Get off the nail – today!!

June 30, 2011 in Personal Development with 11 Comments

This is one of the most commented-on stories in The Rudder of the Day.

I heard a story from my friend Bob about an old dog lying on the front porch.  A neighbor approached the porch and could hear the dog softly moaning.  He asked his friend why the dog was whimpering.  And the owner said:  “He’s lying on a nail.” Predictably the man said, “Well, why doesn’t he move?” To which the owner replied, “I guess it doesn’t hurt quite that much yet.”

About a year after sharing this story in my weekly newsletter I had an attorney call me.  He said he was that old dog – very much in pain about his daily activities but the pain was still almost tolerable.  The image was so indelibly etched in his mind that he started every day identifying with that old dog.  We discussed his situation, his clear sense that he was off track and the necessity for dramatic change in his life.  He was seeing his family, his health, and his peace being eroded by his commitment to keeping things the same.  Yet six months later I was still waiting for him to begin the process of introspection and exploration of new options.

“If you don’t have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.”
— A. R. Bernard

The comfort of familiarity can be so alluring; even if it is not the best.  I see countless people droning through their mundane lives, hanging on to their comfortable misery and blocking the thrill of new and unrealized but available successes.

I guess a lot of us are like that old dog.  We moan and groan about our situation, but don’t do anything.  How bad does the pain have to get before we get up and do something else?  In the workplace today there are incredible opportunities.  If we are in a negative environment, one that causes us pain and anguish, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at ourselves, define where we want to be, and develop a clear plan of action for getting there.

“He who has learning without imagination has feet but no wings.”

Stanley Goldstein

What is that familiar but annoying nail that’s poking you today?  What could you do to get up and move?

 

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE UPDATES!
Subscribe today and you’ll receive my exclusive audio download, How to Increase Your Self-Confidence for FREE.

Related posts:

  • Pingback: Get off the nail – today!! | ADBDAT

  • Gailita

    I think alot of people can “get off the nail” easier in their professional lives, than they can in their private lives.

  • Keith Kemp

    Dan,

    This is just what I needed to hear to keep moving forward.  Thank you for your words of ecouragement. 

    Keith

  • TMG

    Dan, I love reading your daily emails.  I am currently in a position that I dislike very much.  I am in the process of starting a side business, and on those days when it doesn’t seem worth it to pursue other avenues, I see your motivational emails and my passion and drive are revived!!!  Thanks a bunch!

    • Anonymous

      TMG – thanks for the note.  Stay focused on where that side business is taking you -

  • Michael A. Caschetta

    Thanks for that Dan Miller, that is just what the doctor ordered,or should I say,prescribed. Now I can use my imagination in a more productive way. Now let me see here, where did I put those wings !!

    • Anonymous

      Micheal – yep, learning can give us a base but without imagination we can have a PhD in the welfare line.

  • Michael Webb

    Thanks, Dan. That old nail has been bothering my backside for awhile, so it’s time to get up and move. Of course, from where I am, I’ll have to chart a course and sail or fly to a new destination.

  • Peter

    Dan, it seems that the simplest of stories can describe the heaviest of burdens. It’s amazing how much pain we are willing to endure to keep from letting go of the familiar. I myself have had to have it done by circumstance (loss of a job) so that I could see that my goals of self employment were possible. Should be an interesting journey. Thanks for the reminder!

  • Tawanda

    Dan, one of our young boys back home composed a catchy song on radio in venecular, loosely translated to say “Lord, show me where that fine line is, which divides human lives, those who have and those struggling to have, that I may go and cross it, that I may go to the other side, give as much as I want, feed my extended family, bless my community,  etc.”

    Seems to me to those who have, more is given, or rather more opportunity to make more is available. And to those on the other side of that fine line, well, your options are few. If you try to enter into the arena of those that have, your cushion is minimal, your dependants many, your free float of disposable money to cater for family commitments while you are away making more money is flat..To him who has,..what we need is a channel of crossing that line. Benefits of being onthe other side we pretty much know..

  • http://twitter.com/MelindaLBelle Melinda Belle

    This is what I needed to hear. My husband spoke to me the other day. He told me that right now the pain of not fulfilling my purpose is not greater than my pain in being in my job. He said to me some day soon the pain of not fulfulling my purpose will soon outweigh the pain of being in my job. Thank you Dan for encouraging me to move forward!