Trajectory > Postioning

Trajectory is more important than positioning.

Let’s dive right in.

What is Trajectory? What is Positioning?

As we always do, from scratch.

What is position? Per definition,

Position is the place where something or someone can be located at.

It is where you are currently at in life, whether it is you in your parent’s bedroom (physical position), a 1000 bucks to your name (financial position) or being confused and anxious about school/work (mental position).

All these positions details where you are at life using different mediums of measure, yes?

Now, trajectory.

Again, as Oxford says:

The path followed by a particle flying (or) an object moving under the action of given forces.

In simpler terms, it tells us the path that the object is gonna take, and also the end destination of the object, if said object continues on the same path.

Now that the physics lessons are over, let me get to the point.

‘Where will you be?’

We are so much more focused on our position than our trajectory.

Story time.

Let us take two people: Jack and John.

Jack is 50 kgs and has just joined the gym. He wants to bulk up but is timid and anxious after seeing all the big, screaming, testosterone-spitting dudes around him, one of those guys being our pal John.

John is a big, burly man: intimidating in every way possible. He hangs out with his big muscular friend group, all as equally as ‘masculine’ as him, with smelling salts and deadlift belts. John is that one guy in the gym we hate the most, because he has the ideal physique and is built like a Greek god. We all know a John, don’t we?

Let’s take a breather here, and look at positions.

Who is better positioned you’d say, in life? Remember, position is the current place where you are located.

The answer would be rightfully so: John! The man seems to have everything going for him doesn’t he?

Let’s continue with the story.

Jack grows even more insecure in himself looking at John and his friends, and wouldn’t wear anything that isn’t full-sleeved. But Jack here…Jack is relentless. He is driven. He prepares himself mentally day by day to become stronger than the day before, although he shows up to the gym in a hoodie and just works out alone.

But what Jack doesn’t know, John is going down a bad path. His friends introduce him to alcohol and drugs, which is perfect for John’s addictive personality, and is spiraling down with every week. Nevertheless, he tries to shows up to the gym putting on a brave face on the outside while on the inside, he is a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode.

Remember, Jack and John are still at about the same physique when they started. To a third person, they still would think that John is ‘winning in life’ or in our terms, positioned better.

Now, look at trajectories.

Who would you say: if both men were to go down the same path they are with the same habits and tendencies, in 6 months time, who would come out as better positioned?

If John and Jack were to continue down both their paths, i.e. trajectories, Jack would end up maybe 10 kgs heavier, more muscle mass, has more self esteem, all because he was consistent and kept moving. 

He never stopped.

Meanwhile John would now be in rehab, trying to be half the man he once was, scampering to piece his life together.

Jack is now better positioned than John.

Key Takeaways

Point is, why compare positions?

You may be financially not as blessed as the next person, but why worry?

He/She might have had an headstart, a lucky day at the lottery, went big at the roulette’s table, had the right network, daddy’s money etc.

But if that person is gonna keep gambling their money away, their trajectory is directing them one day to bankruptcy, and it is inevitable.

Take this example and apply it to any medium, whether it may be physical position (someone has a better house than you), mental position (someone is more thoughtful and seems to be full of clarity)

Nothing good ever comes from comparing.

They might seem in a better position than you right now, but there are no promises whether their trajectory is pointing upwards and downwards.

Instead, focus on your trajectory.

Wins and Losses Lessons

Quick riddle:

There’s three people on a ladder. One at the bottom, one at the middle, one at the top.
Which one is the best person to be?

The one that is still climbing.

All that matters in the end is that, you keep moving.

You win some, you lose some.

The losses aren’t as bad as they seem, but the wins aren’t as great as they seem either.

You may feel like nothing is ever going right, and this is where most people give up.

But in my mind: it’s either wins or lessons, not losses.

Just like how you learn what to do when things go your way, you also learn the bitter harsh reality of what NOT to do when things don’t.

The major key here is to consciously cultivate habits that work for you and your life rather than against you and your life.

Be level headed and correct your habits, your tendencies.

Because what matters is what you end up being, not what you are.

And your habits is going to be the vehicle that takes you where you wanna be.

Don’t focus on the people around you, for they…are not focused on you.

Everyone is too busy fighting their own battles within.

We are all alone in this together.

Journey over the destination.

Trajectory over position.

See you next week.

Atomic Habits by James Clear is a must.

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Thank you, and have a wonderful week ahead!