Cow Tipping (Achievement Nudge about a Faulty Premise)

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Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by Bill Truby

Don’t believe everything you hear. Even more importantly, don’t get sucked into wasting energy on things that just aren’t valid or true!

Achieve More by Not Getting Sucked Into a Faulty Premise

Have you heard of “cow tipping”? It is the supposed practice of a person sneaking up on an unsuspecting, sleeping cow…and tipping it over. But, here’s the truth: Cow tipping isn’t possible.

People have conducted studies, taking the time and energy to calculate the physics of it. And the calculations prove that it would take up to five people to tip a cow, depending on its size. One person just isn’t going to do it. The mass of a cow is simply a lot more than one human can handle.

But you don’t have to spend the time and energy it takes to calculate the improbability of tipping a cow. There is an easier way. Look at the premise. Cows don’t sleep standing up! Hellllooooo……. (A modern way of saying a word from the 80’s – “Duh!!”)

Having been raised on a cattle farm, I know this to be true. I saw it. The stereotypical, contented cow lies down, often slightly on its left side; eyes closed, chewing its cud, peacefully sleeping in a pasture of grass. And a cow lying down is not going to be tipped. Cow tipping is a myth. Simple. Conclusive. Done!

A basic premise we teach is about the importance of perspective: “Belief determines attitude and action.” It follows: A valid belief or perspective leads to positive attitude and behavior. But a faulty premise leads to wasted time and energy. And when we are victim of a faulty premise, we don’t notice our wasted energy until it’s…well…wasted!

I’ve seen entrepreneurs spend a huge amount of resources to build a business, only to fail because of a faulty belief. They had a whim of what they THOUGHT people would buy. But they didn’t conduct preliminary market research to tell them the truth. I’ve seen energy wasted on training, when discipline was needed. I’ve seen energy wasted on discipline, when training was needed.

I’ve seen people live with hurt or emotional pain for years because of a meaning they placed on someone else’s actions, meaning that wasn’t what the other person intended at all. I’ve seen fear in people who didn’t need to fear, jealousy in people who didn’t need to be jealous…even criticism in people who had no right to criticize – all from faulty premises.

A faulty premise, a misguided perspective, an invalid belief…all can make you unproductive, lessen your profitability, weaken your leadership and live a stressful life. It wastes your time and drains your energy. Instead of living like that, train yourself to start at the nucleus of anything you consider: What is the truth about this? What are the givens? What is real? What is valid? Is this even possible? Always start by validating the premise. That’s your Nudge – a gift to free you from unnecessary burdens caused by faulty beliefs.

Oh…and by the way…we farm kids had a lot more enriching activities we engaged in than that foolish legend of cow tipping. Remind me to tell you sometime about challenging my cousins to climb the manure pile to see who could get to the highest point before dropping below the hardened crust.

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This article is part of our ongoing Achievement Nudge series—short, witty, and often inspirational articles to spark your personal and professional growth. Explore more nudges on our blog, or sign up for our weekly Nudge and News email. Each edition includes an Achievement Nudge plus leadership, professional development, and personal growth videos and articles to keep you inspired and on track.

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