When You Give a Mouse a Cookie
In “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” one of my son’s favorite bedtime stories, illustrates a sequence of events unfolded by a small act of kindness. Once the mouse receives the cookie, it leads to a chain of requests and activities, creating a loop that eventually brings a story full circle. The book brilliantly illustrates the concept of cause and effect.
In the real world, whether in the personal or professional space, we encounter these mice running around with constant demands and expectations without reciprocation. They are the masters of the domino effect, turning a crumb of a kind gesture into a banquet of demands that often leaves a trail of delightful disorder in their wake.
They’re Here. They’re There. They’re Everywhere.
Know someone who only calls when they need help without first checking your availability? When they say “Jump!” they expect you to ask “How high?” immediately without giving a fragment of consideration of your capability.
How about whiny Wanda, who can extend each phone conversation to no less than two hours while doing 95% of the talking? Thank God for bluetooth earbuds; you no longer need to ice your neck or schedule yet another appointment…
