Monday Motivation - A Lesson From a Lazy Kestrel

Near where I live in the outer suburbs, there are a lot of fields and paddocks. Such landscapes are perfect for a range of small raptors, such as kestrels and kites, and I often see them hovering high above the ground looking for a mouse or smaller bird to swoop on.

I drove past a paddock the other day and instead of seeing a kestrel hovering above the ground, I saw one perched on an overhead wire, looking down for its next meal.

I’ve never seen such behaviour before and thought to myself that this kestrel was waiting for an opportunity to come to it rather than fly around looking for the chance to eat.

What a lazy kestrel!

But are we that different?

I’ve seen a lot of people who wait around for the perfect opportunity, rather than go out looking for one.

I’ve seen a lot of people sit hoping that things will get better, rather than find a way to improve their situations.

I’ve seen a lot of people say that they are just resting for a moment, but they get too comfortable and end up remaining in a state of inactivity, rather than replenishing their energy stocks and charging back into life with enthusiasm and fresh ideas.

There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.”

And Elbert Hubbard once said, “Parties who want milk should not seat themselves on a stool in the middle of a field in hopes that the cow will back up to them.”

Learn from the lazy kestrel.

Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.

Launch yourself into action and go find what you’re looking for.