A SNAKE IS STILL A SNAKE

According to The Art of Manliness the best way to treat snakebites is to avoid getting bitten in the first place.  There’s an old joke about a farmer who finds a near-frozen rattlesnake by his home. He carries the snake inside, letting it warm by the fireplace. As soon as it begins to thaw, it strikes out and bites the man, who exclaims, “Why are you doing this?  I saved your life.”  The snake replies, “You have to remember, it’s what I do. After all, I’m a snake.”

As you pursue your goals in life, keep in mind that not everyone supports your dreams. There may be a few detractors or even snakes along the way. Some interesting statistics:

1. A 2011 Gallup survey show that 71 percent of workers are “not engaged” or “actively disengaged” from their work. Few people are truly happy in their jobs.
2. There is a current presidential campaign issue over “Envy”, a class separation between the 1% and the 99%—haves and have-nots.  Envy is a human trait, and if your goals are in part financial-success-based, you will have jealous detractors.
3. People have their own agendas, some that will conflict with yours. As in any good novel, you as a protagonist will face antagonist or two. Success is hardly attained without overcoming adversity—some of which is from competition.

So what’s the solution to living life in crescendo—pursuing your dreams—when there will be those who disagree with your vision or even want to see you fail? It’s not a simple answer, but here are a few snippets:

1. Devote your energy to your vision, within the boundaries of ethics and the law, and don’t let anyone dilute your efforts.
2. Build your inner circle of believers/supporters and spend less time with others who don’t care for you or your dreams.
3. Knowing how to gracefully say “no” to activities that don’t fit your devotion of time is important—time is a precious resource.
4. Patiently educate your inner circle of colleagues, friends and even family on your visions and goals. If they don’t support your efforts, spend less time with them.
5. If anyone purposely set-outs to hurt you, diplomatically cut the cord immediately.

You can’t enable detractors or snakes and still live life in crescendo. Perhaps Shakespeare said it best, “To thine own self be true.”