A Zen master sent five disciples on a difficult journey to a remote monastery on a mountain top to meet another master, who needed an heir. Along the way, each disciple faced challenges:
- The first disciple rushed and became exhausted, giving up.
- The second became distracted by the surroundings and got lost.
- The third focused too much on the difficulties and turned back.
- The fourth lost faith and abandoned the journey.
Only the fifth disciple, steady and focused, persevered despite the hardships. When he reached the monastery, the second master asked him why he succeeded. The disciple replied, “I stuck to the path and didn’t deviate from my purpose. I didn’t get distracted by obstacles or think about anything other than what I was supposed to do.”
In real life, when someone joins a new team, it’s natural for them to align with their manager or boss. This helps ensure you’re on the same page with the company’s vision, structure, and your role’s expectations. However, many fall into the trap of overcommitting, saying yes to everything, and taking on tasks that aren’t part of their core job description.Soon, they’re working late nights, weekends, and holidays, pushing themselves too hard. The sad reality is that they’re often appraised only for the work that is in their job description. Over time, people stop referring to their job descriptions and just go with the flow, doing whatever is asked. When these employees rise to management positions, they end up imposing the same expectations on their own teams. This cycle creates an environment of long hours, stress, burnout, and unrealistic expectations—ultimately turning into a toxic culture. Always remember to focus on your goal.