I wonder if people win an Olympic gold medal, and are just like, “Okay, so that’s done. I’m the best in the world at that. What’s next?”
Someone on social media asked, “What’s something that sounds impressive, until you’ve actually done it?” Maybe like the gold medals for everyday people. And here are some of the responses:
1. “Running a marathon. Before you do it, it feels like a monumental, almost mythical achievement. Afterwards, you realize it’s just a very long, painful, and boring experience that leaves you with blisters and desperate for a banana.”
2. “Becoming a manager. It sounds like a promotion. But you spend most of your time solving other people’s problems.”
3. “Getting a PhD. Having people call you ‘Dr. Uber Driver’ only goes so far.”
4. “Making a good mushroom parmesan risotto. Skills required: Stirring. Actually, 90% is stirring and waiting, 10% is tasting and seasoning.”
5. “Public speaking. We make it such a big deal, but then, after it’s done, [we] think, ‘Oh, that’s it?'”
6. “Building a computer from parts. Honestly, the most impressive part is affording all the parts.”
7. “Marriage.”
8. “Solving a Rubik’s Cube.”
9. “Buying your first house. Seems grown up, then the repairs, taxes, an bills hit you hard.”
10. “Excel pivot tables.”
11. “Writing a book. It sounds glamorous, but most of it is rewriting the same paragraph 20 times and doubting yourself.”
12. “Juggling. Three balls, and a weekend, and you’ll be able to juggle.”
13. “Learning how to do backflips.” (Uh, whatever you say, kiddo.)
14. “Surfing, at least poorly. If you have an instructor to help you pick a wave, you should be able to get up for a few seconds or so within your first hour.”
15. “Tearing a phone book in half.” (???)
