The Elephant and the Twig

by Geoff Thompson

Have you ever heard the story of The Elephant and The Twig? In India they train obedience in young elephants (to stop them from escaping) by tying them to a huge immovable object, like a tree, when they are still very young. The tree is so large that no matter how hard the baby elephant pulls and tugs it cannot break free. This develops what is known as ‘learned helplessness’ in the creature. After trying so hard and for so long to break the hold, only to be thwarted time and again, it eventually believes that, no matter what it does, it cannot escape. Ultimately, as a fully-grown adult weighing several tons, they can tie it to a twig and it won’t escape, in fact it won’t even try.

Do you ever feel like this? That you are tied to an immovable object and can’t break free? That you couldn’t possibly give that presentation at work, that you would never be able to go it alone in business, or that you have to remain stuck in a social and lifestyle rut as there is no other alternative? Rubbish! This book shows you that, when it comes down to it, what ties you and prevents you from realising your potential is only a ‘twig’. Geoff Thompson, renowned martial artist and author of Watch My Back, guides you through the process of breaking the negative thinking that binds us all and helps you to take the plunge and properly take on life.

Genres: Self Help, Personal Development, Nonfiction

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2000

About the author

Geoff Thompson is a BAFTA-winning writer, filmmaker, spiritual teacher, and martial artist with a prolific career spanning multiple disciplines. He has authored books on self-help, spirituality, self-defense, and martial arts, while also writing for film and stage.
Beginning as a martial artist, Thompson specialized in reality-based self-defense, drawing from his experiences as a nightclub doorman. He co-founded the British Combat Association and taught seminars internationally, including for Chuck Norris. His self-defense innovations include "The Wall" and "The Fence," practical techniques for real-world confrontations.
His transition into filmmaking brought critical acclaim. His short film Bouncer (2002), starring Ray Winstone, earned a BAFTA nomination, and Brown Paper Bag (2003), inspired by his brother’s struggles with alcoholism, won the BAFTA for Best Short Film. He later wrote the feature Clubbed (2008), based on his autobiography Watch My Back, as well as The Pyramid Texts (2015) and Romans (2017), starring Orlando Bloom.
Beyond martial arts and filmmaking, Thompson has established himself as a spiritual teacher and self-help author. His works, including The Divine CEO and Live Your Dreams, focus on personal transformation and overcoming fear. He has delivered a TED Talk on conquering fear and hosted a popular podcast on spiritual growth.
In 2020, he released his autobiography Notes from a Factory Floor, chronicling his journey from factory worker to internationally recognized author and teacher. Through his writing, coaching, and filmmaking, Thompson continues to inspire others in the pursuit of self-improvement and personal mastery.

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

In India, young elephants are trained in obedience by being tied to an immovable object like a tree. No matter how hard the baby elephant pulls it cannot break free, and eventually, after trying to break away and being thwarted time and again, it believes that it cannot escape, no matter what it does. Ultimately, a fully-grown adult weighing several tons can be tied to a twig and won’t even try to escape.

Is it how you want to live your life? Never realising your strengths and your true potential?
This book tries to wake you up. You don't need to stay stuck in your everyday routine and lifestyle, if you feel trapped. You are stronger and cleverer than this.

[Debbie Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to succeed you just have to get up off your bum and work harder than you’ve ever worked before. That’s the message of this book. Simple advice in plain terms but sometimes that’s what you need. And for those that don’t have time to read this book and I know there’s lots of you, here’s the fourteen golden rules for success and happiness:

1. We are all dying so now is the time to act.
2. You are your own god.
3. You are what you think. And this is a very important one.
4. How to get the energy for the journey.
5. The power is yours alone. I was very glad to be reminded of this.
6. If your mind is not right, change it for one that is.
7. You need a goal to shoot at.
8. It’s tenacity that determines capacity. Another very important point with examples.
9. Use your time. I’m not bad at this so I didn’t get much from this rule.
10. Develop your talent. Just work and keep on working at what you love.
11. The secret of necessity and growth.
12. Integrity (the master rule)
13. The hidden power of books. I’m across this one, reading a book a week
14. Handling criticism

In regards to this last rule Thompson writes, “When you understand people, which I do, you understand that aggression and anger and ‘mud flinging’ are not the signs of maturity or wisdom, not the signs of bravery or strength but the signs of weakness and fear and insecurity. When you understand this, you do not feel the need to reply, or to feel threatened or damaged. You feel the urge to do nothing other than ignore what is being said and move on." Good advice and not just the last rule.

[Janette Baillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 27, in a dead end job which I hated, has overweight, unfit, broke and generally not in a good place.
It really helped me to re-evaluate my life, look at what I actually wanted, and gave me the courage to change my life for the better.
It encourages you to make small, realistic goals, not to listen to negativity and to believe in yourself. Definitely worth a read, I always refer back to it when I’m feeling lost or a bit depressed. It’s one of the best self help books I’ve ever purchased. 100% recommend

[Carlos Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that changed my life. I was sat in a friends apartment in Wigan in 2003 complaining about my life and my friend (Johnno) gave me this book and said 'read it' and I read it in a day, six months later I was at university in Wales which went onto change my life even more.

There are a million self-help books out there but probably this is the only one that has been written by an ex-doorman in one of the UK's most violent cities. A truly inspirational read and comes with my full recommendation.

[Niko Ale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book about being a better you 10/10 recommended for everyone

[Fred Leland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read

This was a very well written isobar atonal book that you can apply to your life both personal and professional.

[Marie]

I'll have to read this again as can't remember a thing about it.