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

Thrive because of Change

After waking up early with the belief that he would find food, Gordy found enough for a light breakfast and made his way to Sammy’s place, where Sammy was once again waiting for him.

“So, how’d it go yesterday?” Sammy asked.

“Really good,” Gordy answered. “But—”

“But what?” Sammy asked.

“But I think I could find even more food. I’ve found enough to get by, but if I’m going to be a fearless shark then I want to do more than survive. I want to thrive. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

“You’re not doing anything wrong,” Sammy said as he lifted Gordy with his fin, plopped him on his back, and started swimming faster and faster. “It’s just that now you are at the point where your positive attitude must be enhanced by focus and action. A positive attitude will help you survive, but it’s not enough. If you want to thrive, then you must not only think like a shark, but act like one, too.”

“How’s that?” Gordy asked.

“It’s best to show you what I mean,” Sammy said as he raced around the ocean with a focus and intensity unlike anything Gordy had ever seen. He found more food in an hour than Gordy caught all day. But he didn’t stop there. He continued searching for food throughout the day, taking short breaks and then resuming his search with more focus and intensity than before. By the end of the day Sammy had found more food than Gordy had seen in a lifetime. He was amazed.

“You know what the difference between you and me is?” Sammy asked.

“Yeah, you’re a lot ...