The Daily Think

Is it possible to achieve more when you are on the right path? Is it possible to go further in a car when you know the directions? Is it possible to get more done when you know the instructions for the task at hand? The answer is yes to all three of these questions, so when it comes to other parts of our lives, wouldn’t a limitation help us go further and accomplish the goal at hand?

If this is the premise, then would this argument hold weight: Limit your dreams so you can focus on realistic achievable ones instead? How many people use “Think Big” or “Dream Big” and make it so vague that you don’t actually have a roadmap for success just a slogan? Why do we put an emphasis on pie in the sky when we don’t have the pie crust, filling or pie pans in front of us to make that pie? So far, this article has been 7 straight questions without a statement, but they hopefully achieve one goal and that is to get you out of your comfort level and into the mindset that we don’t question enough, or that we don’t logically think about our big goals in life and instead focus on the lottery winning conclusion. This can be dangerous because when you only see one version of your dream, and it doesn’t live up to it, you become disappointed in yourself despite having succeeded at something that could or should be an accomplishment.

LIMITED DREAMING REALISTIC ROADMAPS
Maybe it’s time we start talking to ourselves in terms of realism. Maybe our peers, parents, and life coaches should give us a dose a reality in a practical world run by logic to tell us we need to limit our scopes and narrow down to what we individually can achieve. George McFly was wrong, “if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything” was bad advice, because your mind can deceive you because it is surrounded by and flooded with sloganry of unrealistic achievement in a world governed by realistic rules of science and chance. The biggest example of limiting your dreams in this world is in the professional sports world which is currently dominated by nepotism, genes, and chance. Thousands of college and G Leaguers and foreign-born players did everything they could for the past year, and still got passed over because their name was not “James.” Three-point barrages wouldn’t exist in the NBA if it weren’t for the genes passed onto a young man whose father played in the NBA before him and introducing him to a world of training and hard work aided by a modest and wealthy childhood to allow him to flourish (Curry for 3!) Athletics aside since it is an easy target, but what would happen to many domestic born kids if their parents dropped them off at a math camp, or a Business Law camp instead of a soccer camp?

What if there were more youth trade programs that gave kids a chance to succeed at a trade at the turn of 18 instead of being dropped into the college without a direction and unlimited options that overwhelm? Again, we find ourselves asking questions and wondering if limitations will actually work and how do I do them in my own life?

LET’S START WITH CAREER LIMITATIONS
Okay, so you’ve decided to give up your dreams of NBA or NFL stardom and are in a job at the bottom and are looking to climb that corporate ladder. What’s the best way to achieve this given your station in the company and in life at that particular time? By limiting your career choices, you can indeed lead to better performance and success in certain contexts. Here are a few reasons why focusing on a narrower set of career options can be beneficial:

1. Specialization: By narrowing down your career choices, you can focus on developing specialized skills and knowledge within a specific field. This specialization can make you more valuable and competitive in that particular area.
2. Clarity and Direction: Having fewer options can provide clarity about your career goals and direction. It allows you to set clear objectives, make informed decisions, and pursue opportunities that align with your interests and strengths.
3. Depth of Expertise: Concentrating on fewer career options enables you to delve deeper into learning and mastering relevant skills. This depth of expertise can enhance your credibility and increase your confidence in your abilities.
4. Efficiency: Focusing on a limited number of career paths can streamline your job search and professional development efforts. You can dedicate your time and resources more efficiently towards achieving your career goals.
5. Networking and Opportunities: Narrowing your focus can also help you build a more targeted network within your chosen industry or field. This network can provide valuable connections, mentorship opportunities, and access to relevant job openings.
   However, it’s important to strike a balance between focus and flexibility. While focusing on a few career options can enhance performance, being too rigid might limit your ability to adapt to changing circumstances or explore new opportunities that could be equally rewarding. Keeping an open (yet limited) mind and periodically reassessing your career goals can help ensure that you’re making informed choices that align with your long-term aspirations.

FOCUS KIDS

Again, this may be another article full of slogans to add to an endless supply of sloganry we are exposed to in the workplace, at an early age, or via media. We are inundated with envy creating posts and imagery that imagine a better life and naturally lead us into wanton dreaming of unrealistic scenarios. The advertising industry has thrived on it for years. As much as we’d love to break free of it, or block our receptors to it, the reality is far more difficult than we think. But if we practice some moderation, consider the logic of any path we choose and just focus our field of vision, perhaps we can achieve more. Your career and job can be unlimited initially and you may never know where you end up, but once you’re there, make a realistic assessment and limit your goals so you can achieve them faster and free yourself up to do the things you really want to do with your time not bound by the extrinsic rewards.