Crabs In a Bucket

HELLO!

I’m so delighted about all the visitors coming to this post from Paulo Coelho’s blog and I want to say a special “WELCOME!” to you all.

My name is Sarah Robinson (@SarahRobinson) and I am a seasoned small business and entrepreneurship strategist (built companies, sold companies, consult for companies, etc.). Here at Escaping Mediocrity I talk about the challenges and rewards of working – and living – according to our own drumbeat, rather than the beat of someone else’s drum.

At the moment, I am particularly fascinated with the idea of community – especially community in the world of business .

If this idea interests you, too, I would love to keep you in the loop. I’ll be looking for people to interview and stories to feature shortly. So just pop your name and email addy in the boxes below and you’ll get the occasional email from me. I don’t spam and I won’t put on my newsletter list, either.

And now…..the full text of Crabs in a Bucket.

When I was a little girl, I lived very close (and hour and fifteen minutes) to the Florida panhandle beaches. Which meant we spent a TON of time there.

Early evening was one of my favorite times to walk the beach with my mom and my older brothers. We were all clean and fed and slightly sun weary but still desperate to be outside. So, we would grab flashlights, dip nets and a bucket and search the ocean’s edge for crabs.

We would catch a bucket full in an evening and drag them back home where my mom or my grandmother would cook them up into something delicious. (Yes, I was traumatized by the crabs being put into boiling water, but that story is for another day.)

The problem was that as we made that long walk home carrying crabs, there were always one or two who figured out how to climb up to the edge of the bucket in an attempt to escape. Every now and then we would have to tap the edge of the bucket to knock them back down.

Because I was too little to carry the bucket very far, I got the job of watching for potential escapees. And I noticed something..well…odd.

More often than not, as a crab would begin to inch its way higher to the edge of the bucket, the other crabs would latch on to him and pull him back down. I watched this scenario play out again and again, year after year.

Fast forward to this morning. As I was drinking my coffee and perusing my twitter stream, and up pops this gem from @paul0coelho (He wrote The Alchemist, one of my all time favorite books): “Only mediocrity is safe. Get ready to be attacked, and be the best.”

Maybe it was the early hour. Maybe it was my post-event mushy brain. I don’t know. But the minute I read Paul’s tweet, I thought of those crabs in a bucket. So I sent him this tweet: “I’m thinking of crabs in a bucket. They always try to pull down the one who’s figured out how to escape.”

Paul liked my analogy so much that he retweeted it and I’ve spent my morning connecting with people all over the world who liked it, too. It resonated deeply for a lot of people.

I did a quick google search and discovered that “Crab Mentality” is actually an official phrase that roughly means “if I can’t have it, neither can you.” And it is talked about. A lot.

So now I’m thinking about the Escaping Mediocrity journey with this lens. There will always be people who will subtly or not so subtly try to keep us from escaping. Why? Because our escape threatens their mediocre existence. Pulling us down, sabotaging our efforts, picking apart our brilliant ideas – all of that keeps them feeling safe. And living undisturbed mediocre lives.

So what if we added a new piece to the crab mentality picture? Imagine a crab, or a group of crabs on the other side of the bucket building a ladder to aid your escape. They managed to crawl out of the bucket in spite of all the energetic attempts to pull them backwards. Because they’ve tasted freedom and they know your struggle, they are putting energy into aiding and abetting your escape.

I believe that for those of us determined to get out of the bucket, such a group exists. It may take some time to find them, but they are there, ready throw a safety rope over the edge and pull us out.

Start listening for them. Start looking for them. They are there. Reach just a little further and they’ll meet you at the edge of the bucket.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 7th, 2011 at 4:22 pm and is filed under Uncommon Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

http://www.lisarobbinyoung.com Lisa Robbin Young

When I was a kid, the mother of a very good friend (who nearly committed suicide after his dad died), told me a similar story – about crawdads. They just keep pulling each other back down. If there’s only one in the bucket, it’s really easy to escape, but when you add just a couple, they sabotage each other’s success.

The lesson I walked away with was the idea that it only takes one or two insidious crawdads to really impede your rise to the top. You have to be very careful about who you let into your bucket.

Thanks for the memories!
- Anonymous
  
  I love this variation – and the lesson that goes with it.
- I W E Mcculloch
  
  “it only takes one or two insidious crawdads to really impede your rise to the top. You have to be very careful about who you let into your bucket.”
  This is just beautiful! (I’m stealing it!)
  - http://www.lisarobbinyoung.com Lisa Robbin Young
    
    Feel free! I’m writing a blog post about it myself.
Anonymous

Great post, Sarah! Chris Guillebeau talks about a similar phenomenon with monkeys in his book, The Art of Non-Conformity. Everytime a monkey would try to climb a ladder to get a banana, the zookeeper would spray all of the monkeys with water from a fire hose. New monkeys were introduced into the environment and when the new monkeys went for the banana, the other monkeys would pull them down. Eventually all of the original monkeys that had been sprayed with the fire hose were replaced, but the monkeys would still drag any ambitious monkey down. I think the point of this story is that we are conditioned to not stand out and to not take chances. That is why it is so important to surround yourself with people that want to “get out of the bucket” and o support each other.
- Anonymous
  
  yes – I’ve read that monkey story. Frightening that our brains genetically modify to mediocrity. Terrifying in fact. Let’s do all we can to prevent that, okay?!
http://twitter.com/kevinmarks Kevin Marks

Terry Pratchett wrote about Crab Buckets as well as @paolocoelho see: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/crab+bucket+theory
- Anonymous
  
  that is a wonderful story – thank you so much for sharing it with me!
Sahaj Kohli

I really like this. Truly.
Anonymous

love the image…and it’s so, so very true. The/Your Tribe to the rescue….throw me a line!!!
- Anonymous
  
  I’m here! Catch it and I will pull you up!
Frisellaster

Reminds me of the fact that predators do NOT prey on the weakest, but the most different
- Anonymous
  
  Oooooo….love that!
- Jeemijus
  
  That is a good one
http://twitter.com/myinkheart4 my inkheart4

Crab mentality is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and it is one factor why it’s been such a struggle for our country to develop at a faster pace. It’s found in all social and economic levels and areas.

Take for instance the case of Charice, the Filipino pop singer who was introduced to the world by Oprah Winfrey. Coming from a poor background, she started singing in local competitions for a living when she was 7 years old and even then already experienced being told that she wasn’t good enough when in fact she was way better than the rest. As a teen joining a televised national singing competition, she continued to be talked down and pulled down, even told that she didn’t have what it takes to be a star simply because her critics thought she wasn’t pretty, never mind her incredible singing talent and her ethics for working hard. It took the likes of Ellen de Generes, David Foster, and Oprah Winfrey to help her climb “out of the bucket” and prove herself in the international music scene.

When the Philippines comes out in international news, it is often in connection with corruption, poverty, illnesses, political instability, etc. Now, in Charice, we have an inspiring role model for both young and older Filipinos who want to reach their dreams despite all the obstacles that may be present in their life. She’s a young Filipino who’s showing the world the positive side of her country and her people and yet, the more she gains success, the more the crabs find fault with anything and everything she does and
publicize it. I am a Filipino and yet this crab mentality still amazes me. And this is one reason why I – and her other fans and supporters – try to promote Charice in whatever way possible because, just like what you said, there does exist another group of crabs on the other side of the bucket: her success is the success not just of all Filipinos, but of everyone who believes in working hard to reach one’s dreams. Thank God for those crabs “on the other side of the bucket”!

Here’s an excerpt from “The Soaring Spirit of Charice”: http://mylatestoncharice.blogspot.com/2011/06/soaring-spirit-of-charice-pempengco-by.html
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Santiago-Cajayon/100000079888748 Santiago Cajayon
  
  very nice!!!!!!!!!!!can i post this? i hope this could positively broaden the minds of those who read this and cultivate the other ‘mentality’ the new crab mentality…to be free from all this selfishness…..
  - Anonymous
    
    I would love for you to post it. And send me the link so I can help spread the word!
- Anonymous
  
  Sadly I think it is deeply rooted in every culture. It is our human nature for some reason. The only thing we can do is not succumb and help others escape.
- Shadia Ebrahim
  
  This crab mentality is not limited to the Philipines alone, but I think it effects most Asian cultures. I’m not really certain of the Western or European trends, but back home, you do something different from the others and you stand out like a sore thumb. The fact that I had to put up a fight to complete my education and not succumb to societies demand for the usual early marriage is ample proof for me. But as @sarahrobinson:disqus has pointed out, there are crabs on the other side of the bucket as well. For me it came in the form of my husband and parents, who supported me in completing the engineering degree which I had started off before marriage at 19.
  - http://twitter.com/myinkheart4 inkheart
    
    Late as this reply may be, congratulations to you! I hope many more from your community will be inspired to do the same in pursuing the good they want to do, no matter what the obstacles others throw along their way.
Manuel Reyesglz

Great. Reading Paulo Coelho’s twit about the crabs makes me read your blog. Deep reflexion. Thanks. Blessings from Spain. @manuelreyesglz:disqus
- Anonymous
  
  thank you for the blessing sent over the sea.
http://twitter.com/parthed Popa Patricius

The effect is also called “Neighbour’s Goat” in my language.
- Anonymous
  
  I would like to hear that story! Will you tell it to me?!
http://twitter.com/parthed Popa Patricius

The effect is also called “Neighbour’s Goat” in my language.
ndunge

In all parts of the world, with all sorts of human beings, this is so true – unfortunately.
- Anonymous
  
  yes – and we can be the ones who don’t succumb. That is my greatest encouragement.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ken-Crane/100000964514400 Ken Crane

I liked this story very much.
This kind of things happens very often in the society.
I guess that the theme of the movie Matrix was about this kind of medocre.
- Anonymous
  
  Ah yes – the Matrix. The ultimate Escaping Mediocrity movie.
Hilde Spille

Great idea, building a ladder. Just some weeks/months ago Nicolette Loonen started the Anti Krabbenmand Committee
(anti-crab-basket-committee) in the Netherlands, see
http://www.antrikrabbenmand.nl, or at twitter @AntiKrabbenMand or #akmc
(all in Dutch). It’s especially for women, to support each other instead
of dragging down those who are about to become successful.
- Anonymous
  
  Now I wish I spoke fluent Dutch!
my_inkheart4

Crab mentality is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and it is
one factor why it’s been such a struggle for our country to develop at a
faster pace. It’s found in all social and economic levels and areas.Take
for instance the case of Charice, the Filipino pop singer who was
introduced to the world by Oprah Winfrey. Coming from a poor background,
she started singing in local competitions for a living when she was 7
years old and even then already experienced being told that she wasn’t
good enough when in fact she was way better than the rest. As a teen
joining a televised national singing competition, she continued to be
talked down and pulled down, even told that she didn’t have what it
takes to be a star simply because her critics thought she wasn’t pretty,
never mind her incredible singing talent and her ethics for working
hard. It took the likes of Ellen de Generes, David Foster, and Oprah
Winfrey to help her climb “out of the bucket” and prove herself in the
international music scene.When the Philippines comes out in
international news, it is often in connection with corruption, poverty,
illnesses, political instability, etc. Now, in Charice, we have an
inspiring role model for both young and older Filipinos who want to
reach their dreams despite all the obstacles that may be present in
their life. She’s a young Filipino who’s showing the world the positive
side of her country and her people and yet, the more she gains success,
the more the crabs find fault with anything and everything she does and publicize
it. I am a Filipino and yet this crab mentality still amazes me. And
this is one reason why I – and her other fans and supporters – try to
promote Charice in whatever way possible because, just like what you
said, there does exist another group of crabs on the other side of the
bucket: her success is the success not just of all Filipinos, but of
everyone who believes in working hard to reach one’s dreams. Thank God
for those crabs “on the other side of the bucket”!Here’s an excerpt from “The Soaring Spirit of Charice”: http://mylatestoncharice.blogs…
my_inkheart4

Crab mentality is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and it is
one factor why it’s been such a struggle for our country to develop at a
faster pace. It’s found in all social and economic levels and areas.Take
for instance the case of Charice, the Filipino pop singer who was
introduced to the world by Oprah Winfrey. Coming from a poor background,
she started singing in local competitions for a living when she was 7
years old and even then already experienced being told that she wasn’t
good enough when in fact she was way better than the rest. As a teen
joining a televised national singing competition, she continued to be
talked down and pulled down, even told that she didn’t have what it
takes to be a star simply because her critics thought she wasn’t pretty,
never mind her incredible singing talent and her ethics for working
hard. It took the likes of Ellen de Generes, David Foster, and Oprah
Winfrey to help her climb “out of the bucket” and prove herself in the
international music scene.When the Philippines comes out in
international news, it is often in connection with corruption, poverty,
illnesses, political instability, etc. Now, in Charice, we have an
inspiring role model for both young and older Filipinos who want to
reach their dreams despite all the obstacles that may be present in
their life. She’s a young Filipino who’s showing the world the positive
side of her country and her people and yet, the more she gains success,
the more the crabs find fault with anything and everything she does and publicize
it. I am a Filipino and yet this crab mentality still amazes me. And
this is one reason why I – and her other fans and supporters – try to
promote Charice in whatever way possible because, just like what you
said, there does exist another group of crabs on the other side of the
bucket: her success is the success not just of all Filipinos, but of
everyone who believes in working hard to reach one’s dreams. Thank God
for those crabs “on the other side of the bucket”!Here’s an excerpt from “The Soaring Spirit of Charice”: http://mylatestoncharice.blogs…
Anonymous

This is AWESOME. Think that sums it up. A.W.E. S.O.M.E!
- Anonymous
  
  thank you shannon.
http://www.DanaReeves.com Dana Reeves

LOVE this post, Sarah … Yes, crab mentality is alive and well – and every day each of us is faced with situations where we have to decide: am I going to help someone get what/where they want? Or am I going to let them struggle on their own? Am I going to support someone in their quest to escape whatever it is they want to escape, or improve their life? Or am I going to spend my time breaking them down, telling them they’re “crazy” for thinking their life can be any different? Am I going to celebrate others’
accomplishments? Or am I anxiously watching and waiting for them to fail? What a beautiful world this would be if we chose help, support,
and celebration more.
- Anonymous
  
  How did you get to be so smart?! I LOVE this!
http://www.thecaremovement.com Al Smith

Love this, Sarah. I am so grateful for all the people that choose to help us “get out of the bucket”. What a much better way to live. To be a giver instead of a taker. To help, not hinder. To make this world a better place by assisting and allowing people to flourish and share their talents with everyone and anyone they choose. Awesome. Thanks.

Al
- Anonymous
  
  So much better – yet apparently so counter to our human nature. Such a conundrum. All we can do is make intentional choices about how we’re going to be every single day.
http://www.facebook.com/manx.hypnosis Xavier Mary Nathan

This is a great post. I have been following your posts but this one caught my attention more than the others. I think the imagery of the other crabs pulling the one that is trying to escape back in to the bucket also conjured up am image of what it must have felt like for the Jews who were being gassed. Those who went in to clean up always found a a pile as people clawed their way upwards to find one last breath. It seems to be an instinctual survival mechanism and for me that is what the crabs are doing too.

Rather than using the image of the crabs as a way of seeing people in a bad light I would prefer to see it as nature showing us how we all share the same innate desire to survive.
- Anonymous
  
  Oh I completely believe it is a survival instinct. But I’d also like to think that it is an instinct we can transcend when our life is not at stake.
Ankita789

I loved the story. Something similar is happening in my life and i was left confused! I think i now see a ray of hope! Thanks so much! I really feel that someone is really there to support me!
- Anonymous
  
  SO glad this gave you encouragement!
Lily

Very true! I have always been that crab with the ladder aiding in the escape and am still surprised to find how many “crabs” are too comfortable to even try to climb that ladder.
- Anonymous
  
  Yes – they’ve gotta wanna.
Musbdan

I’ve escaped my bucket… I am free!! I won’t go back for my old crabby friends as it turns out they may have never been my friends to begin with… and they certainly won’t allow me to leave again.
- Anonymous
  
  Well then perhaps you can keep your eye out for another rogue crab who needs a little help over the edge of the bucket.
http://www.antistretchmarktreatment.com/mederma-stretch-mark-cream-reviews mederma coupon

Hi Sarah.
This is really an inspiring story you’ve shared.
- Anonymous
  
  thank you so much.
Fishgrl69

Ty Sarah for sharing your story, it was a perfect morning, cup of coffee read. We were put on this earth to help eachother along in this path of light called life. Perfect way to start my day =)) Blessings…

Love, Light, and Peace,

Luz Merida
- Anonymous
  
  I love imagining you with your cup of coffee reading my post. Beautiful.
Jeff Lescouflair

Awesome Post! I was never familiar with the term “Crab Mentality” until now. It is very true that it exists at a worldly scale. Unfortunately as you stated, there are those that are willing to pull you down when threatened beyond their norm. But, if we aid one another to achieve greater heights beyond the walls of the bucket that traps us, there are endless possibilities that await (opportunities and dreams). Mediocrity is similar to a stagnant ocean, no flow nor current; with the push from a breeze, we can bring life to a beautiful scene.
- Anonymous
  
  Really really love this Jeff. It really is a simple thing. Not to be confused with easy, of course.
http://www.facebook.com/michelle.boisseleau Michelle Boisseleau

that’s a nice post, I love it! … so true..
http://www.facebook.com/michelle.boisseleau Michelle Boisseleau

that’s a nice post, I love it! … so true..
- Anonymous
  
  Thank you Michelle!
Brani

Thank you for this brilliant text. I really needed to read something like this
- Anonymous
  
  I’m so glad it came along at the right time.
Michaelf_51

In an indirect way this reminds me a little of the hundredth monkey phenomenon. Check it out. Joe Campbell used to talk a lot about a transendant trait that can come from just one unique moment that gets transferred throughout a culture or group. I’m not as good at explaining it but I know inately it’s real.
- Anonymous
  
  yes- I know that story. It becomes part of our genetic encoding. Which is a really good reason to make sure we don’t succumb!
Janevanhonk

I love this analogy. When I was in highschool I stayed overnight at a girlfriend’s house so we could sneak out after her parents were asleep to meet our highschool sweethearts in the middle of the night. We had a ball and on the way home a man stepped out of the bushes and started chasing us. We ran screaming our brains out and when I got close to my girlfriend I practically rammed her over to get away from the villain chasing us! Literally I would have run over the top of her I was so scared. So much for my charitable protect your neighbor mentality! We’ll a good lesson learned. Our villain turned out to be her Father masked to scare us!! I was delivered home in the middle of the night and my parents grounded me for two months! Like the crabs I was pulling the others down to get out of harms way. If I had used your analogy and reached out to my girlfriend instead of trampling her we might have had a better ending to the story! Probably still would have been grounded !! I will contemplate more and more on the crabs now!!
Ssdellacasa

I had an event over the summer called ‘ No more crabs in a Bucket” so I had a great chuckle reading your post. I am from a small developing country shaking violently the treees of normalcy they have grown used to………..I know it is not personal since change is hard so I take their obstancles as the Universe’s way of saying to me….get creative chic;-) There is another theory on this crab in the barrel thing…..it is that the stronger crabs get to the tops and they are supposed to reach down and pull up the weaker crabs…..which sometimes is risky business since those weaker crabs not knowing any better think they are being trciked and sometimes snaps back vs. accepting a hand trying to pull them up!
http://cassiopeiarises.blogspot.com Beloved49

Wonderful write. I like to think I am one of those who get out of the bucket.

Melanie
Olga

Thanks,Sarah The idea of a community sounds good enough,really! When a human feels supporting, he is encouraged to climb up higher, even higher than just the edge of the bucket, isn’t he ?
nishu

This reminds me of the story of a king i studied in my chilhood in which the king looses the battle again and again to a king of another kingdom .He got frustrated and decided not to fight again, but one day when he was sitting alone he saw an ant trying to get to the top of the wall ,but everytime he tries to do so he fell,but he didn,t give up he kept on trying and finally he got to the top.the king also got the lesson and he went to fight again and this time he won .U know many says the king was mohammad ghori(i’m nt sure).So guys never give up.
Sefora Agius

I haven’t read all the previous comments so I don’t know if this has already been pointed out but: it is true that there will always be people in life who will put you down and there are others (though fewer) that will wish to help HOWEVER I believe that looking for these people will be a waste of time and energy, basically because it is like looking for a needle in a haystack out in the real world. I’m not saying that you should not keep an eye out for them because then you do not want to miss the woods for the trees in life but, at the same time, to continue with the crab analogy, you must make damn sure that you are one of the crabs on the other side of the bucket building a ladder to escape. If you’re not lucky enough to come across these crabs during your first attempts at making your way out, you must start building the ladder yourself … other crabs may turn up on their own to help or you may find crabs managing to make a better ladder who let you pitch in (that is why it is then important not to get too absorbed in your own work) but no matter what happens it is important that you have given your all to survive and went down fighting (if you’re not lucky enough to succeed).

Another thing is that in reality things are never as clear cut as people trying to put you down and people trying to help you and that is why giving it a go on your own if there is no other way is so important. There may be people who genuinely intend to help you out but because of various reasons out of both of your control they do not manage and end up pulling you down instead. Such people must still be treated with compassion but cannot at the end of the day be allowed to interfere with your own goals and life in general.
Bratzbak

I saw Paulo Coehlo’s link on Facebook, and had to come see the full post. I can’t thank you both enough for this! It came at a time in my life where one specific crab is doing their best to pull me and another down. It gives me a much needed boost of hope believing there are those out there that are working to help us just as much as (or more than) the other. With so much bad and wrong in the world, it is a comfort to read of something Positive for a change! Thank you!
http://twitter.com/whatifyoudo Lesley Elizabeth

Sarah – you should check out the Impossible League. http://impossibleleague.com/ It’s a group of people daring to blast mediocrity and challenge themselves daily to do better.
@mayracortesfl

You have me looking for that analogy that morning! I read the “tweet” and was so fascinated…didn’t know how to put it in writing to share with my friends. Thanks for sharing with us and thanks to Mr. Coelho too!!!
Gosia

Hey Sarah,
I really love your article. It is a very brilliant observation of our community. Thank you for sharing this!
Ruth

Glad I found this today!
I needed it!!!! Thanks!
Amidarj

great…. I mite be one of them but I need help and support.
Amidarj

Its my turn to climb higher…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=719564250 Parveena Dahari

I’m really glad I came across this. It’s so interesting to see how humans function, but unfortunately as separate entities. No real aid in between them and no consideration. I’m still searching for those who would build the ladder and together we would help each other and climb it. I am convinced there is such a group and we would find each other……… We just have to pay attention to the signs on our way as well….like Paolo had said.
Sara

Great post, thank you. Quite inspiring, when you think about it and look around you. I had heard about the crab mentality, but for some reason(!), I forgot about it, maybe I lost hope of ever finding the group outside of the bucket, then again, maybe this post is a sight of a safety rope leading outside….. who knows? Thank you!
Sarah

Thank you! I needed to be reminded of this today : )
Debi

Dear Sara,
What a beautiful article !
We all know that people more often than not look down on our dreams ,convince us to play safe and do all these in the name of showing concern for us. We know different too, we know that one has to take risks, believe even when things are happily going to hell. Yet sometimes we forget.Sometimes we get caught up in the story so much that we end up believing others.
Sara, thank you for such a timely reminder…
Love and light,
Debi
P.S – In the monkey story, at the end one monkey does make it to that elusive banana.
Marieke

Thank you Sarah for sharing your story. I came here to through PC’s blog indeed and I love your metaphor. I experienced a lot of crabs pulling my leg when I got divorced. Getting there was a process in itself for I have been my own crab bucket for a long time. Once I got out, I was surprised to notice how many other people are unwilling to accept this getting out of the bucket, even though my ex and I are totally in the clear with each other.

I sometimes feel as if none of the other crabs even want to escape mediocrity and invest their energy in letting things stay the same, fear and need to control taking over their dreams and wishes. I have read a lot of the comments posted below and I hooray all people that see there is a choice. The route of freedom will always be burdened with the crab pulling, yes, but freedom exist. So this crab will invest her energy in finding that freedom for herself and for others.
Ybnormal4ne1

The people are aiding and abetting in the protests of the Occupy Wall Street movement that has now spread all over the world.
Caraporu

The crab mentality is happening in every poor country, from their leader to ordinary citizen they pull each other back instead help out each other.
http://twitter.com/freduagyeman Nana Fredua-Agyeman

I enjoyed your story. Though the crab behaviour is a proverb in our language, all I needed is a reminder at a time when I’ve changed jobs and looking for an encouragement to survive in a completely new environment. Thanks very much for this.
Grossl

so true…. and Crab mentality is sister of Grab mentality both very often found down here…
Vicky

Thank you for this great story!
I really needed to read this story to help me understand how much I really need to get out of the ”bucket”. I am trying for a long time to get out and am still fighting, but with no help. Unfortunately there were and still are many who are pulling me down and ufortunately you see that going on in this world every day. I hope soon I will find someone who will throw me the roap to get out.

Thank You again!
Anonymous

I love this post Sarah! And what fun to see the responses from all over the world. You know you are onto something when you hit a chord like this across so many cultures.

I found it interesting to ponder the times I have felt like others were working to sabotage me. Instead of feeling resentment toward them I am going to take those times as confirmation that I am on the right track. If I weren’t a threat to escape there would be no reason for the other crabs to reach up to drag me back. If no one is challenging you it may be that you are on the bottom of the bucket.
Brendamstec

Brilliant story…remember, when dealing with the Crab Mentality in whatever area of life…believe with all your heart that you deserve what you are seeking…Peace and Happiness to Everyone!
Mediocrity

Only my personal opinion, so please don’t be offended, but I think this is wrong! …In my experience all people seek the same goals with regard to ‘complete self fulfillment’; nobody wants mediocrity. The problem is that most people see their own success as relative to others, so that if someone else succeeds it makes them FEEL less successful themselves and this is why they don’t like it. In order to overcome this we need to constantly remind each other that the ‘Holy Grail’ of true ‘Authenticity of self’ does not depend on, and cannot be undermined by, others. There is no US and THEM, we are all in it together; EVERY LAST ONE OF US!!
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I feel very strong that Divine Mediocrity has been reigning for a very long time. I have certainly have had to pay a price for being different. For many it is a cultural conditioning or a self-esteem issue and they cannot even think of themselves out side the crab bushel. Education has been supporting this crab in a bucket. Mediocrity has been rewarded and it will continue to be. I say carry your own ladder and help any one else who wants to use your ladder. Unfortunately a number of people do not even know that they are in a bucket.
Farhang

So your out of bucket now, good for you and Paulo. this crab mentality is not something new for sure you know that. If I don’t get it you won’t get it as well is the agenda of many people around us. Sadly it exist also in our mind, may be in form of resentment to success of others instead of truly be happy for them and share their happiness. (I remember I read something from Paulo, a true friend is the one who shares the happiness with you not the sadness) Resentment of one has love and I don’t have, this is the real devastating crab mentality where you pull yourself down. Find the group and those who make the ladder for you? why don’t you build it yourself, I believe we should get rid of those sabotaging self destroying mind chats that says all the time where are you going? hey here in the bucket is safer look if we suppose to die we die all together and if we suppose to survive we survive all. Your post is nice and I came to your website like many others through Paulo. Take Care
David Brown

I love your story. I especially resonate with escaping mediocrity and I can see why a client of mine sent this to me, as that’s what we are focusing on! I’m jumping out of my skin wanting to share with you a way out that I discovered. It’s called Tribal Leadership (www.triballeadership.net). Their premise is simple: birds flock, people tribe. So in any organization or large group there are tribes. They narrow this down to 5 developmental stages, with most of us being at stage 3 – that’s the crab bucket! It’s all about me, no me, no ME, hey me over here…A bunch of crabs trying to outdo each other. But at stage 4 it’s all about us. Those are the crabs building ladders, or in TL’s case, networks of relationships, a web of triads. What I absolutely love about Tribal Leadership is how accessible it is and they made all their stuff open source, so you can go to their website and even download the entire book in audio for free.
So there IS a way out of mediocrity, and it’s not a solo journey. Check these folks out. They even have a couple of videos on http://www.ted.com. I have blogposts on TL on my website http://mastercoaches.com/blog/ (though admittedly I don’t yet have your flare for story telling) and also the TED videos http://mastercoaches.com/favorite-videos/
Honestly I don’t get paid for sharing this stuff. I just love their work and think it’s a cool, user friendly wonderful way to help lots of crabs escape mediocrity together.
Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I will keep checking you out!
Pingback: The Crab Mentality… | Genius Coaching
R2050

Your post is a very positive one.It fills in me energy to reunite,reconciliate,and no matter whatever and whatsoever,never to give up.
abdikader

It was quite amazing because when i saw this article i was taking part a discusion going on in a google group which am a member and we were in discussion about the issue of discouraging about the work of the others. one of my collegues asked if the Somalis ( i am somali and i live in Somalia) culturally have the tendency of pulling down those who want to achieve their dreams, i unexpectedly come across this interesting topic, i googled the word crab mentality and i found the meaning from the wikipidea and i shared one of my friends who had a similar somali word and when i explained to him he laughted out loud and he admired the process and it is the same process in our culture. we need to have a world free from crab mentality and we need to teach the crabs to help others escape from the bucket. Thanks Sarah Robinson, this was practical.
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Wow, great observation and analogy.
This mindset of accepting mediocrity is embedded deep within the subconscious of most people in society. It is not limited to national borders or cultural differences. The only way to truly break the mold and begin to tap into your true hidden potential is to reprogram your mind!
My husband and I have created a method called The 40 Day Master System that uses NLP statements recorded in the theta brainwave frequency that speaks directly to your subconscious mind to help release you from fears of lack, failure and everything else that serves to hold you back from being the best YOU that you can be.
http://www.40daymastersystem.com
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I think the problem was that as we made that long walk home carrying crabs, there were always one or two who figured out how to climb up to the edge of the bucket in an attempt to escape. Every now and then we would have to tap the edge of the bucket to knock them back down.
Deepa

Thanks for this post Sarah. When i saw the post by Paulo Coelho on mediocrity i asked ‘So you know u’re a genius. What next?’. And here comes the answer from Sarah Robinson ‘I believe that for those of us determined to get out of the bucket, a group exists. It may take some time to find them, but they are there, ready to throw a safety rope over the edge and pull us out’. Thanks for the post again
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Hi Sarah! I so love seafoods. They contain a lot of essential nutrients with them. Especially crabs. They’re so yummy and delicious! I am planning to start a business with seafoods soon.
ron

Oh dear me. I wish I could find anyone trying to get out of the bucket. anyone here in bkk,thailand please holler
Iamirish23

It is indeed true Ms. Sarah, thank you for sharing. Most of the time I found myself like a blind folded woman holding a set of scale balancing the right thing to do to help others and be happy for them and just support them for their accomplishments, but I’m not Themis the Goddess of justice, safe to say I’m Goddess of Doubts? lol just kidding Thanks anyways
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Hello Sarah. I don’t understand why I love eating crabs but I’m allergic to it. It’s so frustrating.
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Hello Sarah. I am such a hypersensitive person. My body won’t permit me to eat crabs. Too bad. They look very delicious. I’m so sad.
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Hi Sarah. There are a lot of big and delicious crabs in Florida. Most suppliers are located there.
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Mediocrity and crab mentality is epidemic! I have people currently at work who throw things at my back without me knowing them! I just found out recently. Oh well, I always believed in karma.
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Wow! look at how big those crabs are. For sure they can make a truly delectable dish. Now, it makes me hungry.
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Those crabs looks so delicious. Just looking at the photos makes me so hungry. I can imagine them cooked! So yummy!
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This is really inspiring, I will not be surprised that the famous Paulo Coelho retweeted your thoughts. I have long wished that crab mentality will be only for crabs as it is innate to them, it’s just a sad reality that people do that too.
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I know this is really boring and you are skipping to the next comment, but I just wanted to throw you a big thanks you cleared up some things for me!
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Great post, very informative.
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I think a lot of people will find this very useful.
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Keep post in coming future as well!!!
Pingback: The “Crabs In A Bucket” Myth: Just Create Your Own Bucket and Find Like-Minded Crabs « Franky Benítez
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Your site is stunning I assume you have to translate it to other languages.
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Thank you so much