Do Less to Do More

I am going to be an internationally renowned physicist, author, biologist, powerlifting champion, and gardener with a flair for airplane wing acrobatics.

No, you aren’t. You are going to be mediocre at all of those things if you try. The reality of the world we live in is that we only get to be good at a surprisingly small number of things. Be a good spouse, parent, and maybe pursue one or two other things. That’s it.

But what does that mean for us?

It means, like all adults, we have to move out of the land of possibility and dedicate ourselves to something—and do it well. We all know that we celebrate greatness. Bob Ross was famous because he deeply loved and was inspired by his dedication to his craft. Monty Don inspires others through his deep dedication and love for his art. Legendary scientists like Einstein are beloved because of their dedication to science. My wife recently introduced me to a man named Amaury Guichon, an internet sensation known for his dedication to chocolate sculptures and his flair for art and building.

The world does not reward mediocrity in four fields—it rewards experience and expertise in one or two.

It is hard on some of us, because to fully opt in to one dream is to close the door—at least for a long time—on other dreams. We think, “What if I am wrong?” and we stall, or we try to walk two diverging paths at the same time and find we cannot gain traction on either of them. The reality is that we must choose to do less, to enable ourselves to do more. Take action more aggressively in the field or pursuit you believe in most, and let the other distractions fall by the wayside. Even the greatest of us can’t be all things.

Pick your pursuit, and follow it aggressively. Don’t try to walk too many paths at once.