Be a buffalo, not a cow

I recently stumbled upon a thought-changing podcast featuring Rory Vaden, best-selling author of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. In the podcast, Rory explained that, as humans, we are inclined to take the path of least resistance in life. (Guilty here.) He then offered a really cool analogy illustrating how procrastination inevitably leads us to more pain and problems.

In the Colorado Rockies, most storms come from the west and head eastward. Apparently, buffaloes and cows respond very differently to these oncoming storms.

When cows see a storm approaching, they run in the opposite direction from it. Unfortunately for them, they aren’t the fastest thing on cloven hooves. As the storm catches up with them, the cows fail to realize they are actually now running with the storm, prolonging the amount of time they have to endure the inclement weather.

Buffaloes, on the other hand, actually run directly toward a storm when they see it coming, so it passes over them quickly and their exposure is limited.

Be-a-buffalo

The bottom line from all this cowboy talk?

  1. What seemed like avoidance actually prolonged the pain.
  2. What seemed like a sacrifice brought desired results more quickly.

Problems we procrastinate on are amplified. Projects we procrastinate on prevent progress. 

Today, are you ready to be a buffalo and face your challenges head on?

To download a FREE frame-able print of my buffalo graphic, click here.

Special thanks to Arthur’s Free Clipart for the buffalo sketch.

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17 Responses

  1. Life altering advice. This is obviously the most difficult when the issue we face brings fear. I need to remember to turn around, face whatever ‘storm’ is at hand, and say ‘bring it.’

  2. Diana says:

    Awesome sharing on my facebook timeline if this is ok? I will wait to see if it is before I add though Thanks and love all your Ideas and this page of yours God Bless

  3. Rory Vaden says:

    Hey Susan!

    Glad you liked the analogy! Thanks for the post! Best to you and look forward to staying in touch!

    See you in the “stairwell”

    Rory

  4. Lisa E says:

    Great analogy, powerful. I totally love to stay in my comfort zone. Thanx so much for this post! That would be a great sign for the house, which would be a conversation piece as inquiring minds asked what it meant. Hmmmmm………

  5. Love this… thanks for sharing, Susan. 🙂

  6. Dorothy says:

    What a great visual to remember as we approach difficulties. Thank you.

  7. Audrey says:

    This is exactly what I needed to hear! You can’t know how timely this is for my life at this moment! Thank you for sharing!

  8. Angie W says:

    Love this post! I shared it on FB and Pinterest.

    Now I’m curious what the stairway reference is to. Is that another great story we should hear? If so, share with us, please!!

    • Susan says:

      Rory tags his correspondence with “See you in the ‘stairwell'” as a metaphor to encourage all of us to “take the stairs” by facing our challenges right now, doing the hard work to create our best lives, and quitting the procrastination! Rory explains this concept in more detail in his book “Take the Stairs” and in this free podcast: http://www.daveramsey.com/entreleadership/podcast. You should check it out. It has been thought-changing for me.

  9. Sandi says:

    WOW … God’s timing is impecable! I needed that just now at the moment I read it. Just wrote “Running 100 mph in the wrong direction” in my journal this morning – now I know I must face the challenge head on and be a Buffalo! I am going to share your post!

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