Duck-Tility: strategies of being highly EFFECTIVE

A duck's feathers are so waterproof that even when the duck dives underwater, its downy under-layer of feathers will stay completely dry. Just like a duck's waterproof feathers that remain dry after swimming in the water, we ought to develop a rumor-proof and politics-proof attitude which remains unaffected by negative influences around us.  There are times when it's not possible to avoid certain toxic individuals who contaminate our way of thinking with their negativity, for example if you share the same office with them. In the event that circumstances force us to spend time with pessimistic individuals with toxic mindsets and negative attitude, we need to waterproof our features like ducks. There is a need to make a deliberate effort towards proofing ourselves from any form of politics, negativity and unprofitable attitudes of our associates so as to remain focused, effective, relevant and profitable.

Ducks are precocial, which means that ducklings are covered with down and able to walk and leave the nest just a few hours after hatching. At times people step into a new territory and fear expressing their skills and potential; wondering what the ‘veterans' of that place would think of them. They regrettably wear the overall of false humility and hesitate stepping out of their nests to walk boldly in our purpose. Baby ducks got no time to waste. A few hours after hatching, ducklings survey the environment, examine their territory and start matching on! 



You don't need to wait until you have a lot of money for you to be able to gather enough resources and pursue your dream, rather you become wealthy because you pursue your dream the best way you can, wherever you are today, with what you have in your hand right now. Leonel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo, two of the greatest footballers in the world, did not wait until they were famous and wealthy to start playing football, instead they rose to become exceptionally great because they started playing football with all their hearts wherever they were, in their humble beginnings. Ducks teach us not to wait for the perfect moment, but to perfectly seize very moment and advance, at any given time and at any given place.

A hen will lead her ducklings up to a half mile or more over land after hatching in order to find a suitable water source for swimming and feeding. Great businesses, families, careers or ministries are build by man and woman who dare to be different; yes, man and woman who always seek for new ways of doing things, few strategies and insights of being more effective and productive.  The hen-duck isn't lazy, it does not accept any readily available water-source or food for its young one, but it goes an extra mile is seeking new and fresh resources for its ducklings. Don't feed your career, business or marriage only on old ideas of ancient men. Break out of the mould. You can never get to new territories on old roads? Life has a way of narrowing your outlook and expeditions to the tracks of old that have been already walked and overly trodden by others; with a good promise of ‘safety' but a sad punishment to a life of solemn mediocrity. Seek for new solutions to challenges, step in with new ideas to take your business or career to the next level, be innovative, have new insights, look for new ways of spicing up your relationship or marriage. The duck is very serious about seeking for the best and most fresh resources for the upkeep of its young one!

Male ducks have an eclipse plumage similar to females that they wear after the breeding season for about a month as their new feathers grow. During that month, they are completely flightless and more vulnerable to predators. breeding season. Each one of us should have some time of solitude in which we recharge our batteries. Retreat to advance!  Ducks, just like eagles have a time in which they retreat to grow new stronger features. They may be weak and vulnerable to predators during this brief period, but they come back mighty with new strong and powerful features. Particularly as Christians, we need to exercise personal retreats in which we fast and weaken the flesh while allowing the spirit man to gain dominion or be in charge. Only then will we come back effective and refreshed, ready to soar to next levels. 

When constructing her nest, a hen will line it with soft down feathers she plucks from her own breast. This gives the eggs the best possible cushioning and insulation. What a sacrifice it is for the hen-duck to pluck her own feathers for sake of providing the best possible protection for her eggs! Without any shadow of doubt, great men will always be born whenever there are leaders who lead by example and live a sacrificial life before them, hopefully me and you will me amongst these few caliber of leaders and visionaries.

Most male ducks are silent and very few ducks actually quack. No need to say more on this one. More action, less talking!  It's better to do little things than to just ‘quack' about big things whilst doing nothing.