Pernicious lies
While going through a bunch of quotes I came across two that are among the most damaging ideas in circulation.
The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply. -Denis Waitley
If you want it badly enough, there are no limits on what you can achieve. -Brian Tracy
Both are contrary to reality.
Much that is wrong with our society is based on one other the other. Effort does *not* guarantee results. In fact it is quite common to have a situation where no amount of effort will yield useful results.
For example no amount of effort will get you a job doing X unless you have the skills *and* qualifications to do X.
Yes effort applied to developing those skills or learning about X *may* help. But they are not a guarantee. If you are tone deaf, you aren't going to get a job with an orchestra.
But note that the improvement in your chances requires that the effort be exerted in the proper direction. And that no amount of effort will help if you are lacking something key or if what you want just plain isn't available.
This is why "Try harder" or "You aren't trying" are not actually useful criticisms. Rather they are an abdication of responsibility by someone who doesn't care to help or doesn't actually know how to help. Or who just plain hasn't bothered to examine the situation.
Likewise, just because you want something doesn't mean that it is available. And there are *always* limits. Yours, society', reality's.
So this one encourages people to want things and to believe that just because they want it badly, they somehow deserve it. Which damages society i a different way.
In the end, yes it takes effort to do things. But it has to be the right *kind* of effort. And even then it may not be possible or practical.
And wanting is necessary to obtain things. But it's not sufficient.
The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply. -Denis Waitley
If you want it badly enough, there are no limits on what you can achieve. -Brian Tracy
Both are contrary to reality.
Much that is wrong with our society is based on one other the other. Effort does *not* guarantee results. In fact it is quite common to have a situation where no amount of effort will yield useful results.
For example no amount of effort will get you a job doing X unless you have the skills *and* qualifications to do X.
Yes effort applied to developing those skills or learning about X *may* help. But they are not a guarantee. If you are tone deaf, you aren't going to get a job with an orchestra.
But note that the improvement in your chances requires that the effort be exerted in the proper direction. And that no amount of effort will help if you are lacking something key or if what you want just plain isn't available.
This is why "Try harder" or "You aren't trying" are not actually useful criticisms. Rather they are an abdication of responsibility by someone who doesn't care to help or doesn't actually know how to help. Or who just plain hasn't bothered to examine the situation.
Likewise, just because you want something doesn't mean that it is available. And there are *always* limits. Yours, society', reality's.
So this one encourages people to want things and to believe that just because they want it badly, they somehow deserve it. Which damages society i a different way.
In the end, yes it takes effort to do things. But it has to be the right *kind* of effort. And even then it may not be possible or practical.
And wanting is necessary to obtain things. But it's not sufficient.