Stop Playing Small: The Risks of Hiding Your True Goals
Meaningful Movement
Takeaway: As a teenager, I missed a rare chance to connect with an astronaut by pretending to care about technical details rather than asking the questions I truly wanted to. This taught me that hiding your real goals and interests closes doors to meaningful connections and support. When you’re honest about what you want, you open yourself to genuine opportunities and guidance that align with your true path.
Stop Playing Small: The Risks of Hiding Your True Goals
I once had the chance to interview with an astronaut—someone who had been to space.
If you’re anything like me, you’d be brimming with questions: What does the Earth really look like from up there? How does it feel to float around in zero gravity?
Hold on. Let’s back up for a moment.
When I was thirteen, my middle school ran a special program called, “Portfolio Day.” It was an afternoon of mock job interviews with professionals from the community.
Teachers, police officers, public officials, florists, small business owners, the full spectrum was presented.
This particular year, there was an option to be interviewed by a real-life astronaut. Since this particular profession was so coveted by 13-year-olds, the requirement included writing an essay on why you should be chosen, of which they selected three lucky students to fill the open slots.
I was one of those three, and I was so excited for the interview.
On the day of, I entered an empty classroom with what was then a primitive form of Skype. The first of it’s kind—itself a big deal.
But I did myself the biggest disservice.
Instead of asking the questions I really wanted to, I tried to sound different, like I was interested in the technical details of spaceship design.
I assumed everyone of my peers would ask the same questions, and I was afraid of fitting the mold. So I tried to be different, and in so doing, I was inauthentic.
His reaction? “So, it sounds like you’re more interested in engineering.”
He didn’t write me off, but it was like he’d made up his mind. In that moment, I realized I’d completely missed out on the conversation I wanted to have.
I’d wasted a chance to connect with someone who could’ve shared something unforgettable—just because I was too worried about what he and everyone else might think of my “simple” questions.
This experience taught me a powerful lesson: if you want real answers and true opportunities, you’ve got to make your real goals known.
The truth is, when we hide what we truly want—when we’re too afraid to share our honest goals or passions—we miss out on help, guidance, and support that might be right there in front of us.
Be Honest About What You Want
Being open about your goals can feel vulnerable, and it’s easy to feel judged, especially when our dreams or interests seem simple or different from what we think others expect.
But here’s the thing: people can’t help you if they don’t know where you’re trying to go. And pretending to want something else just leads to dead ends.
Had I been straightforward with that astronaut, I could’ve had a conversation about what I actually cared about. But by hiding my real curiosity, I got exactly what I didn’t want—a conversation that wasn’t me.
It’s a clear reminder that when you’re honest, you set yourself up to get the support, advice, and even opportunities that align with your true goals.
Ask the Questions You’re Really Curious About
Next time you have the chance to talk to someone who can help you, ask the questions you actually care about.
Don’t worry about sounding impressive. Real connections and real progress come from honest conversations, not from trying to say what you think others want to hear.
In the end, hiding behind what you think sounds good or impressive only blocks you from the guidance and support that could make all the difference. People can’t help if they don’t know where you want to go.
When you’re real about your goals, life has a way of opening doors that would never open otherwise.
P.S. When you’re ready to get support toward your health and fitness goals, click below to book your free fitness strategy call.
Excellent advice!