Lessons Learned From An Ant

Yes, you read that right. I didn’t say “Aunt” I said “Ant.” I know that may seem odd and honestly at first I thought the same but the other day it just hit me as I stared at ants crawling up a palm tree.

I was laying out trying to catch some amazing sun down here in FL while enjoying being away from work. I turned over and faced a palm tree that stood outside the fence and I could see ants on the tree. I focused in on them and just started to watch as the first 5 made their way up the tree while carrying something large on their back that literally was double the size of them. Soon after there were more groups making their way up the tree in the same line and order that the other ones did. Once the first batch of ants made it up top then they made their way back down. It was like a process that never ended. I just sat there watching them thinking “good Lord they could teach us all a few things!”

• Hard work doesn’t come easy.
• Don’t complain.
• Sometimes the load is heavy on our backs but we have to keep moving.
• It’s not about competition, it’s about teamwork.
• Watch and learn from those in front of you who have been there or down that same path.
• When your world gets turned upside down then press forward and don’t look back.
• Work until you’re done (taking a break is overrated).

Think about it…how many times have you stepped on ant pile whether you meant to or just happened to kick it as you walk by? This is natural to us but have you ever noticed that literally the next day there is an ant hill in the same place or only a few feet away from it? Those little suckers worked all night to rebuild. They didn’t just run off after their world came crumbling down, they came together, rebuilt it and maybe even made some new adjustments to it (hey, you never know).

What I’m getting at is that you can’t get discouraged when you’re building a business, just starting out or trying to revamp a business. Things take time but sometimes when things don’t go as planned (like your hill gets demolished) then you have to move and try to make things better than they were before. Business is about growth, learning what works or doesn’t work and it’s about the teamwork. No one single person can do it all so hire those that you trust.

Yes, this was a bit deep for me but sometimes it’s the simple things in life we sometimes forget about to stop and take in….even the life of an ant.

Joy and Southern Comfort,

-Ashley