Pressing into the Unknown

What do you care about so much that you will do anything that MIGHT help?

Acceptance to top universities, participating in the Olympics, being nominated for a Nobel prize, securing a position on a prestigious board, winning a large contract—these rewards and many like them are given to those who ‘merit’ them. Enticing as these prizes may be, there is no straightforward path to these heights of success; no clear and consistent how-to guide for achieving this ‘merit.’ Certainly some of the factors can be identified and are well known: academic performance, personal relationships, relevant experience, family and racial background, and physical health all contribute to success—but none of these actually cause success. Instead, these factors and many others work together in unknown and variable ways in the selection process for each prize.

I’m interested by the fact that in this type of competition, the lack of a consistent and clear path doesn’t necessarily halt our ambitions. Quite the opposite, in fact -- it encourages those who are determined to do anything that MIGHT make a difference. Aspiring Olympians (for example) will reorient their entire lives in case that one extra thing MIGHT give them an edge.

What do you care about so much that you will do anything that MIGHT help? What is the difference between the things in your life that—despite all the unknowns—get a blank check, and everything else? I’ve been wrestling with these questions recently and would love to hear from you!