Welcome to the Week... This Story will Reframe Your Week

There is a parable that I have spoken of several times. It is the one of a farmer and his horse and is a profound tale that highlights the relativity of circumstances.

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The parable goes…?

Once upon a time there was a farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”

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The next day the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening, everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

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The following day his son tried to break one of the horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.”

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The next day the Army officers came around to draft people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again, all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.”

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This story epitomizes the differences of how one frames perceived misfortune and opportunity. However, there is a twist to this story that I have not considered to this point.

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While it speaks simply about maybe not being too high or low for any situation, what is interesting is how one’s observability and openness to the opportunities and changes the parable represents can be the transformation. It’s an acknowledgment of the endless possibilities each situation in life offers, illustrating that what seems unfavorable now, might bring unforeseen opportunities.

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Drawing parallels from an experience from this week. At Fitlife Foods , we embarked on the journey to hire a new Manager for an emerging channel. Alas, an unforeseen family medical situation compelled our chosen candidate to forgo the opportunity on the eve of his first day. It would have been a natural inclination to be upset about this setback; however, emulating the farmer’s observability and resilience, we perceive it as an unforeseen opportunity.

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Rather than allowing internal stories and frustrations to dictate our response, we embraced the situation and re-framed it as an opportunity. ?This approach not only fuels our journey towards organizational growth and optimization, but also spearheaded ourselves into another channel of growth for our stores, potentially amplifying performance in 2024. While we will be seeking out an additional candidate for this other line, this transformation in perspective is an embodiment of observability, revealing opportunities in the most unexpected circumstances.

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The essence of the parable is not just in acknowledging the ambiguity of our circumstances but in being the explorer, actively seeking opportunities in the unseen. It’s about harboring a positive mindset and exhibiting contagious optimism. It’s the resilience to not be swayed by every shift in the winds and the observability to see the hidden gems in the rough seas.

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In his renowned book "Good to Great,” Jim Collins introduces the concept of “Return on Luck,” a notable idea that explores the role of luck in the success of companies. However, Collins does not singularly credit luck as the determinant of success; instead, he meticulously investigates how companies react, respond, and leverage luck when it comes their way.

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Collins says that both great and average companies experience luck—whether good or bad—with similar frequency. The differentiation lies in how the companies manage and capitalize on these lucky events. He outlines that great companies are adept at maximizing their return on luck—both the good and the bad—primarily by being well-prepared and by displaying the wherewithal to grasp opportunities as they arise.

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Collins underscores the importance of being adequately prepared to seize luck when it appears, suggesting that great companies differentiate themselves through their readiness and their capability to turn luck to their advantage. They don’t merely rely on favorable circumstances but are proactive in transforming fortuitous events into substantial value.

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This concept resonates well with the parable of the farmer and his horse. It’s not about the frequency or the magnitude of luck one encounters, but about the observability, preparedness, and the ability to capitalize on the unforeseen opportunities (or initially perceived misfortune) that luck might present, turning seemingly adverse situations into beneficial ones.

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By harmonizing the insights from Jim Collins with the ancient wisdom of the parable, you can cultivate a mindset this week that not only anticipates and acknowledges luck, but also optimizes the opportunities it offers, thereby facilitating a journey from mere existence to enduring greatness.

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Feed Your Journey,

David