Real story of three stone cutters

A Pragmatic approach to success!!

Let me start with a story which I’m sure you all have heard of:

There were three stonecutters working on the side of a road. One day a wise passerby decided to ask them what they are doing and get their perspective on life.

He approached the first stonecutter

My friend can you

tell me what you

are doing?

Are you blind or

something? Don’t you see

that I’m cutting the

goddamn stone!!

Then he approached the second stonecutter and asked the same question

Oh, I’m cutting these

stones. Look at these

stones, aren’t they the

most perfectly cut stones

you have seen? You see, I

intend to become the best

stonecutter in town!!

ww

w.s

mar

tbiz

no

tes.

com

Then he approached the third stonecutter and asked the same question

Oh I’m glad you asked.

You see, I’m making a

castle. I visualize every

stone I cut to be part of

this beautiful castle.

Pleased with the answer, he went back and shared with his students what he thought of his experience with the stone cutters.

ww

w.s

mar

tbiz

no

tes.

com

So, students.. The first

stonecutter will remain a

stonecutter throughout his

life. Neither he has any vision

nor he takes any pride in his

work!!

The second stonecutter is a professional. He

will be the most sought-after stonecutter in

town. I won’t be surprised in couple of years

he has his own stone-cutting company. He

will be living a decent life.

Now my students, let me draw your

attention to the third stonecutter.

Now, he is the guy who will rule.

He’s the visionary, a dreamer. I see

passion in his eyes. I will not be bit

surprised if one day he owns the

castle he is making!!

So did the story go….

This story has been told over the generations to emphasize the power of vision and belief of one’s dreams!!!

But they left out a crucial part of the story which would be spoilt the ending of this ‘feel good’ story.

Let me go ahead and tell you rest of the story…..

After several years, the teacher decided to check on his prediction. So he went to the town again and see the status of those three stonecutters first hand.

He met the first stone cutter

As he had predicted, the stonecutter was still cutting the stone

Pleased with this validation, he went to find the second stone-cutter.

Sure enough, he found the second stonecutter too doing well for himself. He had a well established business and had 50 stone cutters working for him.

ww

w.s

mar

tbiz

no

tes.

com

The stonecutter recognized the teacher and welcomed him to his house for a sumptuous meal.

During the meal the teacher decided to ask him about the third stonecutter, fully expecting to be right about the fate of him also..

By the way, there was a third stonecutter working

alongside you, Whatever happened to him?

Oh, nice chap!! He dabbled with couple of

different businesses… none of which

worked well for him. I personally helped

him few times as he was not doing well

financially. Last time I heard from him he

had started teaching “motivational”

course to aspiring entrepreneurs. He

seems to be doing OK finally. Frankly, I

never thought he cared much about

cutting the stone well!!

Teacher decided not to meet the third stonecutter. He went back somewhat satisfied that he was right about two of his three predictions…. But the question kept on nagging him “What was the flaw in his prediction about the third stonecutter?” …… Let’s explore this notion a bit further!!

The answer lies in the last sentence of the second stone cutter:

“Frankly, I never thought he cared much about cutting

the stone well!!”

Go ahead.. think big, have dream but …but remember one thing: in itself it means nothing… let me repeat…. NOTHING!!

ww

w.s

mar

tbiz

no

tes.

com

It’s OK to have big dream… just don’t let yourself find comfort in that world.

Every once in a while… you gotta get up and do the work…. Or else…

Fall in INEVITABLE

ww

w.s

mar

tbiz

no

tes.

com

Focus on doing your current job well… really well… and strive to improve day after day….. this should take care of how well you end up doing in life!!

Whatever you do… focus on making it better… and better… and better…

If you are a mouse maker:

Roller Mouse Sensor guided Mouse

Wireless Mouse Touch Pad

And who knows

what else!!

By all means… dream of becoming ‘Mouse King’ of the country

But start with building the best ‘goddamn mouse’ you can make NOW!!

Everyday in every way, strive to improve your product and create an amazing customer experience.

Be the guy who comes up with the new stuff all the time!!

ww

w.s

mar

tbiz

no

tes.

com

Smart Business Tips & Best Practices Through Visual Story Telling

www.smartbiznotes.com