Work While it is Day

“The early bird gets the worm.”

John Ray, A Collection of English Proverbs, Circa 1670-1678

 

Today, I am here . . .

Tomorrow, I will be . . .

By the end of this week, I will . . .

Three years from now, I will accomplish the goal of . . .

Five years from now, I will arrive at . . .

 

How would you finish any or all of those statements? How will you get from this point in time to where you would like to be in the future? Physically—mentally – psychologically – spiritually – where are you headed?

I can still remember (even though it is many years past) those last months before I started the transportation company that my wife Carol and I currently own. Family members, worried about my plan, were not afraid to vocalize their concern. A retired executive with the SBA (Small Business Administration) counseled and advised me not to open our company because of limited capital resources at that time.

As if it were only yesterday, I remember my ‘thoughts’ during that meeting: “If I do not do it now, I might not do it when years go by and I have become successful in another job. I might not want to do it then.”  All of the apprehensions expressed by others were reasonable. They were trying to help me.  I can also quote verbatim my response to the SBA counselor: “I have burned my bridges.  If I do not do it today, I will probably not do it tomorrow. I have already made my decision.”

My effort, at a time when others were expressing legitimate concerns, reminds me of a poem written by Englishman John Askham:

Work while the day is long,

While the right arm is strong,

While the life-blood is young,

Night cometh on.

 

Work while the sun is high,

In the bright smiling sky;

Swiftly life’s minutesfly:

Night cometh on . . .

It is obvious that Askham is encouraging us to make an effort early in the day. But doing something ‘early’ may be typical of other aspects in our lives. How important is it to be ‘early’ in that personal project? What about our timely effort in a goal that may take months or years to accomplish?  Buying a home; getting a college degree; solving a family problem. How important are the early days? My own personal experience leads me to believe that our initial efforts are not just essential – they are pivotal.

Early efforts are often the difference between success or failure.

Yet, an early effort may also be the most difficult and challenging. Our first month’s revenues in our new transportation company – over 40 years ago — totaled only $7.50. Revenues in the second month grew to over $500.  Those first 30 days seemed like 30 months. Five deliveries priced at $1.50 each spread out over 30 days. An eternity!

That first test in your freshman year in college.  How difficult and how important? What about that first deposit toward the downpayment for that new home? And, that first one-on-one meeting with another family member to resolve that major family crisis? How essential? How challenging?

Our early struggle is reflected in Askham’s words . . .

What though we toil in pain,

T’will not be all in vain;

Haste then the good to gain:

Night cometh on.

 

What though grief rack the breast?

Doth there not come a rest?

Let us then do our best:

Night cometh on.

Askham’s message is more than that of timeliness. He is suggesting that we put forth our best effort in the initial days. We have all heard the traditional proverb, “The early bird gets the worm” (first recorded in 1670). The unseen success principle in this ancient axiom is that the early bird gets the worm . . . only because it makes a great effort.

The earliest time frame of any worthwhile project or goal may be the most difficult. Yet, often hidden in those initial days, is an important success principle.

Succeed by doing our best early.

Askham continues . . .

Life is a season lent;

Moments are treasures sent;

See that they’re wisely spent:

Night cometh on.

 

“If I do not do . . . now, I might not . . .”

 Today, I will make an early best effort in . . .