There was once a skilled archer who was renowned throughout the land for his exceptional ability. He could hit any target, no matter how small or far away, with perfect precision. Confident in his talent, he sought out a famous master of wisdom to prove that he had nothing left to learn.
When he met the master, the archer boasted, “I have perfected my skill. No one can shoot an arrow better than I can. There’s nothing more I need to know.”
The master smiled and said, “Let’s take a walk together.”
They walked to the edge of a deep forest, where the master led the archer to a narrow bridge stretched over a steep ravine. The bridge swayed in the wind, and beneath it was a fast-moving river. The master stood calmly at one end of the bridge and placed a small leaf in the middle of the bridge as a target.
“Now,” the master said, “show me your skill. Shoot this leaf while standing on the bridge.”
The archer, confident in his ability, stepped onto the shaky bridge. But as he took his position, the bridge swayed under his feet, and he realized how unstable it was. His hands trembled as he tried to aim, and he could feel the rush of fear rising in him. No matter how hard he focused, he couldn’t steady himself enough to shoot the arrow.
After several attempts, the archer gave up, frustrated and embarrassed. “Why couldn’t I do it?” he asked. “I’m the best archer, but I couldn’t hit such a simple target.”
The master gently replied, “Your skill is only part of the path to mastery. True mastery comes not just from hitting the target, but from controlling your mind in any situation. If you cannot stay calm in the face of fear or challenge, your skill alone will not carry you through.”
Moral of the story:
In the workplace, technical skills are important, but they are only part of the equation. Like the archer on the swaying bridge, staying calm and composed under pressure is what truly leads to success. It’s not just about how well you perform when things are easy, but how you handle challenges when the situation is unstable. 🏹🌿
