Think Different & Be Different: Why Are Pancakes Round?
Who determined that pancakes have to be round? Seriously – have you ever thought about that, or do you make them round just because everyone else does? I certainly realize that pouring the batter into a circular shape is much easier than making a pancake into an octagon, and mom probably raised you on circular pancakes, but does that necessarily mean that pancakes must continue to be round? Now, what are the other ‘pancakes’ in your life that you consciously (or unconsciously) continue to do simply because the majority, the culture, or even your parents do it that way? Or, do you persist in doing these ‘pancakes’ simply because they are easier? And do you realize that the accomplishment of your dreams and goals often entails making ‘pancakes’ a different way?
I know, the analogy of a pancake seems silly, right? Actually, it has incredible application to our goals and dreams in life. First of all, why do we make pancakes into a circular shape:
1) Due to gravity and the laws of physics, pouring batter onto a grill or pan will naturally result in a relatively circular shape – thus, we do what is natural.
2) We each are busy and often do not have the time it would require to make a pancake into any other (more difficult) shape.
3) Anything other than the usual circular shape would require creativity on our part – and heaven forbid using brain power on such a menial task.
4) Habitually, we often do what we see others do, and if mom raised us on round pancakes, round they will continue to be.
5) And finally, let’s be honest, making pancakes in a circular shape requires no additional effort on our part.
Thus, pancakes continue to be made in a circular shape because people simply do what is natural or expected, they are unwilling to put in the time or effort required to do things differently, they gravitate to things that are easy rather than difficult, they become content with commonality and resist creativity, and they persist in comfortable habits instead of changing for the better. It’s just a pancake, right? No, this has nothing to do with pancakes actually; it has everything to do with the mentality, attributes, and actions necessary in order to accomplish any goal or dream in life!
We literally can become and accomplish anything; however, most often our potential is never reached because of a lack of belief, unwillingness to attempt, and a detrimental culturally engrained mentality that must be eliminated. This unfortunate mentality is made evident in the masses who become content with mediocrity, believe that success is dictated by circumstance, persist in idle habits, conform to others’ expectations, never develop the ability to be creative and think independently, and continually fail to put forth the effort success requires. As clichéish as it sounds, they are not creative or ‘think outside the box.’ Said in other terms, these people keep making ‘pancakes’ that are round simply because it is natural, easier, habitual, expected, and requires no additional effort.
In fact, the ability to question why ‘pancakes’ are round is an attribute that is vital to our success. The act of questioning things, in this sense, is certainly not defined in terms of someone being difficult, challenging, or argumentative. Rather, to properly question things should suggest that one thinks differently, becomes inquisitive, seeks changes, thinks independently, and uses creativity. Questioning things and thinking differently invokes wondering and pondering which inspires improvement, adjustment, progress, imaginativeness, problem solving, discoveries, new and different ideas, and is the seedbed for achievement.
So, what are your personal ‘pancakes’ in life? Remember that there is nothing necessarily wrong with ‘pancakes’ that are round; but, realize that it is these ‘pancakes’ – the mentality, attributes, and actions – that are usually the reason why our goals and dreams are never realized. Success depends upon us thinking different, being different, and making pancakes that are not round!
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