Qui chasse deux lièvres n’en prend pas un. An old French Proverb that teaches that the person that chases two hares, catches none. You would understand what this really means if you have ever actually tried to chase a jack rabbit. Well, I have. Several times. Their survival instinct is to duck and dodge rapidly from side to side, backwards and forward. It would be impossible to catch two as they split apart and go in opposite directions.
This proverb points to the concept that you cannot chase to things at once. You can either pursue the one or the other, but to try to pursue both is in vain. The no man can serve two masters concept. The question is – do we really believe this?
How many times have you been torn between multiple things, and not willing to abandon one for full focus on another? You know that in your heart your focus and passion in one area is causing you to perform poorly in another, but you are not willing to give up on the potential benefits you could get if you did both.
Sure, two rabbits would make a heartier stew then one rabbit and you could imagine what that bounty would yield. However, just because you can imagine it does not mean that it will come true. You can increase your chance of rabbits stew by focusing on one rabbit. So there we have it. If we are not successful in one pursuit, then why would we try another?
Focused on one you have a greater chance of a prize. This is counter logic for some of us. We think that by spreading ourselves out we can increase the chances of catching something valuable when the exact opposite is the truth. Honestly, I am coming to grips with this as I am one that always tries to pursue multiple rabbits. Even if I were to try to chase one rabbit, I might give up mid pursuit and go after a nice healthier looking rabbit.
Maybe I am the only one with this problem, but this ancient French proverb has a truth about it that seems eternal. If I want to be really successful, maybe it is time to pick a rabbit.
Guy Reams
