Two stories

Stories about the truth of life. Thanks a lot to Prof. Dan for sharing these with us.

This is a story similar to the one that we have often read (atleast in India) in the kids story books.

Two friends had gone wandering in the forest. Suddenly they heard sounds of a bear approaching. It was clear that their lives were in danger. Now they knew from old wisdom that bears do not attack dead people, so they decided to lie silently on the ground.

As the bear approached nearer, one of the friends got up and was ready to run. The second friend asked him what made him change his decision. He replied, "I just realized that to save my life, I do not need to outrun the bear, I just need to outrun you." And he ran.

This is competition. And life.

There is another story told to us by elders (or we read it in children's books).

There was a king who had lost a battle and had fled to a cave in the nearby mountains. There he saw a spider who was trying to build a web on the wall of the cave. The spider tried a hundred times to climb up, but failed. Yet, he did not give up. Finally, he succeeded.

We are often told this story to try and try and try and not give up. This is not quite the right thing to do in life. Its utter bullshit. If you are doing something that you couldnt succeed at after a few attempts, dont do it. There are definitely people who have managed to do that thing right in the first attempt, and they will be better at it than you. Always. It is highly unlikely that you will ever be the numero uno in that. And if you are not the best, dont be there. Try doing something else that you are better suited for.

(** words between the lines for i-bank analysts: Not everyone is meant to be a banker. If you dont get good ratings as analysts, you are not meant to be a bankers. Dont stay in the job trying for years and years. Quit.)

In the age of competition, you have to be the best. Being better isnt enough.