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…