Avoid Collisions By Staying Humble

The story is told of a Navy commander who sailed his ship out into the harbor one foggy morning. As they were heading out to sea, his signalman came and said, “We’re on collision course with a light.”

The commander then directed the signalman to send the following message, “On collision course. Move 10 degrees right.”

The signal came back, “Confirmed. We are on collision course. You move 10 degrees right.”

The Navy commander with his rank was a little incensed. He sent back this message, “I am a full Navy commander. You move 10 degrees right.”

The message came back, “I am a signalman second class. You move 10 degrees right.”

Finally the commander sent this message, “I am in a battleship. You move 10 degrees right.”

The signal came back that said, “ I am in a lighthouse. You move 10 degrees right.”

How many times do we allow our pride to prevent us from seeing the big picture? How many people stubbornly refuse to see the writing on the wall of economic shifts and implement a Plan B?

Don’t make that mistake. Keep your eyes open and your heart humble to safely navigate through life.