Many years ago, in a moment of neighborly goodwill, I agreed to care for a neighbor’s son’s pet goldfish while the family went on a weekend vacation.
It seemed harmless enough. I mean, how hard could it be? A fishbowl, a pinch of food, and voilà—caretaking success.
But as the days passed, I noticed the water in the fishbowl growing murky. A neat freak by nature, I couldn’t ignore it. That poor goldfish, I thought, swimming around in what looked like a cloudy soup of neglect.
Clearly, I needed to step in and save the day.
What I lacked in aquarium expertise, I made up for in enthusiasm. I gently scooped the goldfish into a temporary container, cleaned the bowl, filled it with fresh water, and carefully placed the fish back into its pristine home.
Victory! Or so I thought.
Not long after, the fish was floating belly-up, lifeless. My heart sank.
In a panic, I cycled through options:
- Replace the fish and pretend nothing happened? Too risky. (What if they noticed?)
- Replace the fish with two to demonstrate extra remorse. Too obvious.
- Stage a heartfelt funeral? Too dramatic.
Finally, I decided honesty was the best policy.
When my neighbor returned, I engaged in friendly small talk, stalling for as long as I could before delivering the somber news.
After a pause that felt longer than my own lifetime, she replied, “Well, we got the goldfish to teach our son about death. Now seems as good a time as any.”
She was incredibly gracious, and while I offered to replace the fish, the lesson had already been learned—for her son and for me.
Lessons from the Goldfish Debacle
Don’t Assume Expertise Where You Have None.
Whether it’s caring for a goldfish or tackling a new business venture, recognize your limits. Enthusiasm alone won’t keep a fish alive—or sustain a business.
Do Your Homework Before Making Changes.
Just like Google could have taught me the nuances of fishbowl care, research and planning can help avoid costly mistakes in business and life.
When Things Go Wrong, Own It.
Mistakes happen. Whether it’s a flubbed client project or an actual fish disaster, taking responsibility is the foundation of trust and respect.
Apologize Sincerely—and Be Prepared to Make Amends.
A heartfelt apology and willingness to make things right can salvage relationships—whether they’re with neighbors, clients, or coworkers.
Every Situation Is a Learning Opportunity.
Even when you feel like a fish out of water (pun intended), there’s always something to learn. For me, this experience taught humility, honesty, and the importance of preparation.
Perspective Is Everything.
While I was mortified, my neighbor saw the situation differently. Sometimes what feels catastrophic to you might be exactly what someone else needs for growth or closure.
Don’t Be a Perfectionist at Someone Else’s Expense.
My neat-nick tendencies led me to “solve” a problem that didn’t need solving. In business and life, sometimes it’s better to leave things as they are.
So, there you have it. Lessons from the Goldfish Chronicles. Comments welcome as always.
