No credit card. Takes under a minute.

Login
INSIGHTS3 MIN READ

The Crab Syndrome

Renni

Published on August 1, 2012

Published on Wealthy Affiliate — a platform for building real online businesses with modern training and AI.

There once was a bucket half filled with live crabs. They were climbing all over each other and a few were attempting to reach the top to gain freedom from the confined space.
But every time one of the crabs reached the rim of the basket, another crab would reach out a claw and pull it back in. One crab, named Wayne, was teetering on the rim and managed to fall out just as another crab was preparing to strike. Wayne made it out of the basket! WooHoo!!!
Since you are here at WA, I will assume you are one of the crabs like Wayne, trying to get out of the dreary basket to find your own way to reach freedom and success.
Do you have people in your life who are like the other crabs trying to pull you back into a mundane life? They want you to be just like them. They would not revel in your success. They don’t really want you to get ahead and do everything they can to keep you bound by social norms and a ‘regular’ job. They are naysayers. Please don’t listen to them.
  • The other crabs lack vision.
  • The other crabs don’t like it when you expand your horizons.
  • The other crabs are more comfortable with you where you are -- in the same basket as them.
  • The other crabs don’t understand what you are trying to do. And they never will. So don’t try to explain it yet again. It’s falling on deaf ears.
  • The other crabs don’t have a clue about internet marketing. These are typically the types who think they are great because they can use email, Skype, and have a Facebook page.
  • The other crabs will never see the potential for success beyond their wildest dreams like you do.

So don’t let those crabs pull you down. Stand your ground. I personally try not to even bring it up so I don’t have to listen to how I should get a real job. It’s difficult to argue with those other crabs due to their ignorance (lack of knowledge). So I don’t bother.
I personally don’t like negative people but sometimes they are in your life and you can’t avoid them. When I’m around them, I don't let their negative attitude affect me. I try to get them to be positive about things....then, I’m a dreamer. Okay, I can live with that.
Positive affirmations work wonders for me!
I know one of these days I’ll go so far beyond their wildest dreams that I’ll be able to say "I Told You So!"
Then maybe I’ll recruit them! LOL
If you can relate to this, then you will too!

Share this insight

This conversation is happening inside the community.

Join free to continue it.

The Internet Changed. Now It Is Time to Build Differently.

If this article resonated, the next step is learning how to apply it. Inside Wealthy Affiliate, we break this down into practical steps you can use to build a real online business.

No credit card. Instant access.

2.9M+

Members

190+

Countries Served

20+

Years Online

50K+

Success Stories

The world's most successful affiliate marketing training platform. Join 2.9M+ entrepreneurs building their online business with expert training, tools, and support.

Member Login

© 2005-2026 Wealthy Affiliate
All rights reserved worldwide.

🔒 Trusted by Millions Worldwide

Since 2005, Wealthy Affiliate has been the go-to platform for entrepreneurs looking to build successful online businesses. With industry-leading security, 99.9% uptime, and a proven track record of success, you're in safe hands.