I am trying to keep pace with my work and personal life. It is difficult to get time to read books these days. So, whenever something comes up I read it, not necessarily a book. Here is one interesting read for you –
—–
An experiment was done with fourth grade children (reference The Payoff Principle) in a school – a game of stomping balloon. Each child was tied a balloon on his/her leg. The objective of the game was to pop others balloon while saving your ba
lloon. The person who is left with intact balloon would be declared winner.
The children in one group played the game with full commitment and stomped balloon of others as quickly as possible. It was a battle of being pushy, offensive and powerful to get others out of the game. Within no time all the balloon were stomped.
This same game was played in a different school with special children. They were given same explanation as the previous group, but this group played the game very differently. Since it was a group of differently abled children perhaps they were not clear of instruction. This group understood the game like this – “we have to pop the balloons”. These kids were concentrating on balloon to pop and move on to next rather than saving their own and the other child as the target.
These kids started helping each other pop the balloons. For example – one kid took his balloon and held it in hands so that other can pop it. Once that was popped, the other kid took the balloon tied in his leg and held it, someone popped that balloon. In some time, all balloons were stomped. It went on like this for some time until the balloons were popped, in the end every child cheered and every child won!
The author concludes – ” …we tend to think another man’s success as one less opportunity for us to succeed. …in our world we have one top dog…” “…If we ever find yourself in that enviable position, we will fight like a mad man to maintain our hold on it… How are you playing your game?”
This is where the difference comes into play. The concept of this blog Business to the Buddha is similar, we need to change the perspective of our world, our own-self and things will change only to improve.
Image source – https://pixabay.com/en/balloon-happy-child-infant-kid-154183/
Story source – The Payoff Principle (Google Books sample)
7 Comments
Amit Tripathi · October 3, 2016 at 2:47 pm
A good story. The success of another individual can also spur one to make the necessary changes to succeed oneself. Instead, envy destroys this inherent capability to improve by looking at the success of people around us.
KRD Pravin · October 9, 2016 at 5:48 pm
Yes Amit a good story therefore shared here :).
Been long we touch base. Hope everything going on great at your end.
rummuser · October 3, 2016 at 7:24 pm
“You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.” -Thomas Wolfe.
Success here can stand for winning. I have no balloons to pop! Neither mine nor anyone else’s.
KRD Pravin · October 9, 2016 at 5:52 pm
Thats what is most likable about you. Always very happy, take life as it comes and there is no running (winning) around. You know what? That “wins” you people and successful relations 🙂
Chuck McConvey · October 8, 2016 at 6:26 am
Winning has to do with the game being played and the ground rules governing the game. Winning is not necessarily a universal construct – hence your tale has different winners based upon the games participant.even though the game is defined as the same.Winning a sports event is fairly straightforward. Winning at life is an entirely different matter.
KRD Pravin · October 9, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Agree completely. But why to have a concept of winning? Everyone reaches the finishing line (include death) at the end.
Chuck McConvey · October 10, 2016 at 2:39 am
Why have a concept of winning? A measuring stick for success or failure – must be from my athletic background. Keep moving forward, no matter what size steps you take every step is a win.