🦀 Your Role? Crabs In Barrels.

learnedman
Oct 12
3 min read

by Eric M. Chisem | #LearnedMan

Smiles R Contagious | Be the Difference.

We’ve all heard about the crabs in the bucket story — that vivid image of one crab trying to climb out, only to be pulled back down by the others. It’s often used as a metaphor for human behavior — jealousy, competition, or insecurity that keeps progress from happening.

But today, I want to look at that story through a different lens. What if, instead of just talking about the crabs who pull, we asked a different question:

What’s your role in the barrel?

🧭 The Traditional View

In the traditional version of the story, several behaviors show up that mirror real life:

• Envy & Competition: People become envious when they see someone achieving success they themselves desire. Instead of learning from it, they try to outshine or criticize it.

• Sabotage: Some intentionally or subtly undermine others, thinking that someone else’s progress somehow reduces their own worth.

• Self-Preservation: Others resist change out of fear — afraid someone else’s growth will expose their own lack of effort or comfort in mediocrity.

• Shared Limitation: There’s a silent agreement: “If I can’t have it, neither can you.”

That’s the traditional “crabs in a barrel” mindset. It’s human, but it’s also optional.

🌊 The Spin: What If You’re the Crab With Wisdom?

Now imagine you’re in the barrel — but this time, you possess awareness, purpose, and emotional intelligence.

You’re not just another crab; you’re a conscious one.

So ask yourself:

• Are you the kind crab who motivates others to keep climbing?

• Are you the calm crab who stays clear of confusion, focusing instead on peace and growth?

• Are you the leader crab who looks back — not to pull others down — but to pull them up?

Because knowing who you are determines how you move — and who you surround yourself with determines how high you’ll go. When you choose to be around like-minded crabs, your barrel transforms into something powerful: a launching pad.

💡 Real-World Examples of Being the Difference

1. The Workplace Barrel:

You notice a colleague being recognized for an idea similar to one you once shared. You could react with bitterness — or choose to celebrate them. By celebrating, you create connection, and often that energy circles back. The same colleague may invite you to collaborate on the next big project. That’s elevation — not envy.

2. The Friendship Barrel:

A friend starts a new business or finds new confidence. Instead of asking “Why not me?”, you ask “How can I support?” You repost, you encourage, you buy their product, you speak their name in rooms they aren’t in yet. That’s being the difference — you become the reason their dream gains traction.

3. The Family Barrel:

Sometimes, the toughest barrel is the one we’re born into. You may be the first to graduate, start a business, or break a cycle. Family members may not understand the climb at first, but your consistency can change generations. When you rise with grace, you show others it’s possible — and you open the lid for them too.

4. The Community Barrel:

You’re in a room full of leaders, educators, or peers, and you choose to use your influence to spotlight others. You intentionally “make room” for voices that have been quiet. The ripple effect? People start doing the same — and now, the barrel is filled with encouragers, not competitors.

🔑 The Perspective Shift

Being the difference means you climb and you care.

You rise and you reach.

You move without malice and succeed without comparison.

Every barrel has a purpose — maybe it’s not a trap at all. Maybe it’s the testing ground for emotional growth. It reveals who’s truly ready to lead, lift, and love through life’s climb.

When you transform your mindset, the barrel becomes your bridge.