I just read an incredible article about fleas.
Yup. I said fleas.
You know, those ridiculously small, rather disgusting and irritating creatures that to me, have no real use. Except to cause irritation.
But in this case, now, inspiration.
I will never look at fleas the same way again. In fact, I am so fascinated by this study that was done and what it uncovered, that it may very well be the most influential thing that I’ve learned. And I’ve learned a lot, so that’s saying something.
And yet, now these little tiny creatures just taught me something new. And something that is bound to have a huge impact on you as well once you read it.
Have you heard of The Pygmalion Effect?
I had, but until a second ago I couldn’t have told you what it was.
The Pygmalion Effect is the behavioral science principle that states that an employee’s success is directly related to the company’s expectations.
What does this have to do with fleas, you ask?
I’ll get to that.
The above isn’t isolated to just employees and companies. It can be used in any circumstances, i.e. Parents and children, teachers and students . . . and yes . . . fleas.
There have been scientific studies done on fleas, wherein they were put in a glass jar, first lidless and free to escape and then jars with lids.
When the fleas were placed in jars with lids they were trained to stay in the jar even after the lid was removed. It only took three days to train the fleas, to make the fleas believe they were still constrained even though the barrier was gone.
The most interesting part of this experiment, to me, was that the next generation of fleas was also constrained by the invisible barrier. The Pygmalion effect explains this saying that the next generation develops the same expectations as their parents had.
But more interesting still, it takes only one flea removed from this jar and placed in a bigger jar with fleas who are jumping higher and free to shatter that fleas mental barrier of his previous constraints.
Lemmings come to mind for me when I learned this.
Can you imagine what this means for humans? What this means for you?
I already knew that having a positive mindset was important. That sometimes it can make all the difference between succeeding and failing, having a great day vs. a horrid one.
I already knew that constant negative impact can take a toll on a person, that studies were done in regards to teacher’s expectations of students and its clear influence on whether a child does well or not.
I also already knew that you are what you eat, and you should surround yourself with the right people in your life in order to have a better one.
But until I learned this about fleas, it didn’t quite sink in HOW important the influence of those around you can be. The fact that such influence can literally dictate whether you jump high or not, whether you run free, or whether you simply don’t believe you can so you don’t even try.
I know that a lot of people who grew up in less than ideal situations were able to make something of themselves. That it is possible to break free on your own. Some people are strong enough. Where there’s a will there’s a way and all that.
But imagine, if the will isn’t there, and yet you have others around you doing amazing things it then allows your mind to free itself from the things that have held you back, old mantras, old thoughts put there by poor role models, negative circumstances and surroundings. Imagine what the world could accomplish if we lifted these barriers together?
What could YOU accomplish if you change jars?
I encourage you to think about this for a while. Let it sink in. Go watch the Fleas in a Jar video.
Allow yourself to think a new way. Stop listening to the negative words around you. Stop living your life the way others want and expect you to.
Start finding like-minded people who want to break through the barriers with you. Start living your life YOUR way.
I have done the impossible. I have accomplished most of what is typically on people’s bucket lists. I have done so with nay Sayers and no support. But I am not done. I have far more to do and far more impossible things to make possible.
One of which is helping others realize the small jar isn’t the only jar.
Not only that, but there is no jar. There are no limits.
Even if you’ve spent most of your life in the small jar, doing the expected, the norm, the traditional way of things . . . doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of more. In fact, I think the fleas just showed you it’s quite the contrary.
One of my favorite people, Marie Forleo, who I found recently and have learned from is the perfect example of this. Even her coined phrase and newly published book, “Everything is Figureoutable,” points to this exact concept.
Surround yourself with people and circumstances that teach you how to jump higher than you ever thought possible.
What have you held yourself back from doing because you thought you couldn’t?
Please leave me a comment below. Or send me a message. I would love to hear from you!
Your friend,
Kat
nurturingyourbody.com
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