Attending an Ant Seminar
The Ant Philosophy. This is the title of a material written by motivational speaker Jim Rohn.
In my book, Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar and Dr. Denis Waitley are the true intellectual heavyweights of their times, and what they speak and teach about not only makes sense but carries the power to change lives for the better.
Once you go over his material, it feels like you have just attended an Ant Seminar. Consider this a fable that teaches leadership lessons that even our kids might learn and enjoy. I will embellish it with a bit of commentary on the side.
You’ll understand what I mean by listening to what Jim said:
Over the years, I’ve been teaching children about a simple but powerful concept – the ant philosophy. I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part:
Ants never quit.
That’s a good philosophy. If they’re headed somewhere, and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way. They’ll climb over; they’ll climb under; they’ll
climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy to always keep looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.
In business terms, we call this “perseverance,” in modern terms, it is called “grit.”
Second, ants think winter all summer.
That’s an important perspective. You can’t be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer.
An ancient story says, “Don’t build your house on the sand in the summer.” Why do we need that advice? Because it is important to be realistic.
In the summer, you’ve got to think storm. You’ve got to think rocks, as you enjoy the sand and sun. Think ahead.
Another way to call this is having an “emergency fund,” “being future-focused and prepared.”
The third part of the ant philosophy is that Ants think summer is all winter.
That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, “This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.” And on the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can’t wait to get out.
This is what we call today being “resilient.” Now that we are in a post-pandemic economy, we can see that those with this philosophy are way ahead of those who do not and are poised to explore and exploit new opportunities.
And here’s the last part of the ant philosophy.
How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that he possibly can.
What an incredible philosophy, the “all-that-you-possibly-can” philosophy.
Wow, what a great seminar to attend – the Ant Seminar.
Never give up, look ahead, stay positive, and do all you can.
End of material.
Simple yet powerful. Do not underestimate the power of ants. They teach us valuable lessons for life and living.
But Jim Rohn is not the first one to bring ants to our attention.
Had you been reading the Bible; you would have understood that God used these tiny little creatures to teach us big human beings.
In dealing with idleness, The Word of God in Proverbs 6 says: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander, overseer, or ruler, Yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
Ants teach us the value of hard work.
All of us should attend an Ant Seminar. Yet, better still, to read and study Scriptures and discover the truth that would change lives.
(Francis Kong’s podcast “Inspiring Excellence” is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms.)
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