“If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.” Abraham Maslow
Unfulfilled potential is one of the saddest things to see in another; be they athlete, musician, or other endeavors. And when we see it in ourselves we often fall into melancholy, an ennui sapping our energy because we know we could have been more but chose not to be for whatever reason.
Not making the pros or the Olympics because of injury is one thing, but not making it and knowing that the reason is because you skipped workouts or got kicked off the team for your behavior or other poor choices is a whole other level of regret.
Drinking yourself out of school or cheating your way out of your marriage to a good person. Losing that great job opportunity because of a short term, pleasure focused decision. Being told you have lung cancer from decades of smoking, or that you are losing your kids because you couldn’t control your temper. These are all soul sucking pits of despair that can be mainly avoided if you look and plan ahead.
Plan better. Be better, and be happier overall.