Photo: etching of mm. 185 x 258 from the Jolanda and Angelo Dragone Graphic Arts Collection – Location: R. – AG. – folder 3/155
How does success become a problem? That may seem like an oxymoron and something uncommon to encounter. If you succeed, problems should decrease, shouldn’t they? You may be surprised. This is common enough that my coworkers routinely hear me say, “Don’t let success become a problem.”
This isn’t a new problem. In fact, one of my favorite Proverbs references this idea:
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” (ESV Proverbs 14:4)
Growing up on a beef cattle farm and being the oldest meant I routinely found myself helping with the dirtiest and sweatiest jobs on the farm. I can imagine all too well how this Proverb was penned. It’s not hard to picture a couple of young sons complaining about having to shovel out the stinky ox manger again. Without the oxen, it would stay clean, but in no time a couple of oxen have it all mucked up again. Hearing their bellyaching, a wise old man likely brought this Proverb to their attention. Yes, the oxen mess up the manger, but without them, working the land would be terribly hard. Anyone without oxen would count it a great success to acquire their own.
Though written nearly 3,000 years ago, it illustrates the same dilemma we find in our modern successes today. With almost any success, there’s likely to come what could be viewed as problems. However, viewed appropriately, these so-called “problems” could be seen as part of success. Without use of a tractor, you’d be winning if you had a pair of oxen to plow your fields. The abundant crops would more than make up for cleaning out a manger now and then. To the farmer, another set would mean even more crops, more income, more security, and growing wealth. To the boys shoveling, it would just mean more manure.
Some of you have already made the connection. We all do it, myself included. Things we worked for, thought we’d planned for, turn into problems. We start taking on the perspective of the boys shoveling instead of the farmer planning out what he’ll be planting in his newly plowed fields. I’ve found that though these problems often can’t be altogether avoided, having your mindset on expecting them as part of the process can dramatically help with your planning and morale. Instead of a team getting frustrated and turning the problems into a blame game, they can be seen as normal, expected, and hopefully something you’re prepared for.
What does that look like for you in your business or career?
Is success more customers? More customers mean more calls, more emails, maybe even more complaints.
Is success new equipment, maybe a new vehicle? The more you have, the more maintenance.
Is success a big promotion? A big raise is bound to come with a host of new challenges to overcome.
This article isn’t meant to discourage anyone from striving for success. Instead, it adds a bit of wisdom that can keep you from letting success become a problem. Be realistic about what problems are likely to come with success. Instead of being discouraged, you’ll know it’s a sign you’re making progress. If you knew ahead of time you’d need to do more manger cleaning, you’d have gloves, a wheelbarrow, and a few extra shovels ready. Most importantly, you wouldn’t lose your focus and perspective toward success when that first expected problem showed up.
As you plan for success in 2026, take time to ensure success doesn’t become a problem!
