Look Up and Aim Higher

There is a simple idea I once heard from Jordan Peterson. He said, “When you are considering a tough decision, look up.”

Look up to something higher. Look up to God. Look up to what you could become.

The idea is simple, but it stays with you. Most people look down. They look at what is easy, what is comfortable, and what is right in front of them. Looking up requires something more. It requires vision, courage, and desire.

I was reminded of that idea last week when I drove Case, a talented 13-year-old athlete, home after practice. I have coached him for a couple of years and watched him grow into a strong player. On the ride home, he asked a common question. Should a talented high school player choose junior varsity to get more playing time, or choose varsity even if it means less time on the field?

His quick answer was, “JV, because you get to play more.” It was a natural answer. It wasn’t a wrong answer; it was just a short-term answer.

So I challenged him. I said part of your job is to challenge yourself to “Aim higher.”

If your only goal is to play high school sports, then JV makes sense. But if you want more, if you aim higher, then sometimes the right choice is the harder one. Practicing with older and stronger players forces growth. It builds maturity. It stretches your capacity. It prepares you for the future you want, not the comfort you have right now.

But what I realized is this insight wasn’t just for the 13-year-old athlete. It was for you and me as well. Today is the day to “Aim higher.” Set your eyes on who you want to become.

Short-term comfort gives you an easy win. Aiming higher builds a future.

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