>>"simply"; it's dangerous
The "simply" was meant to emphasize the joke, because it is a truism. I would be an elite athlete in dozens of events if I were simply faster.
>> Perhaps we could do anything we wanted
Honestly, I think this is one of the pernicious platitudes foisted upon young people. I know you said "perhaps," but I'm sorry. I give this a hard "no" unless you are unfortunate enough to aspire only to the things you can achieve.
Simon Biles is a great athlete, but had her dream been to be on the Olympic basketball team and that is where she placed her focus, we would not know her name today.
It's not just that Simon Biles can't do everything she wants, even she can't do anything she wants unless she wants the right things.
>>what other things will you set aside so you can focus on it?
This is the part so many people are missing and I find here again the messaging to kids is often poor.
I frame this (perhaps in violation of actual dictionary definitions) as the difference between a wish and a want.
I just had this discussion over the course of a long hike with the 16yo runner staying with us for the summer. I asked her, "Do you want to be the best runner you can be?" She said, "Yes!" That is, let's face it, the "required" answer kids are taught to regurgitate (see above on be able to do anything they want).
I asked, "If you asked me if I wanted to be the best runner I could be, what do you think I would say?"
"Yes," she said knowing the answer was obvious, but sensing that this was a trick question.
"Actually, no. I love too many other things. To be the best runner I can be, I would have to prioritize more than I'm willing. I want to be a mediocre runner so I can also be a mediocre climber and mediocre skier and excellent husband. If my training program calls for a particular run, but Theresa wants to go for a long easy hike with me that day, I'm going to have to say no to her, but going for a long easy hike with Theresa on the days we can is more important to me that being the best runner I can be."
Then I told her that I would love to have a billion dollars, but I don't want to found a company or work on Wall Street, so that's just a *wish*. I want a genie to give it to me. I don't want to DO anything.
If I say that I *want* to be the best runner I can be, that implies that I want to make the changes in my life that would get me there. And, as it happens, I don't want to make those changes because for me they would incompatible with a balanced, happy life.
All of this was news to her. We had a similar conversation two years ago where I told her that "Winners never quit and quitters never win," was just flat out nonsense.
