"Es mejor hacer algo que sabes que puedes hacer pero que la mayoría de la gente piensa que es difícil que hacer algo que crees que puedes hacer pero que la mayoría de la gente piensa que es duro"
Quote meaning
The essence of this quote is all about playing to your strengths and focusing on tasks where you have a proven track record, even if others see them as challenging. It’s smarter to tackle something you’re skilled at but others find tough, rather than trying to prove yourself with something you’re uncertain about.
To put this in context, imagine you’re in the workplace, perhaps during a team project. This insight might be shared during a brainstorming session where you’re deciding who should take on what roles. It’s practical advice that nudges you to pick tasks where you're confident and competent, rather than taking on a challenge purely to impress others or yourself.
Let's take a real-life example. Picture a software developer named Sarah. She’s amazing at coding complex algorithms, something that many of her colleagues find daunting. However, Sarah isn’t as confident when it comes to project management, a role she thinks she might handle but isn't sure about. When a big project comes up, she should volunteer to work on the coding part. Why? Because coding, while tough for others, is her bread and butter. She can deliver high-quality work quickly and efficiently. On the flip side, stepping into project management might stretch her thin and expose the project to higher risks due to her inexperience.
How do you apply this wisdom in your life? First, identify what you're good at—your core strengths. Be honest with yourself. What tasks can you do with your eyes closed, but others struggle with? Lean into these tasks. Don’t chase after roles or challenges just because they seem prestigious or because you have a vague confidence you can handle them. It’s about being strategic and leveraging your proven abilities.
Imagine you're a student. You’re stellar at writing essays but only so-so at oral presentations. There’s a group project where someone needs to write a report and another person needs to present it. Naturally, you should volunteer for the writing part. Sure, you might want to push yourself out of your comfort zone and practice your public speaking, but it’s wiser to guarantee the group’s success with your solid essay skills. You wouldn’t want to risk the group’s grade on an uncertain performance.
Let’s say you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, hashing this out. You’d probably share a laugh over times when you bit off more than you could chew. Maybe you’d talk about that time you tried to impress your boss by taking on a massive project outside your expertise—only for it to backfire. These moments highlight the importance of sticking to what you know you can do well, especially when it’s something others find tough.
In the end, it’s all about being smart and playing the game wisely. Recognize your strengths, don’t shy away from them. Let others be impressed by how effortlessly you handle tasks they find challenging. It’s not about avoiding growth, but about ensuring you’re growing in areas where you’ve already got a strong foundation. That’s how you build trust, reliability, and eventually, success.
To put this in context, imagine you’re in the workplace, perhaps during a team project. This insight might be shared during a brainstorming session where you’re deciding who should take on what roles. It’s practical advice that nudges you to pick tasks where you're confident and competent, rather than taking on a challenge purely to impress others or yourself.
Let's take a real-life example. Picture a software developer named Sarah. She’s amazing at coding complex algorithms, something that many of her colleagues find daunting. However, Sarah isn’t as confident when it comes to project management, a role she thinks she might handle but isn't sure about. When a big project comes up, she should volunteer to work on the coding part. Why? Because coding, while tough for others, is her bread and butter. She can deliver high-quality work quickly and efficiently. On the flip side, stepping into project management might stretch her thin and expose the project to higher risks due to her inexperience.
How do you apply this wisdom in your life? First, identify what you're good at—your core strengths. Be honest with yourself. What tasks can you do with your eyes closed, but others struggle with? Lean into these tasks. Don’t chase after roles or challenges just because they seem prestigious or because you have a vague confidence you can handle them. It’s about being strategic and leveraging your proven abilities.
Imagine you're a student. You’re stellar at writing essays but only so-so at oral presentations. There’s a group project where someone needs to write a report and another person needs to present it. Naturally, you should volunteer for the writing part. Sure, you might want to push yourself out of your comfort zone and practice your public speaking, but it’s wiser to guarantee the group’s success with your solid essay skills. You wouldn’t want to risk the group’s grade on an uncertain performance.
Let’s say you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, hashing this out. You’d probably share a laugh over times when you bit off more than you could chew. Maybe you’d talk about that time you tried to impress your boss by taking on a massive project outside your expertise—only for it to backfire. These moments highlight the importance of sticking to what you know you can do well, especially when it’s something others find tough.
In the end, it’s all about being smart and playing the game wisely. Recognize your strengths, don’t shy away from them. Let others be impressed by how effortlessly you handle tasks they find challenging. It’s not about avoiding growth, but about ensuring you’re growing in areas where you’ve already got a strong foundation. That’s how you build trust, reliability, and eventually, success.
Related tags
Achievement Challenge Confidence Determination Mindset Motivation Perception Perseverance Personal growth Potential Self-belief Skills Success
MORE QUOTES BY Paul Graham
FEATURED QUOTES