin with one that we could all use in this age of constant chaos and challenge.

Shake It Off and Step Up

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule “braying” or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened. He enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back … HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

“Shake it off and step up … shake it off and step up … shake it off and step up!” he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You’re right! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!

What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him … all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity … THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US!

- Author Unknown

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

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