What can Thai elephants teach us today about self-belief? More than you might guess.

A quick listen to this fable can give you a better idea: 

During his travels abroad, a young American man walked with a guide inside a small farming town outside of Chang Mai. 

While walking the sweeping greenery, the American noticed next to the main farmhouse: a full grown Elephant, the size of a large tank. 

Startled, he slowly jumped back … only to notice that the elephant was not interested in going anywhere.

In fact, the elephant’s left leg had a small piece of rope tied around it. And that rope was tied around a small stick that was planted into the ground.

Puzzled, the young American asked his guide: “Sir, that elephant is surely strong enough to break the rope and pull the stick out of the ground. Why is he staying put?”

With a smile, the elder Thai sage explained: “When the elephants are quite young, and just a fraction of the size of our friend here, we use the same rope, the same stick, to keep them in place. And at that time, the rope is too strong for the elephant to break.”

“As the elephants grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can hold them still, so they never try to break free.”  

In fact, the only thing keeping the elephant back was their belief -- belief that things are as they are, belief that accepting the status quo - staying stuck - were their only options.

Today, ask yourself -- what is my rope? What are the things in your life that you simply accept as they are, because they have been?

It might be a job you’ve been thinking of quitting for years, a relationship you never pursued, a group of friends you simply don’t relate to any more.

In life, we often come to believe the status quo simply is as it is - when in reality, life is long - full of options, new decisions and experiences waiting to be had. Begin by identifying your rope, the one that keeps you tethered to something you’re ready to break free from and then slowly, a little bit at a time, give that rope a tuge and start creating some small changes towards a better life. 

Acceptance. Action. That’s it. The work to make change never really changes - but it always starts with you. 

In the end, we’re all a bit like the elephant - we all have ropes holding us back. And we’re all far stronger than we know.