This week our home has had an additional guest, my six-year-old nephew. He is a great kid, filled with energy, and he and I both have a passionate love of video games. I played more Mario Kart this last week than I have played in a long time.
When we were setting up the game, the usual trash talk ensued. He was overconfident. I don’t like to brag, but I’m kind of a pro at Mario Kart. That kid didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell at beating me. Before entering the race, you get to choose between three levels of play: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Every single time he would choose the hardest tracks and the highest speed.
I respected his choice until I saw how frustrating it became for him. When the race would start, he was excited, but after about 15 seconds that excitement converted into frustration. “This isn’t fair.” “My controller is broken.” “Your car is better.” I heard all the excuses but stayed focused, doing my best to assert my dominance. (My name isn’t Tom, but I’m petty af.)
After a few races, he didn’t want to play anymore. The game wasn’t fun, and he had made it so hard getting better wasn’t a possibility. As we were switching from Mario Kart to playing Uno, smug grin in full effect, I realized something: this is exactly how so many people approach their lives. We choose the wrong level of difficulty for our own personal growth.
I see it in coaching business owners all the time.
Attempting a 75 Hard instead of walking 10,000 steps a day for 30 days.
Making 100 contacts in one day instead of 50 every single week.
Whisking your spouse off on an expensive vacation instead of putting your phone away.
As adults, you would think we know better. We don’t teach kids how to hit baseballs hurling 90-mph pitches at them. We don’t learn to ski starting out on double black diamonds. Shakespeare isn’t ideal when learning to read.
Most of our attempts at growth are just too extreme. Their lack of sustainability creates unnecessary frustration and perceived feelings of failure. We sorely lack the consistency needed to create the results we want.
Life can be a lot like Mario Kart. It has varying degrees of difficulty that require special skills from us to play. But if you’re like my nephew, constantly finding yourself frustrated by your lack of progress or inability to win, maybe there isn’t anything wrong with you. Maybe you’re just choosing a level that’s too difficult for you right now.
live freed,
Jordan
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