Sometimes we tend to think that for achieving extraordinary things we need to take extraordinary actions. Like extraordinary amount of hard work, or doing things much faster than is usual. This doesn’t seem to me to be the optimal approach.
How I think extraordinary things happen is that you need to have an intention – specific enough like for example finding a fulfilling relationship, but not too specific – like to start dating a specific person that you think would be a great partner for you. Or finding a fulfilling job, instead of wanting to get to the company XYZ.
Once you have an intention, what seems to me the best approach is to just play the cards that you have in the best possible way you can. And let things happen. Instead of blindly pursuing a specific goal, consistently reflect on what the situation is, and take the most sensible action that is available to you with the intention on your mind.
Extraordinary things almost always happen by chance. Usually it’s an unlikely combination of many factors that just come out right. But it doesn’t mean it’s random. You can consistently work towards your intention, but what is more important than extraordinary effort is that once the chance comes, you are there ready to seize it. Leverage points. If you are working towards X, it may be the case that consistent hard work will take you there let’s say in three years. But if your mind is open, you’re exposing yourself to these opportunities and you are frequently re-evaluating the situation you are finding yourself in, eventually the opportunity comes and it will cut the three years to one. These opportunities tend to have a much greater impact than an extraordinarily hard work.
Or to refine this idea further – sometimes it makes sense to apply extraordinary effort, but you probably won’t be able to keep it up long term. So pick your battles wisely and always be on the lookout for leverage point situations. If one comes, seize the opportunity and give it what you can. If you succeed, it will pay off much more than a long extraordinary, but unreflective work.
Sometimes playing the cards you have consists of finding out what cards you actually have. Sometimes it consists of getting new cards. It never works, though, to play the cards you don’t have, even though you know you need them.