[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 33 – The Eight Monkeys

When we do something, whether it be for fitness or for any aspect of our lives, do we really know why we do it? Is there sound reasoning behind the actions that we take or is it just the “they say” mentality kicking in. Here’s a little parable about how things that we do that are “carved in stone” may just have gotten started.

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Put eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading to a bunch of
bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling. Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.

One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious, but, undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder. All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why. However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.

A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him. This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.

One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why. "AND THAT'S HOW POLICIES GET ESTABLISHED."

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I guess what I am trying to say is, never be afraid to try something new and don’t worry about what others will say. If you get your butt kicked, so be it. Some of the long held “policies” of training are being questioned every day and many are proven to be wrong. Go for what works for you and forget about the other monkeys. Beat off the people who would try to prevent you from being your best, unless they have good, sound advice based on knowledge and understanding and not on what has always been done. Climb the ladder! Grab the banana!

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler