Work Smart, Rule To Personal Development

In Africa, there is a story about a race between a tortoise and a hare in which the tortoise won the price, not because of speed, but because it took advantage of the hare’s overconfidence and mediocrity, and slowly but surely strategized for the win.

On the day that the competition was announced, the hare and the tortoise met for a press conference and just like a heavy weight champion, the hare used boastful words to praise himself and of course throwing in some scathing, and provocative words against his opponent, who as usual kept his peace. The tortoise being a phlegmatic character, who speaks less, didn’t answer a word.

Days before the event as the hare was exercising, the tortoise was organizing a big gang of tortoises. On the material day, he simply placed them along the route early in the morning, each one a distance from the other. Right from the word ‘GO’, guess who was leading. The hare led very well such that at some point he stopped to chew some carrot. Surprisingly when he looked in front, he saw a tortoise. He rose up, ran quickly, overtook the opponent, and then rested smiling to him. Suddenly, he notices Mr. Tortoise again in front of him about one kilometer. He scratches his head wondering how come he was overtaken twice by such a slow opponent. Anyway, he rose and ran fast, overtaking the opponent with wind gusting sweep. Again and again this process was repeated until finally, he was shocked to see the tortoise cross the finish line before him. Hence, Mr. Tortoise took the day.

Mr. Tortoise didn’t work hard, but he worked smart! This is the secret of entrepreneurship. In a world where business competition is fierce, success in not really dependant on how hard you work (even though diligence is important) but how smart you work.

“Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make a mighty ocean and the pleasant land.” – Julia Carney. Most people get stranded in one place for years trying to figure out how to ‘begin big’. They are preoccupied with big plans that never take off. They are waiting for enough financial boosts, enough man power, enough experience, and enough time, which in essence never really comes. Surprisingly, those you overlooked and aimed at challenging with your big plans overtake you and you wonder, “Where did I go wrong?” Well, guess what, they overtook you while you were standing, waiting for conditions to improve.

In the process of growth of your company/business, take small steps, one at a time, consistently. After being faithful in small steps, you’ll look back and be able to say. “I am still not where I want to be, but I am not where I was before.” Do not wait for enough resources before you take a step, use what you have no matter how small, just work with it smartly.

“Victory is won not in miles, but in inches. Win a little now, hold the ground and later win a lot more.” – Luis L’Mour
Never ever be discouraged when you make small progress. Only be weary of standing still. Successful people are those who do what they can with what they have at hand where they are. Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well too! Keep on, slow but sure!