Perhaps you have heard Aesop’s fable “The Hare & The Tortoise.” The hare made fun of the tortoise for being so slow, and when challenged to a race the hare sprinted off leaving the tortoise behind. The Hare decided to take a nap to allow the tortoise time to catch up but overslept, and upon awaking the tortoise was too close to the finish line for the hare to catch up. Quick starts and a fast pace may serve you well in a race, but victory is most often achieved through the discipline of steady pacing.
Henry David Thoreau said, “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Both the hare and the tortoise were confident, and with a little humility on the part of the hare, they would have made a good team. If you move with confidence using your gifts, talents, and abilities, and appreciate the same in others, the unexpected success of teamwork could be astounding. Although we tend to celebrate superstars, even superstars need a team.
Even though some people like to think of themselves as self-made, no one can be successful without the help of others, even if it is against their will. The wealth of the industrial revolution could not have been made without cheap labor and a great nation like the United States could never have become as wealthy or powerful without slave labor. Our global success, and our advancement in every area of life is dependent upon others, but the greatest success comes through co-operation and a shared vision and mission with others. If we are disciplined for success, perhaps working together the dreamers, tortoises, and hares can successfully cross the finish line.