When it comes to self growth and improvement, we tend to look to other humans for advice and guidance. This is understandable. It makes perfect sense and there’s no reason we should stop. But what if we also thought outside the box and learned life lessons from the other species that we share the planet with? Could our lives be enhanced by the ways of life that non-human creatures have to teach us? The answer is yes, if we’re willing to look for the lessons and keep an open mind. 

Let’s begin with one of our smallest cohabitants: the ant. Ants may be tiny, but they lead inspirational lives. Sounds funny, but it’s true. Here are three  life lessons we can learn from ants:

1. Never give up!
   Humans quit. You know who never quits? ANTS. When they meet an obstacle, they only pick one of two options:  find a way around it or find a way over it. GIving up just isn’t a possibility they register in their tiny but robust ant brains. Think of what you could accomplish if you had that steadfast persistence!
    
2. Be fearless in the face of hard work
   While we get intimidated or discouraged by challenging tasks, ants simply don’t. We get discouraged when we doubt our abilities and worry taking on a challenge will result in our failure and a jab to our egos. We also abhor the potential pain and discomfort that comes with hard work. Ants don’t have any of these concerns, and as a result their success rate is through the roof. If you let insecurity and fear wiggle their way into your mind, you might be outright sabotaging your goals. Be like an ant and put that negativity to the side. Know that if an ant is capable of tough work, you are too. 
    
3. Be a team player
   Teamwork can be a big challenge, because it requires dealing with many personalities that may not all harmonize the way you’d want them to. But it’s in our best interest to embrace a team, as that is the most effective way to turn dreams into realities. And you’ll create personal relationships in the process. Think an ant ever feels lonely, isolated, or outcasted? We can’t speak to them personally, but it’s safe to say the answer is no. 
    

Ants are only one of many, MANY creatures that can inspire us to lead fuller lives and be the best versions of ourselves. From ants we learn persistence and perseverance. From our dogs we learn how to love unconditionally, from apes we learn how to go back to the beauty of basics, from birds we learn freedom and that the sky’s the limit. What else can we learn from the 8.7 million species on earth? If you’re open to a deep dive, the possibilities are endless.