The Question That Kills Minds
Original post and website at nodreamsonlygoals.com
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
How many times have you heard that question? It is a “normal” question.
You know what else is said to be “normal”? Working half of your life away
just getting by. That’s what billions of people do. That’s the “normal”
thing to do. What billions of people perceive as “normal” really isn't
something that should be sought after. But, what makes the question
“What do you want to be when you grow up” so bad?. It’s like being under a
traffic light that is red. This red light makes you think “ I can’t pursue what
I want right now.” A typical traffic light would switch after a couple of
minutes to green, but no, not this one. This one is special. This one you have
to wait till you grow up? When does that happen? You wonder :
“How do I grow up so I can get what I want in life?”
“How do I turn the light green?”
That’s when you hear all the opinions:
“You just have to wait.”
“Finish school first and then you’ll get to do what you want.”
“Pay bills.”
“Hit anyone that disrespects you.”
“Attack those that wear a different colored shirt.”
“Stay away from (insert random title used to categorize and divide us)”
After years and years, you find yourself in a customer service job getting
talked down to and then, people start telling you “You’re a grown-up” as
they stare at you with empty restless eyes and full on eye-bags. You didn’t
want to be an adult, you wanted to be a:
Doctor?
Actor/Actress?
Athlete?
Firefighter?
Astronaut?
Game Designer?
President?
Whatever it was, they said you had to be an adult first. To get what you
wanted. To make that red light turn green. “So what do you want to be
when you grow up” can set up a mental obstacle. You know what happens
when the question isn't asked and the goal is pursued utilizing the right
information? You get:
Gregory Smith — started working on his PhD in mathematics after he graduated from Randolph-Macon College at the age of 13.
Thessalonika Arzu Embry — graduated from Lake County College at the age of 14.
Sho Yano — PhD in molecular genetics and cell biology at age 18
Kathleen Holtz — became a lawyer in California at age 18
Akrit Jaswal — studied medicine before he entered college at age 11
There are many more stories of young individuals moving towards what
they want in life. We have to stop mentally handicapping ourselves and
those around us. To quote my project Pages of Insight “ Getting around
the right people is not only a life changer, but can be a life saver. “ The
green light of life never really turns green. You’re going to have to
maneuver through life’s obstacle and when we get into an accident,
get back up. Instead of wondering what opportunities are going to
occur for you later, make and take intelligent risks now. How are you going
to get to the other side if you never try to cross the street?
