My dog Iris’s favorite thing in the world is when the peanut butter jar is deemed “empty” and she is allowed to lick out the remnants. Unfortunately, her tongue can only reach part way into the jar. After she gives up, my other dog will snatch the jar and give it her best effort — also in vain.
Aren’t humans sometimes like that, too — trying the same thing someone else attempted and becoming disappointed when we achieve the same unsuccessful result?
Fortunately, humans can also be smarter. Eventually, we cut the jar open and allowed them to remove all evidence of what was inside. By doing something different, we were able to obtain a different outcome.
The next time you face a problem, consider whether you’re doing the equivalent of licking the jar over and over. Maybe there’s a better way than just hoping for success.
