Never, ever, ever, ever ask someone NOT to try. Do not tell someone to try for an easier target either (particularly when that person’s sights are rightfully set on the task before them). What good does that do? You can only underachieve if you don’t push yourself. How does one improve if he or she always goes for the easy target? If you’re constantly telling yourself that you can’t achieve something, do you think that you will ever actually achieve that goal? If you are always trying to do the minimum, do you think you will ever become the best you can be?

Instead encourage people to do their best always. Help others to believe in themselves more than they ever thought they could believe in themselves. Wouldn’t you rather see someone accomplish a huge feat instead of watching them settle for mediocre? Wouldn’t you like to overcome your biggest challenges, rather than settle for less than your best?

Encourage, motivate, and cheer for other people – in all things – and you just might find that they will, in turn, believe in you more than you ever thought possible!

And a few more things…

Failure is acceptable, but not trying is a whole different ball park.
~Michael Jordan~

If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.
~Michael Jordan~