April Fools Day - Don't Fool Yourself

The first April is celebrated as April Fools, day and everyone joins in the fun to pull a prank at work, home and more so at school. And while most of the pranks are on unsuspecting people, we are not aware of the daily pranks we pull on ourselves.

Our false beliefs continue to make a fool out of us and the entailing practices and habits cover it up so well that we continue on the foolish path for long. Here are a few foolish things that I find many established business leaders follow without realising that the prank is on them.

Buying cheap

Most of us are looking for the best deal and this unfortunately comes down to the lowest price which is the easiest to compare with competing offers. Do away with this habit and instead focus on summarily discarding the cheapest and instead work downward from the most expensive to discern the value that is just right for you. You know, and I know that quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.

Disrespecting the body

The growing number of gyms may appear that there is a real interest in taking care of the body but sadly enough the truth is otherwise. Staying up late, eating food that is disagreeable to our body type, parking closest to the entrance, are some of the foolish acts that we continue to follow. You may be spiritually inclined but without your body you will cease to exist in the physical world that we inhabit. Stop playing the fool with your body. Listen to it and respect it.

Promoting mediocrity

Nobody by choice will trust incompetence but so well is it disguised that it will fool the best of us. Average performance is not good enough when what you need is a A-Team. Tolerating mediocrity is the same as promoting it so don't be lazy about weeding out the worst. And even if you have to fill a quota, search for the best in that category. It is true that mediocre people allow the performers to shine brighter but why not have a galaxy of super shining stars.

Leaping before looking

Energy and optimist mindsets are sure factors for success but running fast doesn't help if you are not on the right track or your wheels are not well oiled. Many a times we are fooled by the ease of success we see in others not realizing the hard work and planning that has brought them to their zenith. Plan your work, and then work your plan.

Compromising Ideals

And finally the most recurring prank is the selective upholding of ideals and principles to suit the circumstances. We believe in something, but when the situation warrants we fool ourselves to abandon it for a higher purpose. Be assured that ideals are non-negotiables that have to stand through thick and thin. Allowing yourself to let the situation fool you is detrimental to your growth, stability and more importantly your credibility. Be a rock when it comes to the ideals your cherish and the principles you have set.

I know this is just a small set of daily foolishness we practice and you are probably now thinking of many more.

Footnote: I am not going to be fooled by likes this post gets because I know that those who read may not necessarily put a like, and those who like may have not have read. I write this as a reminder to myself that it is not just on 1st April that we have to stay alert from foolishness.