The Cautionary Tale of Running Before We Can Talk

The ‘Rags to Riches’ story teaches us two things:

1. We have every right to the riches, but also…
2. They will be taken from us if we haven’t done the hard yards

One of Christopher Booker’s 7 basic plots, this is a story of encouragement and optimism with a grounding lesson – success in whatever form will be snatched away from us if we achieve it without having truly earnt or deserved it.

And only when we learn from that fall from grace will we be able to achieve our desire permanently.

Perhaps this is the story of your brand, team or company. Did the team, or perhaps a new initiative do brilliantly initially then something sideswiped the success away?

Business moves fast, wants quick results, but this story tells us that success can be shortlived if we haven’t set solid foundations or if we claim more than we can deliver.

Have you experienced fast success only to have it stripped away? What lesson did you have to learn or what work did you/will you have to do before being able to climb back up to renewed and permanent success?