Is life really a race?
Most people honestly think that life is a race.
Here is the basic functioning of this life race
Expect what others think you need to achieve in life
Over plan for the above expectations. None of which are real - remember they are our perception of what others expect from us
Forget about what you are good at and what you are not and run behind these imaginary goals
Strange right?
People run in these imaginary races. Most do not even realize what the actual goal is. Or why they are participating in the race.
Ultimately most of these races are not aligned with their personal interests or skills. And finally, most end up losing them. And those who do win them, the majority do it with luck and some with guidance.
Let's try and understand this with the story of Tortoise and Hare.
To start with - the race between a tortoise and a hare was not a really fair one. A hare's inherent nature is to sprint and move as per its will and fancy. Tortoises prefer to do things at their own pace.
The race between them literally signifies one between a sports car and a bus. Yet, the tortoise won it.
Here are 4 reasons how the slow and steady approach of tortoise helped it in winning the race:
Here is the basic functioning of this life race
Expect what others think you need to achieve in life
Over plan for the above expectations. None of which are real - remember they are our perception of what others expect from us
Forget about what you are good at and what you are not and run behind these imaginary goals
Strange right?
People run in these imaginary races. Most do not even realize what the actual goal is. Or why they are participating in the race.
Ultimately most of these races are not aligned with their personal interests or skills. And finally, most end up losing them. And those who do win them, the majority do it with luck and some with guidance.
Let's try and understand this with the story of Tortoise and Hare.
To start with - the race between a tortoise and a hare was not a really fair one. A hare's inherent nature is to sprint and move as per its will and fancy. Tortoises prefer to do things at their own pace.
The race between them literally signifies one between a sports car and a bus. Yet, the tortoise won it.
Here are 4 reasons how the slow and steady approach of tortoise helped it in winning the race:
1. Self-assessment & planning
The first thing people should do is self-assessment.
Not everyone is good at everything. At the same time, we need not just be good at only one thing.
Identifying your strengths is essential.
Based on these strengths, planning is crucial.
Going back to our example:
The tortoise accounted for its speed.
It also accounted for its ability to swim in the water.
To win the race, the tortoise had a clear plan. Consistently move at the fastest speed possible. On both land and water.
The hare did not do any such planning. It was overconfident on its inherent speed alone to win the race.
Not everyone is good at everything. At the same time, we need not just be good at only one thing.
Identifying your strengths is essential.
Based on these strengths, planning is crucial.
Going back to our example:
The tortoise accounted for its speed.
It also accounted for its ability to swim in the water.
To win the race, the tortoise had a clear plan. Consistently move at the fastest speed possible. On both land and water.
The hare did not do any such planning. It was overconfident on its inherent speed alone to win the race.
2. Never lose sight of your goal.
Most people are good at starting new activities or tasks with great focus.
But most end up losing focus on their goal soon and deviate. We humans have been training ourselves at getting distracted. That's how our human brains have been tuned for generations.
But staying focused on the goal is the only way to hit your targets.
In the story, the tortoise was very focused on its race. It didn't look at filling its stomach with great food available on the route. While the hare was busy eating and later taking a nap.
But most end up losing focus on their goal soon and deviate. We humans have been training ourselves at getting distracted. That's how our human brains have been tuned for generations.
But staying focused on the goal is the only way to hit your targets.
In the story, the tortoise was very focused on its race. It didn't look at filling its stomach with great food available on the route. While the hare was busy eating and later taking a nap.
3. Consistency matters
80% of successful people explain how being consistent helped them achieve their dreams.
Most of the experiments that took hundreds of trials before eventually succeeding.
The tortoise was consistent in its effort.
The hare having superior speed was overconfident. Thereby, it didn't think it necessary to put continuous effort and got distracted.
Most of the experiments that took hundreds of trials before eventually succeeding.
The tortoise was consistent in its effort.
The hare having superior speed was overconfident. Thereby, it didn't think it necessary to put continuous effort and got distracted.
Facing challenges upfront
Not fearing uphill tasks is really important.
Any problem in life is a problem until you work on its solution. And once you arrive at its solution, it no longer is a problem.
The tortoise did not fear the capabilities of the hare. It took the challenge head-on.
Not fearing uphill tasks is really important.
Any problem in life is a problem until you work on its solution. And once you arrive at its solution, it no longer is a problem.
The tortoise did not fear the capabilities of the hare. It took the challenge head-on.
4. Visualization & Self-Motivation
Having a clear vision of your goal gives you clarity of thought. It will help you know your destination better.
Motivating yourself at all times to achieve your goals will act as a catalyst.
The tortoise ignored all the taunts of the hare during the race. It was focused on winning the race. No matter what other animals said, the tortoise motivated itself.
Combining the above 5 points one can win in this life race.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Conclusion - We do not get to chose the races we are in. Most of these races can be fabrications of our own thoughts. But still, winning them matters.
Motivating yourself at all times to achieve your goals will act as a catalyst.
The tortoise ignored all the taunts of the hare during the race. It was focused on winning the race. No matter what other animals said, the tortoise motivated itself.
Combining the above 5 points one can win in this life race.
Slow and steady wins the race.
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