Yeah, But...

You know what I love about kids? I mean, besides how weird they are (because, let's face it...kids are really freaking weird). I love how recklessly ambitious their aspirations are. How many of us, when we were younger, wanted to be astronauts, or presidents, or rock stars? Growing up, I was torn between being a Marine Biologist/mermaid, and a velociraptor (thanks Spielberg). Then, as adulthood slowly and insidiously set in, I found that accomplishing either of these dreams seemed pretty far off.

Of course, pragmatism isn't a thing kids are savvy to when constructing their career goals in Kindergarten, but does that mean our spark for our wildest dreams should be smothered in their cribs? Why can't many of us combine elements of our desires with the wisdom of experience to create the momentum to get us to the stars? Y'know, like Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Truth is, I'm twenty-nine, a two-time college drop out, and I have a history of fifteen lower-wage jobs filling my resume. I'm sure you'd hardly be surprised if I told you that none of those jobs has anything to do with being a dinosaur or dolphin-whisperer.

Okay, I'm not saying everyone who has ever dreamed big has fallen short of themselves, nor am I lamenting about where I'm at in life. However, I have noticed how often I stand in my own way. It's a habit so innocuous I miss it just about every time I use it.

I was talking with a friend of mine who I've known since I was ten years old. She told me she was interested in freelance writing, and after expressing how excited I was for her to start this venture, I admitted, "I thought about doing that before, but-" There! Right there, did you see it? How many of you would respond to "You can achieve more than you realize" with, "yeah, but..." "Hey, I should work out more!"

"Yeah, but..."

Now, I know our friend here could come in handy. If someone recommends you clean the dirt from under your toe nails with a machete, I'm sure "Yeah, but" could be a very useful line in segueing the argument in favor of a more appropriate toenail cleaning apparatus. I suppose it could be reasonable in trying to convince some of us that we aren't likely to evolve into feather-covered, sickle-clawed, maniacal killers with a thirst for

protoceratopsian blood, or whatever. Sigh. The problem comes into play when "Yeah but" stands in to guard the borders of our too-small comfort zones like Trumps wall. Why shouldn't I at least look into freelance writing as a job? Many people do it, it's not like I'm asking to be sent to Mars, here. When did totally achievable goals get pushed out the Gates of Ambition by Sir Yeah-Buts-a-lot?

So, next time you have a knee-jerk, "Yeah, but" reaction, I want to you to see it. Recognize it. Question it. Then jump that wall like El Cartel is after your ass, and explore all that sweet, sweet potential. Within reason, of course.