Fish Outta Water!

Fish Outta Water!

©Allen Merritt (2015)

Recently, I noticed a billboard which read, “Be a Big Fish. Be Somebody!”

I immediately thought of choosing between being a little fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. You know, finding that place where you feel most comfortable and fitting in. It brings to question whether to walk the lines of conventional-ism or not; AND, whether to take leaps of faith/risks for stepping outside that comfort zone. When you think about it, it comes down to an individual choice or preference. It could go either way.

Actually, there are a couple of terms for these ideas. One is called the big-fish-little-pond effect¹ where an individual feels most at home with their self-concept in a low-to-medium ability category. In other words, they feel more revered and driven in smaller environments where they stand a better chance to excel.

The reverse concept is the reflected glory effect¹, where someone is driven to reach higher by the challenge of the situation (i.e. intellectual stimulation).

Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond where everyone knows your name OR do you want to be a small fish in a big pond working toward the possibility of everyone knowing your name without any guarantees?

In a world where so many are striving for success, it makes sense to question what that means, how it is defined, where one is most comfortable and how an individual achieves assurance that they are growing, learning and taking steps up the ladder. After all, we all want to feel we are moving forward in life. So where are the clues? Where are our support systems? How long do we keep trying? When do we cut our losses and make new decisions? The list of questions goes on and on.

I am incredibly familiar with these concepts. As a creative and performing artist, validation and worth are not readily available. If you do not discover that within-side yourself, you’re likely never to find it. You most likely feel like a fish-out-of-water more often than not.

You always question things:

•  Never knowing if you’re any good at what you do.
•  Never sure if you’re making good choices.
•  Not sure if you’re getting anywhere.
• Don’t know what to do next.

      Ultimately, the philosophical question of the day is, “Is it better to be a big fish in a little pond or vice verse?”

Sometimes it means keeping yourself oriented toward the positive and allow opportunities or challenges to come and go without judgment. Human beings are always able to learn and grow if they open themselves up to the prospects.  Quite possibly, it helps if we find a balance between the two. Work toward becoming a bigger fish in the big pond while keeping yourself grounded enough in that someplace called ‘home’ (smaller pond), which may be keeping up with and accepting, valuing and finding worth in your accomplishments; even in those times when it feels like you are only treading water. Thinking in those terms you can reflect on just how far you've come by being reminded of where you have been.

I guess, in some way, when you leave the small pond for bigger waters, you ARE like a fish-out-of-water, but that does not mean you become anything less as a result.

At the end of the day, where you place yourself matters more than what others want or expect you to be.

Step out of that negativity. Make your own choices and be something.

If you want to be a big fish in a small pond, there is nothing wrong with that. There is room and need for that kind of mentality. 

If you want to aim for the sky and work in a bigger pond as a smaller part of the whole, go for it.

Challenges are everywhere you go. The work still has to be done. Think positively in every situation. Look for the good and be the best you can be in that moment and place. By doing so, you stand a better chance of being right at home exactly where you.

Besides, if you are a fish-out-of-water, it may mean you are achieving success. If so, don’t fight it. Embrace it. Why should you fit in when you were born to stand out, right?

Cheers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big-fish%E2%80%93little-pond_effect¹ (Viewed on 2/26/2015)