A recurring observation about business owners is their perpetual eagerness for innovative ideas to take their businesses to new heights.  However, the implementation of these ideas gets bogged down by the problems & challenges of turning these ideas into reality leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed.

This phenomenon is particularly pronounced at the start of a new year.  Business owners returning to work after the holiday season are filled with renewed energy & vigour to implement plans to grow their businesses.

At the start of 2024, I have been in conversation with two business owners who are in this situation.  Both talked about feeling overwhelmed and are looking for help to focus on where they will have the greatest impact.  The prevailing sense is one of stagnation with little progress in implementing their plans.

Having listened to their stories, I reminded them of the following parable about the hummingbird:

One day a terrible fire broke out in the forest – a huge woodlands was suddenly engulfed by a raging wildfire.  Frightened, the animals fled their homes and ran out of the forest.  As they came to the edge of a stream, they stopped to watch the fire.  They were feeling discouraged and powerless. Every one of them thought there was nothing they could about do the fire except for one little hummingbird.

 The little hummingbird decided it would do something.  It swooped into the stream and picked up a few drops of water and went into the forest to put them on the fire.  It went back to the stream and did it again.  It kept going back again and again and again.

 The other animals watched in disbelief: some even tried to discourage the hummingbird with comments like “Don’t bother, it is only a drop, and a drop will never put the fire out”.

 One of the animals shouted out in a mocking voice “What do you think you are doing?”

 The hummingbird without wasting time or missing a beat responded, “I am doing what I can”. 

The parable illustrates a crucial point – when confronted with formidable challenges business owners have a choice: succumb to helplessness and fear or, like the hummingbird, exert their best efforts with the resources available.   Consequently, I encourage business owners to embrace the philosophy of doing their best with the resources available and to approach whatever they undertake with unwavering dedication.