03 Jul The Early Bird

“The early bird catches the worm” so the old saying goes, but what does it really mean?

If you ask most people, they would probably tell you it means you have to get up earlier than everyone else to beat them to the worm. While that may make sense, they are really referring to another saying, “You have to get up pretty early in the morning to beat me.”

Unfortunately, the thought that you need to get up early to beat everyone else comes from a position or attitude of ‘lack’. It comes from a thought that there are a limited number of worms and the first person to get there wins. This is not a good leadership mentality because the premise is incorrect and leads to competition, not teamwork.

The truth is that there are plenty of worms to go around, BUT…they are only around for a short time during the early morning hours when the ground is cool and wet. That is why the early bird will get the worm while those who sleep late will not.

Worms are the metaphor for opportunities, and like opportunities, worms don’t just lie on the lawn all day waiting for you to be ready to pick them. Reality is that worms only come to the surface in the early morning hours and a bird needs to be up early to catch them. If they wait too late, the worms go back in the ground and the opportunity may be lost. The bird will go hungry that day and their children may also.

Opportunities come to us at various times and usually there is a short window of time for us to recognize the opportunity and take action on it. Like the worms, opportunities don’t just keep popping up until we are ready. We must be ready at all times to take advantage of the right opportunities when they present themselves. This is an attitude of abundance which leads to success. Opportunities are endless for those who are open to possibilities, not limitations and competition.

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If you would like to discuss how business coaching can help grow your business, contact me. Opportunity is knocking! Will you answer?