Sled dog

Imagine you are one of a team of six big, strong huskies harnessed in single file
to a sled full of provisions for the winter. Now, imagine that you are the lead dog.
Now, imagine that you (the lead dog) are lying down, unable or unwilling to stand
up and pull the sled.
How successful will the other five dogs on the team be in pulling the sled as long
as you are lying down?
This is one of my favorite metaphors. It is just so simple and clear.
Each of us is our own lead sled dog. No matter how much potential exists in the
friends and family who love and support us, their potential is useless until we
stand up and start pulling. The moment we accept our responsibility as lead sled
dog, and “mush” forward, we harness our own strength and the strength of all the
other dogs to help us plow ahead.
When I think of my life in these terms, I can really feel the power and support
backing me up.
* “Be your own sled dog.” is an excerpt from Thom’s book, Nutshell Essays: 52 Brief
Lessons for Big Change, available from amazon.com
C.