Source : The Internet
Chi Yung and Yum Choi worked in the same company, they were of similar age, joined the company around the same time and were both equally dedicated at work. However, soon after Yum Choi started to work, he was valued by the General Manager and was promoted several times from administrator to divisional manager, whereas Chi Yung, seemed to be forgotten and remained at the same foundation level.
One day, Chi Yung decided to submit his resignation to the General Manager as he could not tolerate the situation anymore. He boldly told the General Manager that he was short of vision as he did not appreciate and recognise those who worked industriously, and only favoured those who were obsessed with flattery and bragging. After listening to Chi Yung, the General Manager knew that Chi Yung worked very hard, but there was something in him that was missing, and if he told him directly he would most certainly not accept this. The General Manager had an idea. He said, “Chi Yung, maybe my vision was a bit muddled, but I need to verify this, can you now go to the market and see what is for sale.”
Chi Yung returned from the market very quickly, and he said there was an old farmer who had a cart of potatoes for sale.
“Approximately how heavy is the cart of potatoes?” the General Manager asked Chi Yung. He immediately went back to the market, and after a while returned saying that the cart had over 40 sacks of potatoes, each weighed roughly 20 kilograms.
“How much does one kilogram cost?” the General Manager further asked. Chi Yung had to run back to the market again, but the General Manager held him back and said, “Mr Chi Yung, please have a rest! Let’s see how Mr Yum Choi deals with this.” Therefore, the General Manager sent for Yum Choi and told him, “Mr Yum Choi, go to the market straight away and see what is for sale today.”
After a little while, Yum Choi returned and reported to the General Manager, “In the market there was only an old farmer selling potatoes, with over 40 sacks, each sack weighing approximately 20 kilograms, totalling over 800 kilograms, the price is about right, and the quality is very good. I have brought back some potatoes for you to have a look at.” He also said, “This farmer will bring a cart of red persimmons to the market for sale this afternoon. I was told that the price is reasonable, and I have arranged to contact the farmer again this afternoon.”
All this time, Chi Yung was observing by the side, and his face gradually turned red. He humbly requested the General Manager to return his letter of resignation. This moment, he finally knew of the difference in ability between Yum Choi and himself.
The reason why a successful person can succeed is, in fact, not dependent on any secret formulae. Sometimes, it is only because they choose to think a few more steps ahead compared to average people. In life, it is important to think a few more steps ahead. “To bury oneself at work” is inevitable, but one must not omit to “raise one’s head and look forward”. Sometimes, not only does thinking a few more steps ahead not waste time, but rather enable us to face the future with full, understanding and total assurance, and hence move closer to the goal of success.
Just think, in life, how many steps do you think ahead?
Postscript: Very often, disciples feel that their Guru does not treat them well, does not delegate important tasks to them, or looks down on them. In fact, one’s Guru treats everyone the same, and delegates tasks according to ability, this is not preferential treatment. With regards to those who are delegated tasks, if they are committed to carry out these tasks successfully, then naturally they will have boundless beneficence. However, if the tasks are beyond their capabilities, then they should not carry on the tasks stubbornly. According to the “50 Stanzas on Devotion to the Guru”: ‘If we are not capable, we must confess with good words’. We can explain to our Guru who will have no doubt to handle the situation.
