The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change

Send Your “Inner Goldfish” to Shark School:

Seven Tips That Will Help You Thrive in an Ocean of Change

The changes you’re facing right now may seem daunting, or even downright terrifying.

Don’t let fear and doubt constrict your future, though. Author Jon Gordon

says you have a lot more control than you think you do. It’s time to stop waiting to

be fed like a goldfish and start developing some (shark-like) initiative.

            Hoboken, NJ (October 2009)—We’re living in a time of upheaval. Just turn on the news and you’ll hear about rising unemployment rates, economic woes, proposed changes to governmental policies that will upend the status quo. And chances are, you’ve been directly affected by the waves of change that are crashing across the nation. Perhaps you’re working reduced hours, facing relocation, or have lost your job altogether. (Or maybe that fate has befallen your spouse.) At the very least, you’ve probably had to tighten your purse strings, and you’re probably worried about what might be ahead.

In the midst of this rising tide of uncertainty, author Jon Gordon steps in to deliver a timely message: You have more control than you think you do. And how you handle adversity is your choice—in fact, it’s the only choice that matters.

“Change happens to everyone, whether we welcome it or not,” says Gordon, author of the new book The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change (Wiley, September 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-50360-7, $16.95). “When the wave of change hits—and it always has and always will!—you can choose to cower down and let it crush you, or you can embrace the new circumstances, learn from them, and ride the wave to a more positive future.”

That’s the lesson Gordon shares in The Shark and the Goldfish. A delightfully illustrated fable that will speak to readers from the schoolroom to the boardroom, the book tells the story of a pampered goldfish named Gordy who accidentally gets swept into the ocean.  (As the author’s lighthearted “confession” at the beginning of the book attests, he fully realizes that real-life goldfish can’t survive in the ocean’s saltwater!)

Not used to fending for himself, Gordy gives in to his exhaustion, hunger, and fear. Luckily, he is rescued by Sammy the shark (who realizes that his negatively stereotyped species could use some positive publicity!). Sammy takes Gordy under his fin, shows him how to proactively find food, and teaches him the ultimate lesson: that the difference between a full belly and an empty stomach depends solely upon your faith, beliefs, and actions.

            “Just like Gordy, many of us have to change the way we think and act in order to survive and thrive when life isn’t going our way,” asserts Gordon. “It might surprise you, but many successful people and businesses have actually grown to prominence during the worst recessions and downturns—all because they took action and moved full steam ahead while others merely tried to stay afloat.”

            Gordon speaks from experience—he lost his job in 2001 during the dot.com bust, and was a paycheck away from losing everything. During this period of adversity, though, Gordon made some important decisions about what he wanted and what he needed to do in order to achieve those goals.

            “My layoff actually led me to my life’s purpose and mission,” he says. “Now I’m a writer, speaker, and consultant. What I thought was the worst thing to ever happen to me was actually the best. I realized that you don’t always choose the course you want to follow—it chooses you. Success is all about how you perceive and respond to the changes you are facing!”

Chances are, you could use a good dose of Gordon’s enthusiasm. Ask yourself: Am I a shark or a goldfish? Do I wait to be fed, or do I take it upon myself to find food? If you’d like to become a stronger swimmer, read on for some strategies that will help you thrive during these tough times—and beyond. After all, it’s your choice!       

Decide where you want to swim, rather than being swept along by the current. As Gordon has emphasized, you have more control than you think you do. You’re not at the mercy of the tides—you can decide where you want to go, and it all depends on your attitude. The key is approaching life with a positive outlook, which allows you to look for opportunity in the midst of challenge. Always maintain a high internal locus of control—in other words, believe that events are sparked by your own actions and behavior, not someone else’s. With this type of attitude, you’ll be more proactive and more successful!

“You can influence your situation and outcomes by your positive thoughts, beliefs, and actions,” confirms Gordon. “Instead of defining your life as a horror story, think of it as an inspirational tale. Refuse to see yourself as a victim of circumstance, embrace the waves, and ride them to success! Both victims and heroes get knocked down. The difference is that heroes get back up. If you study history, you find that the people we celebrate are those who bounced back from adversity and challenges to bring out the best in themselves and others.”

Rejoice as the day’s debris is washed away. At one point or another, you’ve probably wished for the chance to start over. Good news: That’s exactly the opportunity with which change presents you! It’s all a matter of perspective. Gordon points out that when the waves of change wash away pieces of your old life, you get a fresh start and the opportunity to decide what you really want. He suggests asking yourself the following questions when faced with adversity:

• What can I learn from this experience?
• How can I grow wiser, stronger, and better because of it?
• What opportunities does it present?
• What do I want?
• What positive actions do I need to take?

“It’s okay if you don’t know the answers to those questions right away,” Gordon assures. “The key is keeping them in the back of your mind and continually seeking the answers. This will lead you to life-changing realizations, empowered actions, and positive new developments. Accept the fresh start you’ve been given. Your best days are behind you only if you think they are!”

Don’t let negativity sink you. Embracing change with a positive perspective is only part of the equation. According to Gordon, you must also hold on to optimism even when you’re surrounded by what he calls the “chorus of negativity.” You know this chorus—they’re the people who remind you of the lack of jobs, lack of opportunity, and lack of hope. They’re so focused on what’s impossible that they can’t see what’s possible. They might even go so far as to tell you, personally, that you’re not good enough, strong enough, or smart enough. That’s why having a strong locus of control is so important.

“Staying positive isn’t the absence of negativity, but remaining purposeful in the face of it,” Gordon explains. “You have to pass the test in your mind before you begin to see results. Don’t be imprisoned by the pessimism of others. Even if the unemployment rate is at 10 percent, focus on the fact that the employment rate is still 90 percent. You can choose to listen to the cynics and doubters, or you can choose to strengthen your positive beliefs. Remember, focus on your positive choices instead of the negative voices!”

When the waves get rough, choose faith instead of fear. What do faith and fear have in common (besides the letter “f,” as Gordy the goldfish points out)? They share a future that hasn’t happened yet. And the main thing that separates them is hope, or a lack thereof. Faith believes in a positive future, while fear believes in a negative future. Think about it. The rest of your life hasn’t happened yet. Why not choose to believe that good things are coming your way?

“Faith empowers you to take action, and it also gives you the strength you need to face the fears that might otherwise sabotage your joy and success,” says Gordon. “I’ll be the first to admit that starting a new life isn’t easy—for sharks or for goldfish. It’s natural to feel fear of the unknown, of failure, of not being good enough. Goldfish let this fear paralyze them, but sharks choose to swim ahead, believing that the best is yet to come. Faith and belief in a positive future lead to powerful actions today!”

Choose to see the ocean as a place of abundance. Yes, the world is full of challenges and misfortunes. Sometimes bad things do happen to good people. In fact, they’ve probably happened to you. Despite it all, though, you need to realize that it’s a big ocean out there. The world is a vast place filled with energy, vitality, resources, and opportunity. Choose to focus on those things and seek them out. You might need to move, or you might need to innovate and find a better way of doing your job. Yes, the process may be harder than it was during the prosperous times, but it is possible to build a life that fulfills you, even now.

“Why choose to limit the possibilities when history has shown that anything is possible?” asks Gordon. “Why shouldn’t you be the one to streamline an inefficient process at work? Why shouldn’t you be the one to start your own business? You need to think big and expect that there is enough out there for everyone, especially you. True, everyone gets down sometimes. I certainly do. But when that happens to you, promise yourself that you’ll tap into the ray of hope and optimism that’s shining through and swim forward in faith. When you expect success, you’ll find more of it.”

Swim harder and farther every day. If you do just enough to get by, that’s all you’ll do—get by. And (here’s a sobering thought) in times of turbulent change, merely getting by might cause you to be let go. Only those who work hard are able to successfully ride the waves of change. Gordon points out that while goldfish survive, sharks thrive. And it’s because they swim powerfully through the ocean all day—they don’t paddle around in a fishbowl. Very few people achieve success without effort and focus. Remember, there’s no substitute for hard work. Not talent, not intelligence, and not privilege.

“Sure, a positive attitude is a must, but to really mean something, it’s got to be accompanied by focus and action,” Gordon points out. “Hard work has been, is, and always will be the key to success. Now more than ever, you must be willing to work harder than everyone else. The harder you work, the luckier you become.”

Don’t settle for a fishbowl when there’s a whole sea waiting for you! Instead of swimming around aimlessly with the other goldfish, identify what you want, where you can find it—and then get better at finding it! Average is just that—average. So don’t settle. After all, goldfish merely survive while sharks thrive. Every day, you can learn, grow, and improve. The question, What did you learn today? isn’t just for schoolchildren. Consciously think about what the answer might be each night. It might take you awhile to find the job you dream of or perfect the invention you’ve been tinkering with, but every day that you choose to work hard is a day that leads to the life you want.

“Now is a time when those who have a great work ethic and an ability to focus will shine,” promises Gordon. “The world is full of opportunity for those who are willing to work hard and find it. And remember that you’re not alone. Learn from others and model their success!”

            “Our nation teems with goldfish who are waiting to be fed,” concludes Gordon. “And now that food is scarcer, fear and uncertainty are more plentiful. You don’t have to live with them, though. Put yourself through shark school and proactively transform adversity into a wave of prosperity. And as you swim closer to your goals, remember to always stay humble and hungry. Humble enough to learn every day, and hungry with a passion to live up to your potential.

“It’s a big ocean out there…so go swim and thrive in it!”

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About the Author:

Jon Gordon is a consultant, keynote speaker, and the international bestselling author of The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, and Training Camp, all from Wiley. He and his books have been featured on CNN and on NBC’s Today show, as well as in Forbes, Fast Company, O, The Oprah Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Jon’s principles have been put to the test by NFL football teams and Fortune 500 companies alike. He has worked with such clients as the Atlanta Falcons, the PGA Tour, Northwestern Mutual, JPMorgan Chase, and Publix Supermarkets. A graduate of Cornell University, he holds a master’s degree in teaching and works with numerous businesses, professional sports teams, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations. For more information, please visit: www.JonGordon.com.

About the Book:

The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change (Wiley, September 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-50360-7, $16.95) is available at bookstores nationwide, major online booksellers, or direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797.

Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley’s core business includes scientific, technical, and medical journals; encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional and consumer books and subscription services; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley’s global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. www.wiley.com