The Story of the MilkMaid

Mary, the milkmaid, was heading to the market with her milk inside a pail on her head.

While she was working, she started to think about what she could do with the cash she could earn from the milk.

“I’ll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown” she mused, “and they will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson’s wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs I’ll buy myself a new dress and a hat; and when I go to market, all the young men come up and speak to me! Jane will be so jealous, but I don’t care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this.”

When she finished speaking, she threw her head back as the pail fell off it and the milk completely spilled. Then she was forced to go to her home and inform her mother of the incident.

“Ah, child,” said the mother: “Do not count your chickens before they are hatched!” This is the most important instruction for any business owner starting. Reminisce about that first job you held and not just the paper-round as when you were a child or that summer job at the shop. The first real job you had when you were older and set out into the world. You get that first paycheck at the end of the first week or month. Do you remember?

What was the speed at which you spent every cent? A life lesson that you learn from the first check you receive is the foundation for the years to come. It’s even more essential when it comes down to your first online business or venture. The entire course of your future can be determined in the initial few months.

When you’re preparing for your first payday, Are you thinking about the way you’ll spend the money? After you’ve sold your initial app or launched your new social media platform, Do you have a vision about that sporty car or the posh riverside house?

It’s already easy to imagine getting into that comfy seat and turning the ignition to hear the roar of that V8 as you swerve straight towards the next thing you have to accomplish.

However, if your idea doesn’t succeed, and you’ve used up all the capital you have invested in venture capital, the sports car you’ve leased won’t look as gorgeous on the side of the truck the leasing company has been sent to return it.

You’ve made the same mistake that our milkmaid’s young daughter made…

Be bold, But don’t let that divert you from the steady and slow way to reach the larger picture.

You counted your chickens just before they hatched…