Goldfish Theory – Are you in a Bowl or Pond? (2024)

Goldfish Theory – Are you in a Bowl or Pond? (1)

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Devnag Padavala Goldfish Theory – Are you in a Bowl or Pond? (2)

Devnag Padavala

CTO - Digital eXperience

Published Nov 21, 2021

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“Nag, don’t you think I have the right capabilities to grow, but why is my growth stagnant?” one of my ex-colleagues asked me in a casual chit chat. Though I convincingly answered him saying “You do, Buddy… but wait for the right time”. I knewTimingis something that everyone tries to blame, but shouldn’t that be the last resort after you exercised all your options?Capability Vs Growth– While it is prevalent in the IT industry, it’s a much-talked subject in any industry. We observe some people with decent talent, scale to greater heights while someone with killing skills, struggles hard to get recognition. Where do you think is the gap? I’d say it is all aboutSurroundings and Choices. Before I dwell on it, let me share a theory I read about - Goldfish theory or the Fish tank philosophy.

According to this theory, goldfish growth is mainly dependent on its surroundings. The theory says that if a goldfish is put in a bowl or a small tank, its growth will be unnoticed. Whereas you leave the same fish in a pond, it grows bigger and if you give it a chance to grow it in a river, it grows much bigger than it could even imagine. Though scientifically or biologically, this theory isn’t proven (or at least I couldn’t find any references), it has a great message to all of us. Goldfish can do the impossible when it is given sea-like surroundings.

When a goldfish is dropped in a bowl, the maximum it can do is swim around in circles, wait for the feed, rest for some time, and repeat the same… even if the bowl is inside a billionaire mansion. When you leave the same fish in a large tank or pond, what will happen? It will get an opportunity to explore inside the pond like - swim longer, learn from other fishes, protect itself from predators, and try out different natural foods. Naturally, Goldfish gets the required growth both in terms of physical and intellectual. What change did you notice in Goldfish here? ADAPTABILITY. Yes... Adaptability is one of the most important life skills, which can accelerate your career growth. Let me draw some analogy here to address my friend’s million-dollar question.

When your talent is not yielding the deserved growth, it’s time to review your surroundings and your adaptability. Your organization may be the largest, but is the department/environment where you work, a bowl or a pond? If your environment offers you a pond of opportunities, then review your adaptability, come out of the rut, and refresh your habits. But if the environment is like a fishbowl, unlike goldfish… there’s no one to pull you out from the bowl and put you in a pond. It is your career and hence your choices. If you are dreaming big, think big and look for big choices. Once again, Big in this context has nothing to do with the size of the Organization, but with the size of the opportunity.

What are your thoughts? Reflect it through comments.

Masud Aftab

Agile Transformation Leader | Lean , Kanban, Scrum, SAFe

1w

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Nicely articulated Devnag Padavala ! Indeed , human identity and development are intricately shaped by the contemporary canvas of our surroundings, where the physical realm acts as a dynamic theater for our personal journey. Like a river shaping its course, our experiences sculpt the landscape of growth. Our surroundings, akin to a cosmic stage, orchestrate the symphony of our lives, silently scripting the narrative of our identity, beliefs, and actions onto the parchment of existence.

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Ambili Ramkumar

Associate Director | Cognizant - Insurance Digital Transformation, SaaS Implementation

2y

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The truth well written Devnag Padavala ..Growth is multi dimensional ..where learnings, opportunities, engagement, network/relationships, being in the right place at the right time, being visible, valued, ability to deliver, perform, negotiate etc play in synergy.. and the environment is key which drives us forward..

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Prakash Vaidhyanathan

2y

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Well written Nag! Organization, managers, co-workers are all equally important to be a goldfish in a pond!

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Jananaayagan Vetrichelvan

QA Automation Engineer | TestProject | Java | Selenium | Cucumber BDD | TOSCA | API |

2y

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👍

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Kodanda Ram

Associate Vice President - Enterprise at Qualitest

2y

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Very Good one Nag and well explained.!!!

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Goldfish Theory – Are you in a Bowl or Pond? (2024)

FAQs

Goldfish Theory – Are you in a Bowl or Pond? ›

The theory says that if a goldfish is put in a bowl or a small tank, its growth will be unnoticed. Whereas you leave the same fish in a pond, it grows bigger and if you give it a chance to grow it in a river, it grows much bigger than it could even imagine.

Do goldfish mind being in a bowl? ›

The lack of space causes an otherwise healthy fish to become stunted and develop problems with internal organs which can remain unseen but deadly over time. To give your goldfish a happy and long retirement, move him into a nice garden pond or large aquarium where he can grow old gracefully.

What is the goldfish rule? ›

The Goldfish Rule: Love your customers and employees as yourself. Give more than expected.

What is the fish tank theory? ›

At the heart of Fish Tank Theory is the idea that people are influenced by their environment, just as fish are influenced by the conditions in which they live. In the workplace, environmental factors can include the physical space, lighting, noise level, and temperature.

What is the goldfish size theory? ›

A common theory about fish is that their size is somehow based on the volume of water they inhabit, such as a tank, and to a new owner this might seem true. But fish are malleable. They are “intermediate growers” and can continue to pick up mass throughout their life.

How long will a goldfish live in a bowl? ›

Despite their name, goldfish should really not be kept in a “goldfish bowl.” With no room to move around and no filter to maintain the cleanliness of the water, pet goldfish will generally only survive 3 to 9 months–a much shorter lifespan than their 20-year potential in an appropriate pond or aquarium setting.

What is the goldfish controversy? ›

A New York resident claims that Pepperidge Farm misleadingly claims that the beloved snack contains "no artificial flavors or preservatives." MANHATTAN (CN) — Pepperidge Farm, the maker of Goldfish, was slapped with a class action on Friday for its use of citric acid in some varieties of the beloved snack.

What is the goldfish bowl effect? ›

You will always be the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you want more success, spend time with more successful people.

Why is it called the goldfish problem? ›

The first episode of the Disney+ Original series “Moon Knight” is called “The Goldfish Problem” but the definition of the problem isn't revealed until episode two. Some people say that “The Goldfish Problem” is a reference to the main character Steven Grant's short memory, but Goldfish don't have short memories.

What did Nemo meet in the fish tank? ›

Nemo is placed in a fish tank in the office of dentist Philip Sherman in Sydney. He meets the "Tank Gang", led by Gill, a scarred Moorish idol. Sherman plans to give Nemo to his niece, Darla, who killed her previous pet fish.

What does the fish tank symbolize? ›

This is a symbol for emotions that are contained, repressed, or hidden. This signifies that you have repressed your desires and thoughts and had them hidden deep within you. You always keep checking your feelings and action for fear of being socially stigmatized.

Are aquariums moral? ›

If aquariums consider the whole picture, from tank size to species acquisition, it could be as close to ethical as animal rights activists could encourage. Creating sustainable aquariums requires humans to acknowledge the negative effects as well so they can be prevented.

What is the meaning of goldfish memory? ›

A very poor memory. Wiktionary.

What are 5 facts about the goldfish? ›

Top 10 Fun Goldfish Facts for Kids
  • Goldfish aren't all the same size. ...
  • Not all Goldfish are gold. ...
  • Goldfish can't taste anything. ...
  • Having a memory like a goldfish is a good thing. ...
  • Goldfish can live up to 15 years. ...
  • Goldfish don't have a stomach. ...
  • Goldfish don't have any eyelids. ...
  • Goldfish can smell.
Jan 13, 2023

Do goldfish grow bigger in ponds? ›

How big do goldfish get in a pond? Many goldfish living in outdoor ponds can get very large as well. Access to lots of food and space usually allow goldfish to grow a foot long or more. Ponds mixing koi and goldfish and feeding high protein or growth food often leads to goldfish being mistaken for koi.

How do I keep my goldfish happy in a bowl? ›

When it comes to bowl shape, water surface trumps depth, Burke says: "Goldfish need a lot of surface area to help them breathe and get rid of waste." If you have a traditional fishbowl, try filling it only two-thirds of the way for a better air-to-water ratio. water, anywhere between 60 and 75 degrees.

How do you introduce a goldfish to a bowl? ›

Adding the Fish
  1. Take the sealed bag that your fish came in and float it on the surface of your aquarium's water.
  2. Allow the bag to sit for ten minutes, then open the bag and add a cup of your aquarium's water to it. Reseal the bag and let it float again for ten minutes.
  3. Repeat the previous step until the bag is full.

Why do goldfish jump out of the bowl? ›

They are trying to escape a poor environment.

If your fish feels trapped due to poor water quality or another bully in the tank, they may jump to try and find a new home. This is especially true of betta fish who puddle jump during times of drought in the wild. Make sure you have a lid to prevent injury from falls.

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