Dear Me:
Don’t try to be the best in the world.
You’ve read those self-improvement books urging you to hunker down and be the best in the world at something. So you start.
But it’s intimidating. You start to compare yourself to everyone. And since you’re just beginning, it looks like you are, possibly, the worst in the world. Or at least, the worst of the people trying to be the best in the world.
Remember those other books. The ones that describe the studies that show if you focus on the goal often you’ll find it a lot harder to get there.
Let’s forget about the real world. Let’s just think about your world. The one closest to you and that affects you the most. The one you can affect the most. Instead of aiming at the whole world, just plan to do something awesome and unique in Austin (or wherever you are). That way it seems more achievable and there’s not any competition or anyone to compare yourself to. The work will undoubtedly be more enjoyable.
And honestly, it’s probably pretty close the same road you would travel to be the best in the world. World doesn’t mean world earth. Just the domain you pick. Which can be whatever size or shape you choose.
Maybe that’s what the books were talking about?