The Attitude of The Ant

Proverbs 6:06 – 08 gives us a glimpse at the type of attitude that makes for success. It is not simply an individual attitude but it is a corporate culture, a collective attitude that allows one of God’s tiniest creatures to survive and even thrive regardless of the external conditions they face.

The writer says, “Go to the ant and consider, ponder, study, and meditate on her ways and be wise, that is become excellent in following suit.”

As I considered the attitude of the ant, there were four unique things that I drew from my consideration of the ant.

1. Ants have an attitude of perseverance that will not allow them to quit!
Have you ever noticed that if ants are traveling or going somewhere and you try to stop them, that they will simply climb over you; climb under; go around you; or find another way to get to where they are going? What a great attitude for any individual; any family; or any organization. When you know where you are headed…and your way gets blocked, look for alternative ways to get there but do not quit!

2. Ants have a proper attitude toward personal responsibility.
Each ant does its part and never complains about it not being his/her job. They have no need of a supervisor; a manager; a boss; or a leader. Each ant takes turns leading by example and doing carrying its fair share of the load. Every organization can reach its maximum potential when every person takes personal responsibility to carry their share of the load and then some!

3. Ants have a proper attitude toward work.
Ants think winter all summer and summer all winter. They are not so naïve or short sighted as to think that the beautiful days of summer will last always or the cold famine of winter will always be their lot. Therefore the ant works hard during the summer because they know that winter is on the way. While hibernating during the winter, ants think, “this won’t last forever, soon summer will be here and we will be back to work.” Ants have an attitude that is work is fun and they enjoy what they do. When you enjoy your work – you work for fun.

4. Ants have a proper attitude toward possessions.
Have ever noticed that the ant gathers as much provisions as possible? They will team up to carry the load just so that they can have as much as possible. The attitude of doing and getting as much as possible, while you can is vital to the success of the ant. This same attitude is vital to your success…during the time that you have; do the best you can; for as long as you can; and gather all that you can. Get all the knowledge that you can; all the friends that you can; get all the land that you can; give all the service that you can; help as many people as you can.

Consider the Attitude of the Ant!

Be A Friend

One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 18:24 it says, “A man who has friends must first show himself friendly; but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Friendship is important to all of us…because all of us need a friend at some point in our lives. However to have a friend you must first be a friend. God will not reward you or I for the number of friends we had in our lives. He will reward us according to the number of people we were a friend to in life.

To be a friend means that in a world filled with phonies - you are honest and real; in a life where people are shallow – you are committed; when faced with decisions and choices that could hurt – you do what is right.

Being a friend means that when your friends doubts themselves – you believe in them; when your friends are overwhelmed – you stand by them; and when they fall – you pick them up.

Being a friend means that you know enough about your friend to destroy them – but you don’t.

Remember – that God has called you His friend. He knows enough about you to destroy you – but He won’t. He will stick closer than a brother. Now that's friendship.

Assumptions You CAN Make

Leadership Lesson
“Assumptions You CAN Make”

Most leaders understand that making assumptions is unwise and can result in a bunch of I wish I hadn’t done that problems, at least they understand this academically. Most of us have heard the old saying goes: “When you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME.”

Yet, as imperfect people; leaders, fathers, mothers, teachers, supervisors, managers, and teammates, we all tend to make assumptions.

So the question is, “Are there any safe assumptions that we can make? Are there things that, you can feel okay in assuming and thus behaving accordingly? Here are a few:

• The e-mails you send will be seen by more people than those they are addressed to and intended for.

• Things said “just between you and me” will not always stay, “just between you and me.”

• In all of your dealings with team members, what goes around WILL come around – back at you.

• Your employees cannot read your mind. If you do not tell them what you are thinking, they will assume they know…and there is a good chance they will assume wrong.

• Problems you choose to avoid - will usually get worse.

• “As long as you don’t hear from me, you know you are doing okay” - is just not true.

• Treat one team member poorly, and ten people will hear about it – including your boss … and HR.

• Your ability to get another leadership position, will be directly related to how well you do on the job you have now.

• Whenever you think “no one will know,” someone WILL.

• Whenever you think “no one will care,” someone WILL.

• Whenever you think “it will never be missed,” it WILL.

• Whenever you think you are as good as you need to be, YOU’RE NOT!

Persevere

Perseverence means
1. Succeeding because you are determined to - not because you are entitled to.
2. Understanding that this life is not one long race - but many short races in succession.

In order to reach your destiny and fulfill your vision, perseverence is key. The ability to outlast problems; disappointments; discouragements; and even disillusionment. Perseverence is needed to win the prize.

The story has been told of the Sales Executive who met with over 2,000 of his sales associates and asked them the question, "Did the Wright Brothers quit?" "No!" They shouted. "Did Charles Lindberg quit?" "No!" They responded with excitement. "Did Lance Armstrong quit?" "No!" They stood up and screamed. "Did Felix McCarver quit?"

There was a long, confused and cautious silence. Then a salesperson shouted, "Who in the world is Felix McCarver? Nobody has ever heard of him." The Sales Executive shouted back..."Of course you haven't...that's because he quit!"

The Scriptures says, "We will reap a harvest, in due season, if we do not give up."