There is so much to learn from ants. I know this sounds like a paradox because there are much bigger animals like the lion who is the king of the jungle or the cunning fox. But the Bible bypasses them all and tells us to learn from the smallest- the ant.
Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Let’s pick up a few lessons from the ant.
1. They are disciplined.
According to the dictionary, being disciplined is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
The ants work well without supervision. No one needs to tell them what to do. To succeed in life, one needs to be disciplined.
The ants have mastered the art of working with accuracy.
They know there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: They do not procrastinate.
Whatever you plan to do this year be disciplined and focused. Work on it daily till you attain your goal. Being disciplined makes you fully committed to your task and ultimately you become a better performer.
2. They plan for the future.
The ants prepare ahead of time. They prepare for the next season.
They gather and store food in the summer, so they will have adequate in the winter.
Every day of your life is a preparation for the next. How prepared are you for the future? In preparing for tomorrow you should use the resources and time of today wisely.
A person that fails to plan, plans to fail. God is a planner.
Plan your 3 F’s – family, finance, future.
Nothing should take you by surprise because you have planned ahead. Delaying instant gratification for greater future success is a sign of maturity. The harder you work in preparation the more equipped you will be for success.
3.They are diligent.
The ants work hard. There is no short cut to success. Pace yourself and with God ordering your steps you will succeed. The ants have great work ethics. The ants look weak, yet they still fulfill their responsibilities. They push through obstacles and daunting circumstances to complete their job.
A diligent person will both plan well and pace themselves like the ant thus finishing a project. Diligence will make an employee an asset to the organization. In Henry Cloud’s words, “Diligence is not easy but we can’t reach our goals without it”.
Diligence attracts opportunities you could never orchestrate yourself.
According to Jim Rohn “The Ant Philosophy is never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can”.