Limitless Monday: Seek Bigger And Better

Limitless Monday – Seek bigger and better

When I was growing up I was a big fan of the Soap Opera Dallas. JR Ewing was my role model. In case you were unlucky enough to miss out on this glorious show, I will summarize it for you. The plot revolves around a wealthy oil family living in, you guessed it, Dallas. The two main characters are the brothers, Bobby and JR (JR is in the picture above). Bobby was the ethical sibling and JR unscrupulous.

 

 

One episode in particular has stayed with me for 40 years, and serves as a life lesson in many aspects of my life. In this episode an attractive consultant approaches JR and explains to him that he should be looking beyond Dallas; his focus must be international she suggests. As soon as JR turns his attention to the international stage, suddenly all his local rivals, of which he has many, seem small fry. His previous squabbles now appear trivial.

 

 

It is like the young adult who leaves home to move to the big city. The student who goes to college, the wannabe adventurer who packs her bags and travels the world. When they return to their old environments, it is never the same. They have grown out of their old ‘friends’, their familiar hangouts, and their previous jobs. Their eyes have been opened to the endless opportunities outside the claustrophobic bubble they had once occupied.

 

 

The world is so much bigger when you step beyond your comfort zone. Letting go of your hang ups. You tend not to worry about the trivial aspects of life which once drove you to despair. In fact, you don’t worry much at all. You now find that taking action and understanding you can’t control uncertainty are a healthier alternative to worry.

 

 

I am not saying forget your roots; I am saying seek bigger and better.

 

 

By focusing on the world outside your immediate bubble, you are allowing yourself to grow, your mind to expand, your skills to flourish. You become a better person, and the people you left behind will be inspired by you when they see your transformation.

 

 

Take a jump into the unknown; that’s where the magic happens. Travel, set your sights on a better job, set up your own business, go to college, live in an overseas city like Tokyo, Sydney, New York, San Francisco, London, even Moscow! Do something, anything to mix with a new crowd of people and enjoy new experiences.

 

 

Don’t worry about sinking. You won’t. The biggest risk is returning to your roots and settling back into old habits and routines. That’s a missed opportunity. Today kick your comfort zone in the pants and begin looking beyond your immediate vicinity. When you feel yourself worrying, think about the bigger picture. Is the matter you are worrying about really that significant that you wish to devote precious time to it, or does it represent an opportunity for action? Take a lesson from the singer Pitbull, “I am international baby!”

 

 

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Larry Hagman as JR Ewing in Dallas.  Image Credit – jean pierre gallot lic by CC