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What is the biggest problem young Americans face today? It’s not war, diabetes, or too much time in front of the TV.

It is the abundance of opportunity.

We don’t lack opportunity in America; we lack the ability to know how to decide what’s the best opportunity for us and to feel secure that we picked the right one. There is too much to choose!

The feeling of wanting to do everything and not accomplishing anything is plaguing our generation. The curse of the Kardashians who have their own TV show, clothing line, music albums, millions in the bank, and access to the best parties in the world gives hope to many Millennials that they, too, can do the same.

I am not saying you can’t have everything one day. However, we are trying to have everything at the beginning. The Greats all focused and did one thing. They focused and accomplished one thing and became the best at it. From Steve Jobs to Lebron James, from Oprah to Ellen, they all focused and became the best in their industry. It led them to have anything and everything they wanted.

How do you pick one thing when you are offered and have the ability to do so many? This is a major problem because it causes lack of focus, depression, and does not produce the most innovative, creative or helpful products.

Americans don’t lack opportunity; they lack the focus and ability to decide what door of opportunity to walk through. Agree or disagree? What do you think is the biggest problem young American face? As always…

Dream BIG,

Ryan

Ryan Avery

Author Ryan Avery

Hi, my name is Ryan Avery! Every Sunday I share the "notes" I use to build my keynotes. They are personal stories and tangible strategies we can use to improve the way we communicate at work, at home and with ourselves.

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Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Curtis Yungen says:

    Quite an interesting post, Ryan.

    I agree that there are plentiful opportunities and have definitely experienced the maze of choices and uncertainty myself. I think that in addition to the abundance of opportunity, we are also weighed down by fear and doubt. I know in the past, I’ve been inspired to take a certain direction, but I never really buckled down and started because on a deeper level, I doubted my ability to succeed in the future.

    To me, it’s when we think, “I don’t have any great ideas,” or “I’m not ready; I don’t know enough,” or “I lack experience; I have no credentials,” that’s what really stops many of us from focusing on an opportunity and instead keeps our ideas and dreams perpetually in the future.

  • Ryan Avery says:

    Thanks Curtis! Now to nudge you a little more towards one of your dreams… where are you at with your March speaking gig 🙂 If you don’t have one in place yet, take three hours this week to call schools and set it up! You got one in February and April so I know you can land one in March! Keep up the great work Curtis!

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