The grass isn’t always greener

Further to my recent post about the rope fence, found here.

During a walk recently I noticed a flimsy rope fence stopping horses from moving to another part of the field and posed the question about where you allow a “rope fence” – a perceived obstacle – to restrict your growth.

I went on to wonder whether the horses accepted the flimsy barrier because they felt safer within its confines, in a smaller space with others of their kind. Looking for a safe space is fairly common behaviour – think of cats and boxes!

I would guess the real reason the horses didn’t try and move, however, was because they had everything they wanted and needed right where they were, giving the phrase “the grass isn’t always greener” another platform to be true.

Do you let thoughts of the grass being greener cloud your judgements and decisions? Does this prohibit your business growth? Do you judge your life by other’s posts on social networking/media sites? Could you be equally happy without the thought of what might be on the other side of the fence?

You see, it’s true that, for now at least, the grass might be green enough right where you are. Rather than looking further afield, just bring your focus back to what’s around you. What do you have on your side of the fence that you should be happy with or proud of?

Also, what can you do to ensure you have enough fresh water, enough fresh hay and enough fresh grass on your side of the fence? You could take time out to evaluate once a week; you could revisit your goals from previous years to ensure they are still on track or you could simply be grateful every day for what you have.

In the case of the horses, if they run out of food or want to gallop about, that fence will have to go – it will no longer define a place of ease and safety, but be a restriction that causes them discomfort.

If your regular evaluation means you eventually come to the conclusion that the space you occupy no longer serves you and the business, it’s time to change your focus and re-evaluate the grass on the other side of the fence. However, using this process to arrive at that conclusion means your decisions are mindful and based in reality. Because the grass isn’t always greener, whatever we might think.