A wise man, John Henry Patterson, once wrote that “He who overcomes others is strong, but he who overcomes himself is mightier”. This little saying brings to light where most people fail. Most of us forget why we accepted a piece of job; or why we got married; or why we did what we did when we did it. Have you ever looked closely at a weasel? The weasel is an obvious first cousin of the rat who almost always forgets his purpose. Take a closer look at a weasel and you will learn how to deal with him or her. Weasels specialize in whining and very good at blame shifting. Weasels are quick to ask for help but slow to give it; and a Weasel can wiggle out of anything. “I don’t remember saying that.” “Sorry, I’ve got other plans.” “I’d love to help but I’ve got a bad back.” “I left my wallet at home.”

Weasels cannot be trusted, but don’t bother trying to escape them. Weasels are everywhere, incessantly singing their sad little song: “If Only.” “If only I had a better education.” “If only I had married someone else.” “If only I had invested in…well you got my point. According to the weasel no mistake has ever been his/her fault. “I thought Bob was taking care of that.” “You should have told me sooner.” “Why didn’t someone remind me?” “You should have never asked me in the first place—it’s not my job.”

The truth of the matter is, there is the “voice of the weasel” in all of us, and that weasel needs to be slapped. Have you seen the old TV commercial for Mennen Skin Bracer? Looking into the mirror, a man slaps himself hard with one hand, then with the other, and says “Thanks, I needed that.” Just like that when our ears hear our lips start to sing the song of the weasel, we must learn to immediately slap the weasel within. Everyone admires a hardy individual who can look into the mirror of his soul and give the weasel within the cold, hard slap known as “remembrance of obligation.” If the first slap doesn’t subdue the weasel, a second slap, “loyalty,” will get him every time.

Slappers believe in helping others; weasels help only themselves. Slappers are good at getting things done; weasels, at making excuses. Slappers are dependable, but so are weasels—they’ll let you down every time. Everybody loves a weasel slapper, but nobody loves a weasel. Which one is winning the battle in your mirror?