Persist Like A Squirrel

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." — Albert Einstein

What can you learn from a squirrel?

One way or another, it gets the nut. And it doesn’t care about looking silly.

Some among us enlightened humans refer to squirrels as tree rats. I beg to differ. They exhibit death defying acrobatics. They are adept at finding and storing food. Combine these two qualities, and you get entertaining displays of persistence.

Anyone who has ever put up a bird feeder knows the cleverness and determination of squirrels. One of the most popular videos on YouTube shows just how relentless and amazing these little critters are!

Squirrels often look graceful in their antics, but they also look ridiculous sometimes. And do they care? Nope! If silliness gets the nut, then so be it. Let everyone else laugh while they feast.

Squirrels are out-of-the-box thinkers. I've seen them...

• Unhook and drop bird feeders
• Remove the spring in spring loaded doors
• Perform mind-bending feats to get in tight spaces

The next time you face what appears to be an insurmountable task, think of the clever squirrel as your mascot:

• Come at the task from every conceivable angle.
• Fear not the fall. Learn from what it teaches.
• Be daring and courageous in your efforts.
• Be relentless in your pursuit.
• Be silly if it gets the nut.
• Think outside the box.

Food for Thought

Do you give up too easily on difficult tasks?

Or do you come at it like a squirrel getting the nut?

When is the last time you allowed silliness to learn or complete a task?

One Small Step

Not all problems must be solved overnight. When faced with something particularly difficult, allow your mind some time to play with alternatives and find a solution. Help it by seeking out new perspectives. And don't be afraid to look silly at times.