“If we consider and learn from the ways of the ant, we can grow wise.”
-John C. Maxwell
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
The ways of the ant. You read that correctly.
ant /noun/
a small insect, often with a sting, that usually lives in a complex social colony with one or more breeding queens. It is wingless except for fertile adults, which often form large mating swarms, and is proverbial for industriousness. (Oxford Languages)
The ant is a reference used often in religious circles (Proverbs 6), as well as by many business leaders. Diana Quartey explains below:
7 Life Lessons You Can Learn From An Ant: by Diana Quartey
1. Ants are driven by purpose: A clear long term objective or goal which shapes everything you do. one ant’s sole job description is to find food for the colony. This is his purpose, and all that he inputs this time and energy into, and so it compounds his chances of success.
What purpose drives you?
2. Ants work as a team: Ants are team workers and work together in order to achieve something great. Likewise, in order for you to achieve something substantial in life, you must align yourself with others who can help propel you to another level.
How will you rally your team?
3. Ants have a time to rest and a time to work: Ants have to work with the natural seasons. So in summer they gather their food and in winter they hibernate to conserve energy because of the lack of food. You need to know when to stop. Schedule in periods of rest, especially after the completion of a major project.
How will you know when it's time to rest?
4. Ants think big: Ants can seem like one of the most insignificance insects on the planet because of their size. But the colonies they build and the contribution to their society is extremely significant and great.
What big dreams do you have for your future? Pursue those. No matter how small you think you are, always pursue something bigger than yourself.
5. Ants prepare ahead of time: Ants prepare in their food in Summer because they know that there will be a time when there will be no food to find in Winter. It has a stark contrast with human behavior. Priorities can sometimes be driven by what you feel like doing and not by what the most important thing to do is. The only way you can maximize any given moment is by preparing for it. If you think ahead you will then be able to prepare adequately.
What can you do to be better prepared?
6. Ants carry workloads they can handle: Although they are small, ants can handle up to one hundred times their weight. They know their limitations. All to often we say ‘yes’ to things that we can’t do and take on responsibilities that we struggle to fulfil. All we need to do is know our boundaries and never venture beyond that point.
What boundaries can you set to avoid overwhelm and still perform at a high level?
7. Ants serve one another: When few ants in a colony are infected by a fungal disease, they spread the disease throughout the colony, by licking it off one another, with each ant receiving as much of the disease that their individual immune system can fight off effectively. Living for just yourself is a lonely existence. Serving people goes that one step further and asks ‘what can I do for you?’ You start to live beyond yourself and purposefully contribute positively to others.
What's your contribution to others?
“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure …”
Now, what’s your plan...What are you willing to do?
Don’t miss your opportunity. Be intentional. Encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#lessonsfromanant, #keeprising, #gratitude, #reach, #stretch, #honoryourself, #faceyourfears, #learnandgrow, #selfawareness, #selfimprovement, #selfcompassion, #faith, #believe, #ittakescourage, #focus, #shift, #trustyourself, #dothework, #shareyourgifts, #releaseyourpower, #knowyourworth, #leadbyexample, #justdoit, #lifecoach, #leadershipcoach, #leadershipdevelopment, #letsgo
References:
Maxwell, John C. Leadership Promises for Every Day; Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN. 2003
4 Lessons We Can Learn From The Ant
7 Life Lessons You Can Learn From An Ant
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