Stop digging is the obvious action, and the first rule of holes, if you're stuck in a hole, especially a hole you've dug yourself!
The furniture industry is stuck in a hole of its own doing. More like a cavern, but still a big hole that most single-minded and somewhat benighted merchants and manufacturers have dug for themselves.
Wittingly or not, they have dug the hole, a hole of missed opportunities, for themselves. No new products or furniture trade shows can lift the industry out of its holiness.
Yet, amazingly, despite a frenetic desire to escape, they keep digging and digging. That is, they keep doing the same things — selling instead of marketing — and expecting different results.
Invoking the first rule of holes, stop digging, already!
Take heed: The next step (important word, step) is start filling the hole, not to bury an old industry, but with disciplined action to establish a new foundation and firm footing to climb out with a new appreciation and desire to promote satisfaction, comfort and better living.
The fill material is commitment and desire to expand the industry's knowledge and refine its approach to the people it serves.
For a better perspective, the following Native American tale tells it all:
One day an old Native American's donkey fell down into a deep hole. The animal cried piteously for hours as the Native American tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old and the hole needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his clan people to come over and help him. They all began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down.
A few minutes later, the old Native American finally looked down the hole and was astonished at what he saw.
With every handful of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing!
He would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the hole and trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt! The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest holes just by not stopping and never giving up!
All we have to do is shake it off and take a step up.
Morale of the story and predicament: When your ass in a hole, stop digging! Start filling with thoughtful action not reaction.
Repost from March 26, 2006, with slight modifications.
vanis dis plia savy vozak de postra....
Posted by: Manish Chauhan | February 27, 2008 at 07:41 AM