A Tale of Two Horses, Written by Pawel Fortuna, KUL
Imagine that every time you set out to accomplish a task or achieve a specific goal, you climb aboard the carriage of Achievement Motivation, which is pulled by two very different horses. While their names and colors are ultimately up to your imagination, let’s say for now that one horse is Black, and the other is Chestnut. Black is full of energy, while Chestnut is calm, withdrawn, and slightly tense.
The Black horse hails from the stable of “Hope for Success.” This horse is driven to be the first to cross the finish line, eager to show everyone its strength and competence. Chestnut, on the other hand, comes from the stable of “Fear of Failure.” This horse’s main goal is to avoid the embarrassment of losing and to prevent the suffering that comes with failure.
As you might expect, Black wants to pull the carriage with all its might, determined to win because, for it, only victory matters. Chestnut, when it deems it necessary, pulls the carriage toward the goal too—but its definition of success isn’t winning, but rather, avoiding defeat. Chestnut would even be relieved if the race were canceled due to bad weather, illness, or some other pressing obligation. Black, however, can’t comprehend Chestnut’s reluctance and often pushes with the refrain, “Why overthink it? Just act!” Chestnut, in contrast, sighs and mutters, “Easy for you to say…”
Though these two horses often clash, they are bound to work together. And as the coachman, you are responsible for guiding them. It’s important to understand that both horses are essential for your journey toward success. Black is impulsive by nature, while Chestnut is more hesitant, and you won’t change this. Over time, though, you’ll learn the wisdom in listening to both.
The voice of the horse from the “Hope for Success” stable is critical when setting goals. Black loves ambitious targets, relishes the thrill of galloping ahead, and celebrates joyfully after achieving a goal. Chestnut, from the “Fear of Failure” stable, tends to complain before starting—it’s in its nature—but during this phase, you don’t need to listen to it too much. Chestnut’s true value shines when it’s time to plan the route. It excels at foreseeing obstacles, preventing mistakes, and ensuring that the path is as smooth as possible. If you let Black’s enthusiasm lead without Chestnut’s cautious planning, you might stumble at the first puddle, because Black loves to shout, “Everything will be fine!” However, things will only truly be fine if the goal you achieve leads to happiness.
People often mistakenly think that success is all about standing on the podium, that simply reaching the top is the greatest reward. However, the most painful moment in life can be winning a race only to feel exhausted and alone. True success brings joy, boosts self-esteem, opens new opportunities, and is shared with loved ones. When you cross the finish line with people who celebrate your victory with you, that’s when success truly becomes meaningful. Otherwise, it’s just a shiny but hollow trophy that reminds you of the cost of winning at all costs—losing friends and feeling empty. By embracing both Black’s eagerness and Chestnut’s caution, you can cultivate positive achievement motivation, ensuring that your accomplishments lead not only to personal success but also to a life filled with happiness and connection.
Photo de Thibault Carron.
