Once there were two men fishing from the same riverbank. The younger fellow was not catching a thing, while the older guy was catching something every time his line hit the water. The young man noticed, however, that when the old man caught big fish, he threw them back into the water—but when he caught little ones, he kept them. After a while, the frustrated young angler asked his mentor, “Why are you throwing the big ones back and keeping just the little ones?” The older fisherman responded, “Because I only have a nine-inch frying pan at home!”
This story clearly illustrates self-imposed limitations or “thinking inside the box.” Rather than seeing the possibility of obtaining a larger frying pan, the old man limited his success to only the small fish. Sometimes we use predefined pigeon holes in which we place success. Maybe we feel anxious, fear we won’t measure up to others’ expectations or are simply afraid to do differently. Each of us must define what success means to us and how we will measure our progress and direct our paths. We need to allow ourselves to take down mental barricades and freely explore all possibilities in our journeys.
We all have those little voices of self-doubt in our heads. Some talk louder than others. I know I can identify some self-imposed limitations that are keeping me from accomplishing my goals. “I don’t have any willpower, I don’t have motivation, I don’t have time, I don’t…”
However, on reflection, I do have the right stuff and I know what it takes! It is how I choose to respond to those voices that makes the difference. The voice of reason allows us to respond to a situation and not be affected by the consequences. It is time that I turned up the volume and listened to my voice of reason!
Like the old angler, I certainly know how to catch fish. Maybe all I need is a bigger frying pan.
I Care, Barb
By Sherrie Wymetalek July 1, 2020
I agree with the older fisherman as smaller fishes are more tender and flavorful on the other hand catching a larger fish can be cut up and stored for other meals.
By Janice Doppler June 10, 2020
I followed the “little voices of self-doubt” link in the post and that led me to “5 Ways to Win Your Goals” at the bottom of the “What If” post. I found the “Ways to Wing” webinar helpful when I heard it the first time. Revisiting it today helps me identify some things I want my voice of reason to be telling myself.
By Florene Shaw June 9, 2020
Very good! I can relate!!We need to be open to change in thinking outside the box! It is challenging and exciting if we choose it to be, Life is choices every day! And we learn from all our choices!! A bigger pan can be used to invite a friend for a healthy meal and fellowship!!! Thank you, Barb!
By Phyz Peck June 9, 2020
I agree with the fisherman — they are much tastier when small AND have fewer calories!!
By Marjorie Gaulton June 9, 2020
Thank you.. Loved this
By Pamela Paramore June 9, 2020
This was good. But one way I looked at it was with eating. If I go to a smaller sectional plate, I don’t eat as much. I can even have seconds (which sometimes is just in my mind I need seconds) and it equal to the bigger plate. But that is better than having seconds on the large plate. You play mind games with yourself. So maybe I should ‘not get a bigger frying pan’ but learn to eat what fits into the smaller one. Just my 2 Cents worth.
By Janice June 9, 2020
That is one of your best!
By Barbara L Maas June 8, 2020
Good post. Sometimes group ‘thinking inside the box’ isn’t always the best for me but it’s often difficult finding the courage to stand alone to do what I know works better for my body/mind. Groups tend to see that as being obstinate or an outsider who doesn’t agree with the majority when, indeed, it’s only a person trying to do what’s best for themselves.
Wish there was an easy way to do that.
By Barb June 9, 2020
I am so glad your outside the box thinking gave you a result that works for you! That is always the goal!!