The Nuance of Personal Growth

Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about which is better, being a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. In the personal development space, you often hear teachers encourage you to surround yourself with folks who are performing at a higher level. I've definitely seen the merit to this advice and I've seen the potential drawbacks. When it comes to our growth, one of the most important things that motivates and sustains action is self-efficacy, our belief that we can do something which is often first developed by experiencing small successes.

And if we only surround ourself with people who have reached a much higher level of expertise, it may be discouraging. Instead of inspiring us to new heights, they can make us feel that the task is insurmountable. Goal setting research by Edwin Locke supports this as well, suggesting that a goal must feel attainable, which is connected to the difficulty of the goal and our self-efficacy in order for us to feel sustained motivation towards that goal. Since the overwhelming narrative still seems to be only surround yourself with the best. In other words, be a small fish in a big pond, I just want it to add some nuance to that.

It's suggesting that it's not only okay, but potentially in the best interests of your overall growth to spend time as a big fish in a small pond. This could be especially true if you've struggled with self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. As your self-efficacy grows, you can explore other settings that challenge you in new ways. I hope this helps as you navigate your growth journey. And may we be the best fish that we can be.

Thank you so much for your practice. Let's settle in for today's meditation.