Why elephants don't run

[eXweso]

Interesting email..Read on...

Why The Elephants Don't Run

A number of years ago, I had the rather unique experience of being backstage in Madison Square Garden, in New York, during the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. To say the least, it was a fascinating experience. I was able to walk around looking at the lions, tigers, giraffes and all the other circus animals. As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They think the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."
I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they could not, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? How many of us are being held back by old, outdated beliefs that no longer serve us? Have you avoided trying something new because of a limiting belief? Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else's limiting beliefs? Do you tell yourself you can't sell because you're not a salesperson?

Particularly in starting or running a business, we are cautioned not to take risks, usually by well intentioned friends and family. How many of us have heard, "You can't do that?" These are the dream stealers who, due to their own limiting beliefs, will attempt to discourage you from living your dreams. You must ignore them at all cost! I am not suggesting that you should not seek advice from qualified individuals and mentors, but that you avoid like the plague, being swayed by the limiting beliefs of others, especially people who are not in their own business.

Challenge your own limiting beliefs by questioning them. If you begin to question a belief, you automatically weaken it. The more you question your limiting beliefs, the more they are weakened. It's like kicking the legs out from under a stool. Once you weaken one leg, the stool begins to lose its balance and fall. Think back to a time when you "sold" someone on yourself. We are selling all the time. You have to sell your ideas to your spouse, your children, and your employees - even your banker. Maybe, as a child, you sold Girl Scout cookies or magazine subscriptions to raise money for your school team. That was selling too!

Once you realize you are, in fact, a capable salesperson, you have weakened that old belief and began to replace it with a new, empowering one. Look for references to support the new beliefs you want to cultivate. As in the example of the stool, you want to reinforce your beliefs by adding more and more "legs" to them. Find people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish, discover what they did and model their behavior. Remember back to times in your past when you were successful and use that experience to propel yourself forward. If your challenge is in sales, read sales books and listen to tapes or attend sales seminars. This is a critical area of your business. One that cannot be undermined by limiting beliefs.

There is a technique called "fake it until you make it" that works well. I am not suggesting you live in denial, just that you begin to see yourself succeeding. Visualize your successes. See yourself vividly in your minds eye making the sale and reaching your goals. Affirm, over and over, that you are succeeding.

Write your affirmations daily. Of course, make sure you take the appropriate action. As it says in the Bible, "Faith without works is dead."

Remember that your subconscious mind does not know the difference between real and imaginary. Before you go on a sales call, take a moment and mentally rehearse the scene, just like actors and athletes do. Tell yourself, "I'm a great salesperson." Do this over and over, especially just before a sales call. See the sale being made. See and feel the success. You will be pleasantly amazed at the result. Don't take my word for it. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It has been said throughout history that what ever you believe, with conviction, you can achieve. Don't be like the poor elephant and go through your life stuck because of a limiting belief you were given or developed years
ago. Take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You deserve the best!

By Jim Donovan

[megamoose]

Amazing. Pretty interesting. TBH I thought there was going to be some sort of scam or pharmacy link at the bottom when you said email

Nice post.

Mark

[StrongInTheArm]

Here I stand atop the highest building ready to succeed. I will not be held back any longer. I am no longer limited by my previous beliefs. I am Mr Chirp from Flysville. No one can steal my dreams.

Do I have limiting beliefs, hell no! Do I think I will fail, hell no! I will not fail, I cannot fail! My stool has multiple legs of steel, it will not topple. I did the long jump at school and survived, I jumped from the highest rung of the highest ladder in gym. I've flown thousands of miles high above the clouds many times.

I can do it, I will do it, its as good as done already. OK, I'm ready, Mr Chirp ready to sail across the sky.

Here I go.

"It has been said throughout history that what ever you believe, with conviction, you can achieve."

Yeah! I can fly, I can fly, I can fly, Oh Sh*t!

[gommer683]

You should recite that speech at High Schools.

[watley]

Well, you gave proper attribution, but nonetheless have reproduced in full a copyrighted essay (from here). I think an excerpt with a link would be the appropriate thing to do, no?

[D3n!ss3_gÜrL]

Awesome! Thought it would be boring since it's way too long but then it made sense.

Will read again! *thumbsup

[eXweso]

Originally Posted by watley

Well, you gave proper attribution, but nonetheless have reproduced in full a copyrighted essay (from here). I think an excerpt with a link would be the appropriate thing to do, no?

I got it as an email, so mentioned that plus put the name of the original writer too And it is present on thousands of websites, ofcourse I googled that story before publishing it The writer doesn't seem to have any copyright page or something so I guess its fine.

[StrongInTheArm]

Exy baby, did you ask him for permission? Copyright is implied on all literary works, just like a painting. Its perhaps better to make a small quote/s of a particularly juicy part and then link to the original, that is what I do all the time. Watley hasn't objected once, well if he has he's done it very quietly

BTW elephants can run, in fact they stampede too, they don't know how to skip though, so maybe the thread title should have been 'Elephants can't skip'. I don't think they can tap dance either, but hey, has any body ever asked one. I think they are more into Modern Expressionism. I've seen an elephant that can paint if that helps.

[eXweso]

I thought I'd get infracted for linking to sites outside the webmaster area

[Cheers]

Perhaps the elephant was simply lazy, or had decided that were no Broadway shows on at the time that it particularly wanted to see.

[jabo]

"we are through with the past but the past is never through with us"

it is true that what we have learned before stays long in our minds... it is difficult to try again and break the rope... but who knows, maybe that elephant will learn someday and run away right..

[Sama3l.]

i just feel sorry for the ikkle baby elephants

[jowsefpirate]

interesting thanks for sharing

[N3wSeo]

nice story. This very good for reflections.

[StrongInTheArm]

Originally Posted by N3wSeo

nice story. This very good for reflections.

No, no, no. Elephants are not very cerebral, they don't stand around reflecting about life the universe and stuff. They eat peanuts, have mud baths and knock down trees. They really are not great thinkers. Although I have heard they are good at camouflage.

[N3wSeo]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

No, no, no. Elephants are not very cerebral, they don't stand around reflecting about life the universe and stuff. They eat peanuts, have mud baths and knock down trees. They really are not great thinkers. Although I have heard they are good at camouflage.

did I say that the elephant will reflect about their life? Reflecting I'm referring it to us people not to the elephant. You are right elephant aren't a good thinkers 'coz if they are they wouldn't just stand up and wait to be feed.

[StrongInTheArm]

Originally Posted by N3wSeo

did I say that the elephant will reflect about their life? Reflecting I'm referring it to us people not to the elephant. You are right elephant aren't a good thinkers 'coz if they are they wouldn't just stand up and wait to be feed.

I was just joking!

I see you like Celine Dion and Buon Jovi, that makes it all very clear now

[N3wSeo]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

I was just joking!

I see you like Celine Dion and Buon Jovi, that makes it all very clear now

Hmmm. And what is the connection please?

[yachika]

lazzyyy Elephant..nice post dude.