Why you need to move forward to succeed

You probably know that sharks breathe using their gills.  As fresh water passes in to the shark’s mouth and over the gills, this animal’s unique aquatic physiology allows it to absorb oxygen from the water and send it to life-sustaining organs.  In fact, a shark’s very survival depends upon the constant movement of fresh water through its respiratory system, and there are only two ways that this can happen.  Depending on the species, the shark must either continuously move forward in order to ensure a constant fresh supply of water, or if standing still, it must pump water over its gills using its own muscles.

Whichever approach the shark utilizes, both offer a profound message to humans: we need to move forward. The shark cannot afford to stay motionless and do nothing, else it will die.  A human being cannot afford to stay static and do nothing, else, at least figuratively, it too will die.  In order to succeed and to excel, it is necessary to constantly move forward and take action.  As you seek to achieve your best in both your professional and personal lives, you too must constantly strive to move forward: to learn more, to teach more, to make a greater difference in the lives of others.  Only then will you truly be successful.

What helps you continue to move forward when it would be easier to stay where you are? Can you think of a time when taking action, even a small step, led to an unexpected opportunity or result? Is there an area in your professional or personal life where you know you need to stop standing still and start moving forward?  Please share your thoughts and experiences so we can all learn together. Add your comment below.