You Can Beat A Dead Horse, But You Can't Make Him Drink

By - Jason
06.01.21 10:07 PM

Among the Wellth team, there is a great affinity for the use of malaphors.  A malaphor is combining two common sayings together into a singular (and perhaps humorous) expression.  The title of this newsletter itself is the combination of, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" and, "you're beating a dead horse."  The other malaphor that sees considerable use is "we'll burn that bridge when we get to it."  In spite of the jesting nature of such expressions, the reason that the aforementioned bridge-burning expression comes up occasionally is because it represents a mentality that every small business owner needs to internalize.

It should go without saying that burning bridges, at least in the original metaphor that it is used, is seen as a finality; an action or decision that will have lasting impact and not easily undone (if it is even possible to undo at all).  Juxtapose the seeming permanence of the decision to burn a bridge with the implied relaxed nature of the other expression, to cross 'that' bridge when you get to it, and a lovely contrast appears.  Perhaps a bridge burning, or, in this context, a decision that a small business owner must make in their daily operations, will have lasting consequences.  There is no sense, however, in fretting over the magnitude of the decision if it is not time to make the decision in question.  You can't cross a bridge - or burn it, for that matter - until you are actually at it.  Panic, stress, and worry about things to come don't serve any purpose in aiding the decision-making process, so why bother with it?

This is easier said than done.  It is human nature to fret and worry about decisions that could have negative outcomes.  Even the Wellth team, the champions of holistic living and success, are not immune to it.  There is, however, substantial comfort in knowing that no matter how monumental a challenge, no matter how big a bridge, no matter how massive a blaze when the bridge is set alight, that the proverbial crossing (or burning) of the bridge is nothing to worry about.  It's a simple mindset that changes it all: either you are in control of the decision, or you aren't.  If you are in control, then why worry? You can work hard, utilize outside resources (like BMI), ask friends, family, or mentors, and approach the decisions you need to make as prepared as you can be.  If you've done everything you can to make an informed decision, and the decision is in your control, despite how tempting it may be to stress about the outcome, there really is no need.  You've done all you can, and all that is left is to, as the malaphor suggests, let the pieces of bridge fall where they may.

Don't Worry, Be Happy.

If the decision isn't in your control, then you have nothing to worry about.  Stressing about things outside your control does not impact the outcome, and only serves to weigh you down or distract you from what is in your control.  The bridge may burn, but if, in the words of Billy Joel, "[you] didn't start the fire," there's nothing to be done.  Try utilizing this simple approach over the summer.  It will take considerable practice to learn to stop worrying, but actively working on this mindset will leave you freer to enjoy the beautiful weather, less stressed and distracted, and even free you up to better balance your work and home life.  Just relax and remember, you can burn that bridge when you get to it.


- Your BMI family