Lately, some promoters of my
store were used to complain about the drop in sales of their products. Some
even pointed an accusing finger at the staffs for not working hard enough to
push the sales when they were not around. I have to admit that the sale is
dropping a lot now (if compared to a few years ago when this store was still
within top 10 outlets in term of sales nationwide). However, they should
understand that there are many other factors contributing to this, eg: economic
downturn, is something beyond people’s control (Be grateful and appreciate what
we are having now and hold onto our current jobs, the unemployement rate will
go up when recession hits).
A scientist had once done a study to
compare the monkeys’ physiological responses after they were given different
quantity of apples. First group of monkeys was given an apple, they showed
enormous excitement. Second group of monkeys was given 2 apples, they also
displayed enormous excitement. The supply of apples to both groups was
continued on a daily basis until one day, one change was made, that group of
monkeys supplied with 2 apples had one taken away from them. They were very
angry!!! We hate to feel like we are losing out on something especially when we
are too used to it.
As a species, we may sometimes focus too
much on and magnify people’s minor mistakes until neglecting of other major contributions
or sacrifices made as a whole. We may, as well, encounter someone who become
too habituated to people’s kindness and take things for granted. They are so accustomed
to the good things happening around them everyday until one day that they do
not see them as good things anymore. A good metaphor for this incident might be
like watching the sun rise in every morning. It just takes the first appearance
of light in the sky to wipe out the total darkness, even before the sun fully
rises. (Or it just takes a small drop of black ink to contaminate/ blacken the
whole pail of clear/clean water).
Personally, I feel that sincerity is a
matter of the utmost concern here. As long as someone is sincerely putting a
lot of effort into doing something (truly trying their very best) that is good
enough. Combined with the favourable
climatic, geographical and human conditions a.k.a (天时、地利、人和) all
these, a good timing, connection etc factors; hopefully, a satisfactory result /outcome can be obtained.
Instead of dwelling on the problems, we should do something about it. On the
other hand, don’t take people for granted. No matter how much they love and care
about you, people will get exhausted eventually. And we never know when it will
be the last.
