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Arthur Marara
We are operating in a difficult environment. Covid-19 has changed the direction of many businesses.
Most businesses have been tested, some have survived and others have fallen under. That is the reality of what we are going through.
The goal of business remains, to solve problems profitably. During this time, several people have emerged strong, even though the conditions may not have been favourable.
This starts with a commitment to refuse to be a victim, and a decision to drive forward even in the midst of the difficulties.
There is no normal to return to
I often hear people saying that they are hoping that things would return to “normal soon”. Truth, be told there is no normal to return to.
Things will never be the same again. You should also not be the same again. Your thinking has to change, and not only should it change, it should exponentially change.
Do not wait for the conditions to improve, start thinking in terms of how you can improve in the midst of this storm. If you wait for the conditions to improve, you may wait forever.
As a business, you work with teams, your teams need to be alert to this reality. I have done a lot of talks this season to organisation on productivity during this period.
One of the things that I am helping teams on is how to stay focused. It is easy to be distracted especially during this time when people are working from home.
It is very possible for people to be putting their mind on things that are not connected in any way to their core business. One thing that has to change as well in such an environment is your drive to see results.
Build the inner drive
I have been speaking for some years. There is one consistent thing that usually disappoints me; after delivering a powerful message and speech; people still go back to their old ways.
Many people are reluctant to change, that is why they are fighting the same issues, day in and day out.
I have come to the understanding that you cannot change a person; you can only inspire change in them. Change is personal, and optional.
If real change is to take place in life, you need to have something that drives you; otherwise you will go back to the usual routine.
There are lots of people who have died in the routine. You need to develop inner drive if you are going to take your business forward. What is your drive?
What is chasing you?
What chases you determines the speed with which you run? I want you for a moment to exercise your imagination; imagine if a dog is chasing you.
There is a particular speed with which you run with. But, I want you to imagine if a lion is chasing you.
You see once we change the subject of what is chasing you, your speed changes. Your purported limitations will fade away in the face of a voracious creature. You will run and possibly outrun some fastest sprinters.
Interesting story on drive
One of the things that I enjoy doing is looking for stories that inspire, and illustrate points. This week I have a story, that can change your thrust and motivate you to a find your drive.
I read the story below, and couldn’t resist sharing with you this week.
The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever.
The further the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish.
If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh. To solve this problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats.
They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish and they did not like the taste of frozen fish.
The frozen fish fetched a lower price. So, fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste.
The fishing industry faced an impending crisis! But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan.
How did they manage…?
To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark. The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move.
The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!
Some thoughts!
To me this is the best illustration of what we all need to move in our businesses, and life in general. Something that awakens us, and keeps moving is what we need in life.
The reason why many of us are not growing is because there is nothing to push us. We get so accustomed to the common, and forget that making history and greatness is the realm of the uncommon. In the above case, the sharks kept the fish running. The fish kept their freshness from fighting for their life. How interesting!
A life without challenges is meaningless. I liked a quote that came with the quote, “Your challenges keep you energised. Don’t create success and revel in it in a state of inertia.
You have the resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in your tank this year and see how far you can really go…”
Arthur Marara is a corporate law attorney, keynote speaker, corporate and personal branding speaker commanding the stage with his delightful humour, raw energy, and wealth of life experiences. He is a financial wellness expert and is passionate about addressing the issues of wellness, strategy and personal development. Arthur is the author of the “Personal Development Toolkit” among other inspirational books. Send your feedback to [email protected] or +263780055152.
Bongani Ndlovu