“The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing,” quipped Socrates.
Nothing is exactly what I knew about taking care of an aquarium six months ago.
I had a lot to learn to create an environment where success was possible. Little did I know that, along the way, my aquarium would highlight some very important life lessons that extend well beyond the fish tank.
5 Important Lessons for Success
In life and aquariums, you must be very intentional to be successful. You can’t haphazardly throw things together and expect it all to work out.If you do, you’ll likely wake up one day to a mess.
On the other hand, you’ll never make any progress if you don’t get started. You may make some mistakes along the way, but that’s how you gain the experience necessary to succeed.
Here are the five lessons my aquarium taught me about success in life:
1. Patience Rules the Day
The most important thing to understand when starting a new aquarium is the nitrogen cycle. You can’t go down to the pet store, buy an aquarium and a few fish, go home, fill it with water and expect success. It just doesn’t work that way.A successful aquarium start-up takes plenty of patience. If you get the cart in front of the horse, you (or your fish) will soon regret it.
The same goes for success in life. You can’t expect too much too soon. You must practice patience.
There is a natural rhythm and order to achieving success. I’ve written about the Law of the Harvest before. You simply can’t ignore the nitrogen cycle in a fish tank and you can’t ignore the Law of the Harvest in life. Those that take the time to understand this (and abide by it) have a much greater chance of success.
2. You Must Get Along Well with Others
Not all fish are compatible tank mates. Some will nip and harass other fish to death – literally.If you want a successful aquarium, you must find fish that can get along well with others in tight quarters.
In the same way, if you want to be successful in life, you must be able to start and maintain successful relationships at home and at work.
That’s why “works well with others”
was on your Kindergarten report card. It is something you must learn
to do well before anything else will go right for you.
Your success in life is largely dependent on who you surround yourself with. Make good choices.
3. A Little Education Goes a Long Way
I have made a lot of mistakes so far with my aquarium (and in life). But, the one thing I did right was to buy and read a great beginner’s book on freshwater aquariums
before I purchased a single thing. I learned all kinds of important details that helped me get started
on the right foot with my tank and so I can sustain my success.Similarly, I believe a good education will take you a long way toward success in life. However, I don’t think all your education has to come from brick and mortar schools.
Jim Rohn said, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” This is so true. You are responsible for your education. You choose what you learn and how much you learn. The resources are available. It is up to you to dive in.
You can never stop learning. You are capable of so much more than what you’ve achieved so far in life. Make an education plan for yourself and get going on what’s next for you.
4. Experts Are Priceless
Despite my efforts to educate myself on how to successfully operate an aquarium, my tank would be a disaster if it weren’t for “The Fish Lady”. That’s what she calls herself. She’s an expert. She has the experience that I lack.Education is one thing. Experience is another. Experts with experience are priceless. They’ve learned the hard way and are usually very willing to share their wisdom with you.
You need an expert to mentor and guide you. Probably more than one. Do not ignore this lesson! It could be a fatal mistake.
Find yourself a few experts to learn from and follow them. It will make your journey to success so much easier.
5. Persistence Pays Off
Finally, my latest hobby has reinforced that persistence pays off.I’ve had some discouraging setbacks with my aquarium. I’ll admit that I contemplated giving up a couple of times, but in the end I stuck it out and now I have a beautiful tank that I enjoy on a daily basis.
That’s the way it is with success (in anything). You have to give yourself permission to make some mistakes and to work through them. You have to be willing to pay the price to move from novice to barely competent to confident and eventually…you’ll be the expert. Stick it out until you realize your dream.
These five lessons all work together to carry you to success. They are building blocks that stack one upon another. Use them to construct your future. One that is full of success, achievement and enjoyment.
