Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: The Pike, The Glass, The Recession and Your Profits
In the 1950s, behaviorist performed a now classic experiment:
A fish, a Northern Pike was placed in an aquarium. The Pike is a voracious feeder and particularly likes small fish. Small fish were added to the tank and the Pike quickly consumed them.
After several days a pane of glass was installed to divide the tank. It left the pike on one side and small fish on the other. Initially the Pike would slam into the glass in quest of the prey. After a while it quit and began instead, swimming in circles.
A few days later the glass was removed, but the Pike continued swimming in circles. Eventually the Pike starved to death, still swimming in circles with small fish all around. The Pike was defeated, because it accepted defeat and quit trying. In other words it accepted what it thought was correct, rather than continuing to learn.
People are not fish, but they too are defeated when they accept defeat quit trying and especially quit learning. Now, substitute the world of business for the fish tank. Think of profit as the small fish, not as easy to catch as before. Recession or other obstacles could be the pane of glass, something new in the business environment.
Because something has always worked in the past in no assurance it will continue to work. What might the Pike [business owner?] do differently?
Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 206 Location: Camp Verde, AZ
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:
There in becomes the issue. When do we quit beating our head against the wall, because it is not working. And when do we keep trying in hopes of finding a way.
I will agree that I am my own worse enemy. I set my own limits. If I think it cannot be done, I will not do it. I have set more limits on myself than have been imposed upon me.
_________________ David Wittmayer
Owner / Manager
Hansen Enterprises Fleet Repair, LLC
Camp Verde, AZ
www.hefrshop.com
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 774 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:13 pm Post subject:
Hi Dave,
Dave wrote:
There in becomes the issue. When do we quit beating our head against the wall, because it is not working. And when do we keep trying in hopes of finding a way.
My thought is quit beating heads against the wall immediately and begin working to understand what is going on. Had the pike understood there was a piece of glass, it might have taken another tact.
How else might I get food? If this glass is lifted what will happen? Can I lift the glass? Is there a way around the glass? At very least, What can I do to conserve energy until I figure this out?
Had the pike sat and considered the options it might have put off starving until the glass was lifted. At very least, it might have notice the glass was no longer there. Instead it swam in circles and starved, rather than consider another way.
Dave wrote:
I will agree that I am my own worse enemy. I set my own limits. If I think it cannot be done, I will not do it. I have set more limits on myself than have been imposed upon me.
As have we all Dave. All that it takes is a quick look around. People with all sorts of handicaps achieve all sorts of great things everyday. Failure to consider the new and clinging to past are a super-highway to nowhere in business. Thanks Dave, I appreciate your input.
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