Aim Low
I’ve actually heard this twice in my life.
The first time was while I was working on a contract. One of the permanent employees said, ‘I always aim low, in that way I’m never disappointed.’
I heard it again today, though, and it got me thinking as usual.
I was drinking coffee in an independent coffee shop after meeting my accountant. I heard a lady say exactly the same words. She was out of my sight, but a few minutes later, she walked past me. She was sweeping the floor.
I can see the appeal of aiming low. No risks, no failure, no anxiety about exams, or fear of loss. The flip side, of course, is no wins, no euphoria, no personal growth, no example set for your children, and coming to an end full of regrets.
We all have a choice, I suppose. Aim low and never be disappointed, or aim high and possibly achieve something worthwhile.
Paul Browning
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12 Comments
You?re right, of course, aiming low can reduce anxiety and the risk of failure. Some days, in some aspects of life, that is okay, in my opinion. Sometimes you need down time. But do it too often, and you risk losing the self-confidence to strive for more.
I?ve also heard management say ?don?t raise expectations?. Heaven forbid you?d have to live up to those expectations! Both that saying, and ?aim low? are rather sad.
I prefer the saying ?aim for the stars and you might reach the moon?. This saying recognizes that you might not achieve everything, but that you?ll get much further by striving for more.
Yes ? there is no need to burden yourself with expecting success at every turn. But if your objective is to strive for success, then you will move ahead over time.
“Aim low” as a motto would be a ticket to failure for anyone wanting to start up a business. I assume everyone reading this blog is aiming high!
I’ve felt like aiming low from time to time and probably have done so. It’s good to have people around you to urge you on.
So, another resolution for the new year. If a good friend is aiming low, we should think about why that might be so, and if a little confidence-building is in order, try to provide it.
I relate this back to an earlier blog post on fear. Fear of failure can lead to someone aiming low ? they?d rather do something they are sure of than risk failure. And lack of self-confidence ? if you doubt your abilities, you might aim low as well. Some people rise above their fear but others don?t or feel they can?t.
Almost worst, though, is if someone aims low because they?ve been told over and over that they can?t do any better. That gets back to what Lawrence said ? we can try to encourage other rather than dragging them down.
I?ll take ?aim high and possibly achieve something worthwhile?. I didn?t quite do that this year; backed off my goals and played it safe. But I?m gearing up again and feeling confident.
Confidence is what it takes to be willing to aim high.
Also a willingness to fail. Especially because most failures are not catastrophic, and are actually the way we learn. With confidence, and a belief that failure is a learning opportunity, you?ll aim even higher 🙂