How the Crab Effect Obstructs Growth and How to Conquer It

Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man or woman seeking change or growth are, "Surround yourself with people who will support and believe in you."

Creating any kind of significant change requires determination, focus, energy, a game plan, and more than anything else, desire and a positive attitude.

Sometimes, we become stalled in our progress or just lose the desire to continue because we do not have a strong support structure in place.

How many times have you tried to create something for yourself but failed because your circle of influence provided negative input and little support for you?

I once worked with a client who wanted to secure the career of his dreams. He was in his late 30's and had spent a good deal of his life working in an unfulfilling job that involved heavy lifting all day long.

When he finally made the decision to commit to pursuing his dream career, he shared his goals with his co-workers, family and friends.

He received little to no support from his co-workers. Some told him he was too old, he would never make it and that he was a dreamer.

His family members tried to convince him that he was going through a phase and that he should be grateful for his current job. It paid the bills.

His friends wished him well, but didn't offer much in the line of support because they thought his goal was too lofty and unrealistic.

We worked together to create an action plan, to keep his momentum high and his attention focused.

His greatest struggle, however, was he could not understand why he seemed to be traveling this road alone; why he had such little support from his closest circle of influence.

One day at work after having his dream quashed yet again, he confided in a co-worker that he just didn't know if he was doing the right thing anymore because no one believed in him.

His co-worker then shared a story that turned his day around by giving him a new perspective. He told my client he was experiencing the "Crab Effect," then shared his explanation.

While vacationing in Florida, he observed a bucket of crabs on a fishing dock.

While all of the crabs were either motionless or squirming at the bottom of the bucket, one little crab kept crawling up the side in an effort to reach the top.

Each time the crab made his way closer to the top rim, a crab from below would reach up and pull him back down. Time and again, the little crab would climb the wall and time and again, one from below would pull him back.

By observing this behavior, my client's co-worker related this to how we function as human beings.

This one crab did not want to be confined. He believed he had a choice and did not have to accept his lot in life. He was willing to venture outside of his imposed boundaries in search for freedom.

Unfortunately, the others in the group did not recognize that they too had a choice, and would not allow the venturing crab to leave the rest of them behind.

This is the same for you. Have you ever wanted to create something new for yourself or make a significant change that would give you a sense of freedom or purpose?

Did you find that those around you did not provide the support you needed to succeed?

Unfortunately, you won't always receive the support you expect from those you believe should be there for you.

This doesn't mean they're bad or want to see you fail. They just might not be in the same place you are right now.

The Crab Effect usually occurs because others are not willing to expand their boundaries of thinking. They won't accept that they have a choice or the ability to create what they truly want.

You creating change for yourself may prove that their thinking is not sound and no one wants to be proven wrong. The ego does not like to be challenged.

The Crab Effect also occurs because some people are afraid of change or may not have sufficient confidence in themselves, and by you embracing change and creating a more desirable future for yourself, their self-limiting beliefs may be reinforced.

Some people are afraid of being left behind and don't want to be left alone. Like they say, "Misery loves company."

If you want to make a significant change in your life, surround yourself with people who believe in you and the power of creating anything you desire.

Don't share your goals and dreams with those who will bring you down or try to sabotage your efforts.

Sometimes the journey can be lonely when you decide to venture outside of the pack, but remain open and positive, and you will attract those who will support you and guide you in the right direction.

Be true to yourself and don't let the fear and limited thinking of others get in your way.

The day my client left his unfulfilling job for his new career, some cheered while others stood dumb-founded. It was a three-year journey, but he made it!

And once he realized he could accomplish what seemed impossible to many, he set new goals for himself and not only achieved, but exceeded many of them.

No one questions him anymore. They know if he says he plans to accomplish something, he most certainly will!

Laurie Hayes works with small and home-based business owners who feel stuck. To receive valuable tips, strategies and techniques designed to grow a successful business without sacrificing quality of life, subscribe to her free bi-weekly newsletter at http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com

---

Outsourcing ? A Positive Approach For Small Businesses

Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More

The Perfect Mission Statement

One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More

Small Business Marketing: Specialize or Generalize?

There have been many great points raised on both sides... Read More

Beating the Small Business Cash Flow Blues

Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More

Marketing Your Small Business with Success Stories

-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More

Mobile Car Washes and Shoe Policies

Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More

Yeah, It IS Lonely At the Top

Sometimes when you run a business you feel as lonely... Read More

Community Relations Strategy for Small Business

Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you... Read More

Uncover Free Veins Of Gold By Prospecting Online Guru Newsletters (Part 1 of 2)

Incredible as it sounds, you have a goldmine of free... Read More

Five Tips for First Time Entrepreneurs

It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From The Miracle On Ice

1. Know Where You're Going ? Coach Herb Brooks had... Read More

Image is Everything - Secrets to Cleaning Car Fleets

A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More

Grab Your Consumers Attention in a Cluttered World of Marketing Communications

A cluttered world of marketing communications diminishes the ordinary. The... Read More

Boy oh Boy, The Obstructions and Obstacles

The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More

7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking Power

CARD SHARK7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking PowerThe... Read More

Successful Small Businesses Use PR

It's obvious when a small business has accepted the fact... Read More

Proper Care and Feeding of the Business Owner

That sizzling sound you're hearing may be a symptom of... Read More

7 Essentinal Resources for Small Business

So you want to start a business but you don't... Read More

Not Listening Can Hurt Your Small Business

Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More

Top 10 Lessons for Small Business Success - As learned From My Twin 3 Year Olds

Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More

Competition in the Market Place and Over Disclosure Regulatory Burden

The Federal Trade Commission is assisting competitor to cheat and... Read More

Batting Cages Business - Making Profits With The Swing Of A Bat

There is a Batting Cages Business for those people who... Read More

How to Get Started As A Government Contractor

Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More

Why You Need A Virtual Assistant

How much is your time really worth? Is it worth... Read More

The Step Zero Effect

The key to organizational focus and helping those who need... Read More

Slip And Fall Professionals; Service Businesses

Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More

Image of Your Franchise Automotive Outlet is So Important

Image of your franchise automotive outlet is so important. Some... Read More

Business Debt Collection Letter Writing Secrets

Debt collection letters--an overview"Debt collection letter" in the singular may... Read More

How to Find a Microenterprise Loan for Your Business

If you're looking for start-up capital for your business, but... Read More

Covenants Not To Compete: Another Franchise Quandary

Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More

6 of 1, Half Dozen of the Other

Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More

Why is My Restaurant Not Full Every Monday Night?

In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More

How to Profit from Business Consulting Opportunities

Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking... Read More