Life-Sized Jenga
Go, go, go. Restlessness propels us to do more, especially as athletes and performers. We relentlessly pursue goals and accomplishments, constantly fueling the fire within. There’s a blend of motivations at play— the desire to push our limits, explore possibilities, and become the best version of ourselves. Yet, alongside this drive, we grapple with the fear of falling short, of not meeting our ideals. We are pulled by both forces—the desire to create and expand, and the fear of not reaching our desired heights.
Fuel Source
Distinguishing between these two drives can be challenging. We often feel the pressure to move forward without truly listening to the voice guiding us. Is it the voice of exploration and possibilities, leading us from a place of freedom and curiosity? Or is it the voice of insecurity and anxiety, nudging us from a place of fear and worry?
When insecurity takes hold, we feel a sense of urgency. We feel compelled to quickly crack the code of success. The fear of failure, being forgotten, or missing our chance engulfs us. Time and circumstances seem like threats, and we mistakenly believe we must shoulder everything on our own. This pressure pushes us to act on impulse. Believing we are not enough as we are, we convince ourselves that doing more is the answer. We stack more on our plate, hoping to cover all bases and prove our worth to ourselves and others.
Stack, Stack, Stack
In times of doubt, when we question our abilities, our brains enter survival mode. It’s perfectly normal to feel inadequate or unsure about something. However, how we deal with these thoughts, emotions, and circumstances is what truly matters. Impulsively, we try to avoid failure by piling more on our plate. We think that by doing so, we can silence the negative voices in our heads and eliminate the possibility of failure. We add more to our training regimens, routines, and future plans. The pressure mounts, leading to stress and overwhelm. And in response, we pile on even more tasks, putting additional pressure and stress on ourselves. But what happens when we overload our plate?
Like a game of Jenga, pulling and stacking pieces without thought, deliberation, or a strong foundation causes the structure to wobble and shake. If this continues, it eventually collapses. The integrity of the structure is lost, and we find ourselves starting over. This is precisely what happens when we try to force progress by doing more and more. Driven by insecurity and fear, we hurriedly stack pieces on top, seeking the best shot at success. Yet, in doing so, we defeat ourselves. This approach typically ends in frustration and discouragement.
We strive to improve but end up wasting time and energy on things that gain no traction. We internalize this process, believing that we are the problem. It diminishes our motivation to start building again because why bother? We think it will just happen again. Falling into this trap repeatedly, we learn a simple truth—when we try to do everything, we end up doing nothing.
Select and Focus
Being intentional in our decisions is crucial. Our desire to improve and expand our performance should guide us to act with clarity and grace, rather than rushing and trying to prove our worth. Instead of imposing ourselves on the situation, we can respond to the pressure by being selective and focusing on the aspects that are within our control. Often, these are already present in our current circumstances, eliminating the need to add extra pieces.
By directing our attention to the pieces in front of us, we can maximize our time and energy through purposeful and gradual movements. This approach allows us to make progress and build something better over time. It’s important to resist the temptation of instant results and instead invest our resources into meaningful actions. By making the most of our circumstances, we can witness the transformative process unfold.
Believing in ourselves and the process becomes a catalyst for our motivation and efforts. We recognize that this deliberate approach leads to abundance. With each step forward, we reinforce our belief in our capabilities, multiplying our drive to continue the journey of growth and improvement.
Final Thoughts
The pressure to push our limits and expand our horizons is an integral part of us. Sometimes, this desire is entangled with our own insecurities and fears of not reaching our desired destination. This is also a part of who we are. The challenge lies in living within this tension, in restraining our rushed impulses and actions. We must choose to respond to our circumstances with intention and purpose. By building a solid foundation and consciously expanding our abilities, we experience steady growth. We avoid the collapses and setbacks that come with a quick-fix mentality. And as we witness the structures we have helped build in our lives, we grow in encouragement and motivation.
