Clinging Crabs
What you will get: Reflections on who is holding you back.
Don’t let the clinging crabs pull you back in the bucket!
Because you can bet, they will try.
And you and I know you’re too good to be held back in the bucket of mediocrity.
You see…
I live at the side of a small fishing harbour.
And each year, tourists come along to catch crabs from the harbour.
They get a plastic bucket.
A fishing line.
A tasty piece of bacon.
And before you know it…
The crabs come running. (well, awkwardly sideways waddling at least)
And after a short time, there are several crabs in the bucket.
Now that’s when…
One, single-minded, independent crab decides to make a break for freedom.
I guess in his little crab mind he’s thinking something like…
“I’ve had just about enough of being crammed in this bucket with all the other crabs. Time to get out.”
So he tries. You see the courageous crab make a break for the rim of the bucket and freedom.
Guess what the other crabs do?
They pull him back!
I guess in their own little crab minds they’re thinking something like…
“Where on earth do you think you’re going my friend? Sorry pal, you’re staying here with us.”
And here’s the sad thing…
Many people are like crabs.
They don’t like it when you courageously and wisely seek a better life.
They don’t like it when you change.
They don’t like it when you share with them your new learning ideas.
And how frustrating is that!
So you go on a training course. You read a great development book. You get inspired to take action. (because you and I know that lifelong learning is really the key to achieving your dreams). And you get excited about sharing your new insights with your partner/friend/colleague.
And what do you get back?
Negativity.
Cynicism.
Rejection.
You hear things like…
““It’s just not realistic”
“It won’t work”
“I thought you were supposed to be the emotional intelligence expert” (the person who jumps on every chance to notice when you don’t behave perfectly)
“I think it’s a crazy idea”
“What about the money?”
“It’s not responsible”
“It’s just not you”
“Do you remember when you failed before”
“Do you really think you can change?”
“That’s the way you’ve always been so you’re not gonna change now.”
Sound familiar?
Why do they do it?
Maybe they’re afraid of you changing?
Maybe they’re jealous?
Maybe they are unhappy in their own life so resent you finding more happiness?
Here’s the good news…
Yes it’s true that the world is full of clinging crabs.
But there are also plenty of eagles in the world, soaring high above the clouds. They left the clinging crabs in the bucket a long time ago, and never looked back.
These eagles are your genuine friends.
They support you.
They encourage you.
They inspire you?
So is it time to let go of the unhappy crabs in your life and go hang out with the eagles?
I know which I choose.
How about you?
To your success
Steve Neale
“Europe’s Leading Expert on Personal and Professional Growth”
Psychologist, Executive Coach, EI Practitioner, Award Winning Trainer, International Author, Psychodynamic Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness Instructor, International Speaker, Creator of the LPS, Creator of the Accredited Masters in High-Performance Leadership
