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Believe It, Achieve It
- By Business World
- Published May 3rd, 2010
- Smartmoney
- Unrated
What truly is belief? Is it a set of religious principles or just a particular “mental” concept held as true? While all of these are true, Belief is fundamentally your attitude as portrayed by your actions. A belief that is not acted upon is in the truest sense non-tested and therefore invalid.
Your belief in yourself and your personal goals when acted upon gives you success. The story is told of a dog that went hunting with its master. Out of sheer excitement it was soon separated from its master when it suddenly discovered a leopard stalking it. Afraid and left without many options the dog fervently prayed for some help to come its way. None did. But it suddenly discovered some bones nearby and a scheme formed instantly in its head.
Backing the approaching leopard, the dog settled down snuggly licking the bones nonchalantly as the stalker approached. When the leopard was within hearing distance, the dog exclaimed, ‘Wao! That was one hell of a meal from that lousy leopard, I wonder where the next one will come from.” The approaching leopard froze in its tracks.
“What a near miss, I was so close to death. Well then I guess I will look elsewhere” and it trotted off. The dog was relieved. Its little prank had worked. Just as it turned to go back a little monkey that had observed the whole episode laughed hysterically and promised to deal with the dog for its deceit. Instantly he went to the leopard and narrated everything that just transpired.
The predator was incensed. “How can that small brat trick me so? I will show him that I am still king in this jungle. It is my jungle.” And with that it carried the monkey at a fast trot in search of the dog. From a distance the dog saw them approaching. Now it was certain death. The initial ploy had worked but the cover had been blown; so what would be the next line of action?
Sitting on its hind legs in that impatient posture dogs often assume, the dog that was destined to be a leopard’s meal waited for its predator and conspirator to get within hearing distance. Now it started complaining. “Where is that stupid monkey, you can never trust him. It’s been thirty minutes since I sent him to go get me another leopard for my meal.” The leopard panicked; so the monkey had been sent as bait. This time it left for good as the monkey hurried to save its head.
What could have made the difference? Both the dog and the leopard knew which animal was stronger. The moral of the story is this: We each place our value on ourselves. Life is like a supermarket, people will only pay the value on the cover. If you rate yourself down people will generally do, after all you know yourself more than anyone else. If you overrate yourself others will still accept it until they have a chance to prove otherwise. In this context, it is okay to fake it until you make it. Carry yourself like you have already achieved what you wish to achieve. It will not take away the danger but it will help you remove the fear so you can deal with the challenge objectively and creatively.
Your belief in yourself and your personal goals when acted upon gives you success. The story is told of a dog that went hunting with its master. Out of sheer excitement it was soon separated from its master when it suddenly discovered a leopard stalking it. Afraid and left without many options the dog fervently prayed for some help to come its way. None did. But it suddenly discovered some bones nearby and a scheme formed instantly in its head.
Backing the approaching leopard, the dog settled down snuggly licking the bones nonchalantly as the stalker approached. When the leopard was within hearing distance, the dog exclaimed, ‘Wao! That was one hell of a meal from that lousy leopard, I wonder where the next one will come from.” The approaching leopard froze in its tracks.
“What a near miss, I was so close to death. Well then I guess I will look elsewhere” and it trotted off. The dog was relieved. Its little prank had worked. Just as it turned to go back a little monkey that had observed the whole episode laughed hysterically and promised to deal with the dog for its deceit. Instantly he went to the leopard and narrated everything that just transpired.
The predator was incensed. “How can that small brat trick me so? I will show him that I am still king in this jungle. It is my jungle.” And with that it carried the monkey at a fast trot in search of the dog. From a distance the dog saw them approaching. Now it was certain death. The initial ploy had worked but the cover had been blown; so what would be the next line of action?
Sitting on its hind legs in that impatient posture dogs often assume, the dog that was destined to be a leopard’s meal waited for its predator and conspirator to get within hearing distance. Now it started complaining. “Where is that stupid monkey, you can never trust him. It’s been thirty minutes since I sent him to go get me another leopard for my meal.” The leopard panicked; so the monkey had been sent as bait. This time it left for good as the monkey hurried to save its head.
What could have made the difference? Both the dog and the leopard knew which animal was stronger. The moral of the story is this: We each place our value on ourselves. Life is like a supermarket, people will only pay the value on the cover. If you rate yourself down people will generally do, after all you know yourself more than anyone else. If you overrate yourself others will still accept it until they have a chance to prove otherwise. In this context, it is okay to fake it until you make it. Carry yourself like you have already achieved what you wish to achieve. It will not take away the danger but it will help you remove the fear so you can deal with the challenge objectively and creatively.
