We’ve all heard the commercial. Buy a new vehicle and get some kind of 10 year/ 100,000 mile warranty. When I was younger, I remember being curious about how it can be both 10 years and 100,000 miles under warranty only to find out that the warranty is covered until whichever happens first. This makes sense for a business model, but I find this idea of “whichever comes first” creeps into our daily decision making and causes many of us to stop short of our true potential.
These thoughts came to me during a run. I was out for a quick run and I told myself I was going to run for three songs then turn back around. As the third song ended, I looked ahead and saw a side road about a quarter mile ahead. I had the option to reach my goal of running for three songs or to push on for just a bit more. I chose the latter.
The first issue many people face in reaching their potential is not setting a goal. It is very unlikely to grow or even feel accomplished if you don’t have a goal in mind. The second issue is that often people are satisfied with reaching their goal and, once they reach it, stay stagnant.
When given the option of 10 years or 100,000 miles I challenge you to choose whichever comes last. Run to the next street, then one hill more, then finish that song. Get your degree, get the job that you’ve dreamed of, but don’t ever stop striving for the next step. You are bound to fail or come up short sometimes, but its the only way you know you gave it your all. Learn from it, and get after it again. Goals are great motivators, but they are just the beginning. Greatness in school, in work, in relationships, and in life happen when you’re given two options and you choose whichever comes last and whichever takes the most work, reflecting on your journey and constantly preparing for the next challenge.