Short Steps, Long Vision
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Hey friend, Of all the people to drop a piece of wisdom on me this week, I wasn’t expecting it to be Pitbull. Yes, Mr. Worldwide himself. I came across a video where he said: “Paso corto, vista larga.” Small steps, long vision. And while it helped me learn new spanish words, it struck me. We are awful at long-term thinking. Psychologists call it Temporal Discounting—our tendency to prioritise short-term rewards over future gains. It’s why we choose junk food over meal prepping, why we skip workouts, and why we spend hours scrolling instead of sleeping. It’s also why young athletes obsess over the next game, the next tournament, the next big moment—convinced that this is the defining event of their career. But success doesn’t work like that. We overestimate the importance of today and underestimate the power of consistency. I see this all the time in sports. Parents, coaches, and athletes get so emotionally invested in youth competitions, as if dominating at 15 is the pinnacle of achievement. They chase immediate success at the cost of long-term development. And that’s the trap. The mind craves instant validation—the dopamine hit of winning now, the comfort of thinking short-term. But the reality? Would you rather be a dominant 15-year-old with a junior title to your name? Or would you rather win a Grand Slam, sign a professional contract, or lift the Premier League trophy? Because I can tell you this: In professional sports, no one cares who was good at 16. They only care about what you can do now. The mistake people make isn’t just focusing on the present—it’s believing that the present is everything. The antidote? Long-term vision. The ability to resist short-term gratification in favour of something bigger. Can you forgo success right now, being in the limelight today. For the success you want in the future. Many can’t today. Which creates a huge opportunity. Focus on the big goal down the road. Small steps, long vision. Paso corto, vista larga. Quote I likedNo one ever tells you that bravery feels like fear. Let that one sink in. Recommendation for youYoutube Premium. There’s many subscriptions that I am going to be getting rid of but this isn’t one of them. My viewing experience is unmatched. PodcastI have a podcast that helps you build a stronger mind to take on life. Like me, it's a work in progress. Latest Episode Subscribe to the podcast here. (p.s. If you can subscribe on Youtube that would be amazing.) I'll see you later, Lewis Try my Mindset app for sport here |
The Game Plan
Take on the next week with lessons, perspectives, or insights for your mindset.
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