Are You on Top of the Foodchain?

Last week, after surfing the channels looking for something interesting to watch, I stumbled upon a very interesting documentary on the Smithsonian channel.  Apparently, some whale watchers captured video of a Killer Whale eating a Great White Shark.

Now everything we’ve ever seen or heard about Great Whites suggests they sit on top of the food chain.  Nothing preys on them and they have their run of the ocean.  In this video clip however, the Great White was no match for the Orca.

Every success story begins by somebody having a dream or goal and then working hard, against many odds, to achieve it.  Attaining success is just part of the battle though.  Retailers and products experience rags-to-riches-to-rags stories. Even “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” was the “baddest man in the whole damn town” until somebody left him “looking like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.”  Please forgive the old song quote. I could not help myself.

So how to do you stay on top of the food chain?  Here are some suggestions:

Remember what got you there.  There is a tendency, after a long-drawn-out climb to the top, to relax and enjoy the view.  I’ve experienced periods like this where I don’t seem to have the same motivation to keep up the grind, I’ve had several setbacks at work as punishment to keep me from slacking off again.  Just keep in mind, when you’re on top, there’s somebody else, even hungrier than you were, waiting to take your place.

Don’t get complacent.  Just because nobody can challenge you now doesn’t mean they can’t in the future.  In the documentary I watched, the Great White cruised over to take on the Orca (which was not native to this particular part of the ocean) not realizing it wouldn’t be intimidated.  Keep one eye on the prize and the other one looking over your shoulder (I know that’s anatomically impossible but you know what I mean…)

Don’t be arrogant.  Quiet confidence always wins the day over overt arrogance.  I’ve heard that it’s not the roaring lion you ought to fear – they’re the old, toothless ones who roar to keep you away.  Fear the young ones that creep up on you… Don’t ever give up on pursuing your dreams.  It’s healthy and a key to total career success.  In the same, don’t give up on holding on to your dreams.  The top of the food chain is certainly the BEST place to be, but don’t let anyone take you off of it willingly.

Oh and just some food for thought.  Even the Orca isn’t on top of the food chain.  After all, haven’t you seen Shamu at Sea World obediently jumping over a pole for a few little fish as a reward?  Do you get the feeling they’re just humoring the trainers?  If they really wanted to, they could easily reestablish their place on top of the food chain…

Assertiveness or Persistence

What’s the opposite of assertiveness and persistence? Aggressiveness and demanding.  One works and the other doesn’t.  Do one and you’ll get taken seriously, do the other and you’ll be laughed at.

Assertiveness is stating what you want in a respectful, but no-nonsense tone.  Assertiveness doesn’t demand, it states strongly.  Aggressiveness demands emotionally with an implied threat if demands aren’t met.  It certainly works, but usually with damage done.  Be aggressive long enough and you’ll be avoided at all cost.

Persistence is the act of sticking with a request by using different approaches to achieve the desired end-state.  There is a fine balance between persistence and annoyance.  Persistence is a series of gentle reminders.  Done with the right tone and variety, they will achieve their goal.  Demanding has the subtlety of a jackhammer.  It often works (just as you’d do most anything to shut the noise of a jackhammer off) but results are short-lived and pretty much guarantees that it’s a one-time victory.

People who are aggressive and demanding get what they want, but will never be taken seriously.  Using a tactful mix of assertiveness and persistence is the strategy of any successful salesperson or business person.  The tools take less emotion, use less fear, and build up confidence.  Learned early enough, they are your ticket to success in school, relationships, and in the beginning stages of work life.  Applied consistently, they are the building blocks of successful careers.   Ultimately, they’ll send the message that you’re mature and should be taken seriously. 

Little Things are Important

If you think about it, most of the major issues we face all begin with a small problem.  The Titanic was sunk by an iceberg just grazing its side, scratching out the rivets that made the hull separate.  Most airplane crashes happen as a result of several small issues culminating into one big catastrophe.

When I was in the Army, one of the first phrases we learned in basic training was “pay attention to detail.”  Paying attention to detail means that we proactively look at all the little things that could have a big impact.  Obviously in the Army it’s important when you’re on an important mission and lives and cost are at stake.  I think it’s important for all of us on a daily basis.

One small miscommunication can expand into a major misunderstanding and conflict.  A small detail left out of a project plan can cause the entire process to break down.  On missing ingredient can turn that perfect recipe into something your dog wouldn’t eat.

We often tell people not to “sweat the small stuff” but in reality, paying attention to the “small stuff” might prevent a much bigger problem.  Just like a small mechanical issue on your car can turn into a large bill, your small issue can cost time, money, and sometimes relationships.

This week, I’m going to make a concerted effort to really look at the details of stuff that I’m planning.  Maybe this attempt to “sweat the small stuff” will pay big dividends for me.  Will you join me?

This past week those of us in Texas and other states faced the prospect of having a chance to win one of the largest Mega Millions jackpots of all time – a whopping $656 million.  In the days leading up each drawing, people began lining up for tickets, optimistic in their chances for winning.  Just on my Facebook page alone, several of my friends said things like:

“Don’t bother buying one, I have the winning ticket.”

“I won’t be going to work on Monday”

Amazing the optimism since the estimated odds at winning the jackpot stood at 1 in 176 million. By Friday night, after it had grown for more than nine weeks, Americans had spent nearly $1.5 billion on Mega Millions tickets — the equivalent of nearly $5 for every man, woman and child in the USA. They spent more than $429 million on Friday alone.  The average purchase was four tickets per person.

Large jackpots also bring forth the requisite comparisons on the odds of winning.  Here are a few:

You are 18 to 120 times more likely to die from a flesh-eating bacteria than to win the lottery (1 chance in 1 million).

What are the chances that if you’re playing with a group of four that two of you will get a hole-in-one on the exact same hole? At 17 million to 1, they’re better than the chances of you winning the lottery.

What about dying from a snake bite or bee sting? You’re 180 to 1,200 times more likely to die from one of these incidents than win the lottery. That’s because the probability of dying from a snake bite or bee sting is about 100,000 to 1.

You are 30,000% to 200,000% more likely to die in a legal execution than to win the lottery.

Here’s an interesting thought:  Aside from winning the Mega Millions, your chance of doing most anything else productive and fun in your life is actually 1 in 3.  How does this work?

For every request, there are three possible answers:

Yes

No

Let me think about it/maybe

So, if that holds true, here are some interesting things to consider:

You want a raise at work?  Your odds are 1 in 3.

Want that certain somebody to go out on a date with you?  Your odds are 1 in 3.

Want to get that college degree?  Your odds of success are 1 in 2.

Want to lose weight this year?  Your chance of success is 1 in 2.

Need to get over your fear of public speaking?  Odds of success are 1 in 2.

For most anything in life we really need, the odds are actually pretty good.  Dreamers hope a lottery ticket will solve all of their problems. Doers do a series of small things, each day, to ensure success.  Doers aren’t afraid to ask for something because the odds of success are either 1 in 2 or 1 in 3.  If that’s the case, why would anyone sit back and depend on a Mega Millions ticket to save the day?

Sure it’s fun to dream.  I wouldn’t mind getting a chunk of $656 million.  Realistically though, I know my potential for success is in my own hands.  I’ll take those odds any day.

This week, ask yourself: Am I a dreamer or a doer?  If you’re a doer, then get busy doing!  If you’re a dreamer?  Well….pleasant dreams….