Working Hard vs. Achieving
Have you ever heard one of the variations on the speech about how it doesn’t matter what you do in life, as long as you do the best you can? My mother’s version was that “it doesn’t matter if you’re a street sweeper; you just go out there and be the best street sweeper there is!” I always ascribed to that philosophy and I still do. With a slight change.
I do wholeheartedly agree that a person’s job title doesn’t define who they are; it’s all about the attitude that person brings to the job. If you love street sweeping (or at least find some aspect of it fulfilling), then by all means, attack it with gusto and revolutionize the industry! but if you’re slaving away because you think there’s some nobility in, well, slaving away…then your spiritual compass may need a little bit of adjusting. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against a hard day’s work done for a fair wage and I understand that some people are simply looking for a means to an end. What I’m talking about are people who play it safe because they’re afraid to venture out of their comfort zone or people who want to make a change but believe that they are “stuck” in their situation. To those people, hear this loud and clear: You are NEVER stuck; your level of motivation and your attitude can ALWAYS change. You can be a burnt-out attorney, cursing the decision to enter law school and battling daily anxiety attacks, high blood pressure, etc. – that’s working hard. Or you can be a janitor with a burning desire and a plan who is happy to have a steady job that provides food and shelter for his family. That’s achieving. It doesn’t matter where you are – YOU get to choose how you view what you do in life…and you also get to change things if you don’t like the view.
As I write this post, I am reminded of a great story I heard once that really puts this whole subject into perspective. It’s often told by business motivational speaker Harvey MacKay, but the author is unknown:
Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar
My friend Harvey was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey.
He handed my friend a laminated card and said: ‘I’m Wally, your driver. While I’m loading your bags in the trunk I’d like you to read my mission statement.’
Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said:
Wally’s Mission Statement:
To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.
This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, “Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.”
My friend said jokingly, ”No, I’d prefer a soft drink.”
Wally smiled and said, “No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.” Almost stuttering, Harvey said, “I’ll take a Diet Coke.”
Handing him his drink, Wally said, “If you’d like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.”
As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, ‘These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you’d like to listen to the radio.’
And as if that weren’t enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he’d be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.
“Tell me, Wally,” my amazed friend asked the driver, “have you always served customers like this?”
Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. “No, not always. In fact, it’s only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day.
He had just written a book called You’ll See It When You Believe It . Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, ‘Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.’
“That hit me right between the eyes,” said Wally. ”Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy, so I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.’
“I take it that has paid off for you,” Harvey said.
“It sure has,” Wally replied. “My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I’ll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don’t sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can’t pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.’
Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I’ve probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn’t do any of what I was suggesting. Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.
How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you… The ball is in our hands!
A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up… let us do good to all people. Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar!
So, what about you? Are you working hard and complaining about your fate…or are you soaring like an eagle and achieving?
All the Best,
Tisha
From Biz Mommy, post Working Hard vs. Achieving
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19 Comments
Oh Tisha.
Stories like these give me goose pimples, they really do. I also go straight to, oh what am I?
Am I a duck or an eagle?
I must say I am still oscillating between the two, but I am working on it.
I also am realizing that it applies to all areas of my life; I can not be half pregnant.
I am in transition yes, to become an eagle always and everywhere.
When I am cooking, I am cooking eagle food in an eagle way.
When I am dealing with my children I am transforming to do it in an eagle way.
That is the only way to become a fully fledged one and not to slip backwards and forwards in and out-of-integrity.
It is about becoming wholesome and about fully appreciating how wonderful we are.
Regardless of our circumstances, we can always go beyond their.
I find that extremely beautiful and inspiring, to see somebody going beyond playing small.
Oh Tisha, I love this, this is what keeps me learning until I die, the promise of going beyond the boundaries of circumstances. xox Wilma
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Integrity, accountability, what is NOT going on? =-.
Oh, I know Wilma, isn’t it great…I just never tire of reading or telling that story! I too am striving to be an eagle “always and everywhere.” Here’s to that wonderful, exhilarating, complicated and challenging journey – I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Tisha,
what a super cool story!
Indeed, we always have a choice how we will go through our life’s journey. We are what we think. Our reality is mirror to our inner intentions.
It is so amazing to soar up in the sky with you, pulling more people to fly above in the sky to enjoy a gift of life.
Thank you for your gifts, Tisha.
cheers,
i.
Hey Ivana – it is a great story, isn’t it? If only we all lived every day like that….*sigh* well, until that time, I’m happy to keep soaring with you!
. Thanks for the visit…always glad to see your lovely smile!
Hi Tisha,
I’m a firm believer in bringing a positive attitude to the workplace and have listened to or read many stories geared toward helping us shape our views on work and working, but this story blew me away. This cab driver did more than just bring a positive attitude, he oozed positivity through his pores. The completeness of his follow through of the initial idea was truly fantastic.
Working hard is virtuous, but working smart is even better. Having a goal is a start, but actively working toward that goal is what keeps life interesting and helps us turn dreams into reality.
Loved this post. Thanks for sharing.
Ray
You’re most welcome Ray! Always glad to share an inspiring story. You’re so right about working smart; Many people spend so much time complaining about how hard their job is, rather than figuring out a way to make it easier or actively seeking a change. As the story shows, if we step “outside the box” and take a leap to do something different, we never know what might be waiting around the corner. Thanks so much for stopping by…always a pleasure!
xo,
tisha
hi tisha,
how are you?
i loved the analogy of the judge and the janitor. it clear distinguishes the difference between working hard and achieving.
but wait!!!! i would love to take wally’s cab here in london thats so inspiring
.-= ayo´s last blog ..Don’t Give Up On Life =-.
Hi Ayo!
I’m great, thanks. Yes, I think many people get caught up in the hard work mentality because that’s considered “good”, but they often neglect thinking about what they’re really working toward. And let me know if you ever come across a cabbie like Wally…I’d fly across the pond just to meet him!
Thanks for stopping by…
Tisha, this is such an inspiring story, thank you for sharing its warmth and wisdom on this beautiful day here in the mountains in Japan. But as Harvey pointed out in his story, he told over 50 other cab drivers about Wally, and only two followed through with the idea for themselves. Stuck right where we are, endlessly complaining about being stuck, seems to be exactly where many people want to be in their lives. The doorway to another choice may be wide open, the light from within may welcome, but too few of us actually cross that threshold into a more creative and fulfilling existence. Stuck may limit, but it seems so safe to so many. Once we walk through that doorway, who knows what unknown worlds of wonder await – and this limitless potential seems to be quite frightening.
Speaking of stepping into creative intelligence, please stop by when you have a moment to enjoy a breath of springtime on my latest blog post from Japan. Thank you, Tisha, from the mountains – Catrien Ross.
.-= Catrien Ross´s last blog ..Catrien Ross on Reviving Your Passion and Purpose in Spring Vibrations from Japan =-.
Hello Catrien,
Good to see you again! It really saddens me that I’ve had so many conversations with people who believe they are “stuck” in their situation. And then, just as in the story, when you offer a choice of solutions…well, there’s just one excuse after another. I have a friend who says that if you don’t take suggestions for change at least into consideration, then you lose the right to complain…ever!
Thanks for your comments Catrien, it’s always great to have you here. And I look forward to heading over to your place tomorrow to enjoy springtime in Japan
xo,
tisha
What a great story Tisha! There is something everyone can learn from this, being someone who really serves other people makes such a difference on so many levels. Thanks for the great inspiration today. LOVE the look of your site btw!
Jen
Hi Jen!
Thanks for visiting…and I have to tell you again how much I enjoyed your post on taking a step back. It’s really gotten me thinking more about some changes I’ve wanted to make in how I organize my work hours. Thanks for that. I also appreciate your comment about my site; it took me a while to settle on something I’m happy with, so I’m glad to hear when others find it appealing.
Enjoy your day!
I complelety agree. It is the hardest thing in the world to take a leap into the unkown or untested but if we are committed to something, that is what we need to be doing for ourselves and demonstrating for our childen. I, personally am neither a duck nor an eagle. I am a platypus – I am a little of everything but also unique. I look harmless but can be venomous when I need to and I lay eggs
.-= eyesofbabes´s last blog ..Dads in the Mix: John Doe-Berg =-.
Very nice story. I am keeping a copy of this. I will send it to all the people I care about, I want them to soar like eagles.
Come to think of it I have been a duck for a long time, its just right to look around and beat my competition, soar like the eagle. I have been looking for mentors at Mentor club. Need a life coach to help me fast track being an eagle.
I found you thought SITS Saturday Sharefest, and I love your blog, I can’t wait to read more. YOu are a great writer and very inspriational!
http://www.justanothermomday.blogspot.com
Hi Amy!
So sorry it’s taken me so long to respond, but I just found your comment in my spam folder…I’m glad I decided to have a look! Thank you so much for your kind comments and I’m glad you like the blog. I stopped by Just Another Manic Momday and it’s awesome – Jack is adorable
. I will definitely visit again soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
Tisha, Thank you for stopping by SITS last night. Thank you for being the last to post before I did, so that I had the honor of reading this post and finding your blog. I’m truly enlightened. What a wonderful, motivational story. All the best, Julie
.-= Julie´s last blog ..What we can learn from Darryl Strawberry (Celebrity Apprentice 2010) =-.
Hi Julie,
Welcome to the blog! Thanks for your kind comments and I’m glad you enjoyed that story…it really is one of my favorites. I hope to see you again soon; enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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