Stretch

“Success is not about having more but about making the most of what you already have.”

1. Chasing others' success often leads to dissatisfaction

Modern society encourages people to equate success with having more, fostering a mindset of competition instead of fulfillment. Our desires are shaped by comparisons, often triggering envy and a relentless chase for material possessions or societal approval.

This phenomenon, labeled as chasing, drives us to pursue things that don't necessarily contribute to our happiness. Research from Vanderbilt University shows that people perceive their neighbors’ lawns as greener than their own — a cliché that's indicative of this mindset. Such comparisons lead us to waste resources maintaining appearances rather than focusing on what genuinely matters.

A better approach is adopting a stretcher mindset, where the focus shifts to optimizing the resources you already have. By fostering confidence in your ability to control outcomes, like imagining yourself as a decision-maker rather than just a participant, you boost creativity and agency. This outlook enables you to achieve more from the constraints of your current situation.

Examples

• People spend heavily on luxury items just to keep up with others and feel successful.
• Families who try to outdo neighbors on yard maintenance often neglect personal fulfillment.
• Teams working with tight budgets often deliver better results by being resourceful.

2. Outsiders bring fresh innovation

Innovation often stems from a fresh perspective, and outsiders — those new to a field — can surpass experts in generating groundbreaking ideas. Experts, limited by their established frameworks, can develop tunnel vision, which hinders creative thinking.

Psychologist Phil Tetlock’s research over 20 years revealed that experts didn’t predict events any better than laypeople. Despite credentials, experts were often bound by their professional worldview, which restricted their ability to think outside the box. On the other hand, newcomers approached problems from unique angles, challenging long-held assumptions.

Outsider thinking can be cultivated through exploration, collaborating across domains, and testing assumptions. For instance, IDEO, an innovation-driven company, encourages cross-departmental collaboration to inspire fresh solutions. These techniques align more closely with how stretchers approach challenges by looking beyond traditional boundaries.

Examples

• Political forecasters were no better than random guesses when boxed into conventional thinking.
• A tech company introduced fresh ideas by hiring engineers from an unrelated industry.
• IDEO team innovations often stemmed from shared knowledge across unrelated projects.

3. Excessive planning narrows focus

While planning feels like a safeguard against uncertainty, it can also limit adaptability. People grow attached to step-by-step plans, often ignoring real-time situations or alternative approaches that emerge during execution.

Rapid-response teams, such as those studied by Stanford professor Kathy Eisenhardt, often outperform detailed planners. These teams, by focusing on adapting to the present rather than predicting the future, make decisions faster and process more relevant information. Sticking rigidly to plans can block valuable insights.

Improvisation favors stretchers who prioritize flexibility over excessive control. It makes them better problem solvers because they can rethink their use of resources and change direction in the face of unforeseen challenges instead of adhering blindly to prelaid steps.

Examples

• Executive teams making quick decisions outperformed those stuck in long meetings.
• People multitasking tend to overlook cues when preoccupied with planning.
• Improvisational companies can outperform traditional businesses during market changes.

4. Self-expectations shape outcomes

How you perceive your abilities directly impacts how you tackle challenges. Negative expectations about oneself lead to hesitation and avoidance, thus creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure.

If a coworker labels someone as difficult, it can influence how you interact with them, ultimately creating a problematic dynamic. Similarly, when people expect failure in themselves, they’re more likely to disengage from opportunities, further reinforcing their perceived incompetency.

Stretchers combat this mindset by fostering positive self-expectations. They view challenges as opportunities for growth instead of threats. For instance, reframing public speaking as a chance to enhance your communication skills can transform an intimidating task into a rewarding experience.

Examples

• Interpersonal conflicts escalate when first impressions are skewed by negative expectations.
• Employees turn down leadership opportunities when they doubt their abilities.
• A trainee thrived after switching their mindset from fear to excitement about challenges.

5. Creativity enlivens routine

Routines can foster efficiency but may also breed monotony. Stretchers find ways to infuse their routines with creativity, making repetitive tasks engaging and productive.

Taking everyday rituals and giving them a personal twist can make them feel refreshing. For example, adding a thoughtful note to your child’s packed lunch changes an otherwise mechanical task into a meaningful gesture. This approach shifts perspectives, unlocking productivity while breaking monotony.

Relationships with competitors can also be reimagined creatively. For example, treating rivals as collaborators rather than threats has been shown to boost outcomes. Friendly competition among hotel managers led to a 15% revenue increase by creating networks to exchange best practices.

Examples

• Writing personalized messages adds creativity to routine tasks.
• Friends among competing businesses shared insights and boosted revenues.
• A repetitive assembly-line task became fun with minor changes to the process.

6. Overstretching undermines balance

Stretching has its limits, and going beyond them — whether by micromanaging resources or pursuing unrealistic ambitions — can be counterproductive. To avoid this, it’s important to know where to draw boundaries.

People who overly hoard resources, in fear of spending, might miss out on investments that could enrich their lives. Similarly, those who juggle too many priorities risk burnout. Specializing in one area and then branching out thoughtfully prevents wasted efforts on low-impact endeavors.

Another risk is implementing rapid changes without reflection. Stretchers assess the past to inform future actions. For example, analyzing why a previous business failed ensures that mistakes won’t be repeated when rebooting.

Examples

• Refusing to repair broken tools in the name of thrift often leads to higher long-term costs.
• Entrepreneurs rushing to start new ventures without analyzing past failures repeat mistakes.
• Employees juggling too many roles suffer from stress and reduced efficiency.

7. Balancing old and new resources strengthens strategy

Stretchers thrive by balancing appreciation for existing resources with exploration of new opportunities. This dual focus helps them use overlooked assets effectively while keeping an eye on growth.

For example, academic papers dubbed “sleeping beauties,” ignored after publication, later proved groundbreaking when revisited. Stretchers follow this principle by identifying unused personal resources such as forgotten skills or connections. Exploring new possibilities, like attending workshops, can further fuel innovation.

Taking breaks is vital to maintaining strategic focus. A regular gratitude practice recharges creative energy, offering perspective on what matters most and helping to sustain motivation.

Examples

• A biologist rediscovered unused research data that led to a breakthrough.
• Workers exposed to different industries unlocked creative career solutions.
• Exercise breaks like walks improved employee efficiency by 81%.

8. Relationships enhance resourcefulness

Collaboration fosters success. By finding allies and forming partnerships, stretchers unlock shared advantages that go beyond individual achievements.

Friendly competitors, for instance, share market insights which benefit everyone involved. Stretchers know that mutual support can create opportunities that wouldn’t exist in isolation. Collaborative problem-solving often generates ideas faster than working alone.

Stretchers also invest in their networks, knowing that strong personal relationships often bring unexpected help or resources during crises.

Examples

• Business rivals with open communication achieve higher profits.
• Co-developing products with partners accelerates timelines.
• An employee’s network referred her to a dream job not advertised publicly.

9. Reflection drives long-term growth

Stretching requires reflection to stay aligned with goals. Journaling what you’re grateful for provides perspective, while breaks allow ideas to recharge. This balance between effort and self-care ensures sustained success.

Gratitude trains the mind to focus on the positive, fostering a sense of achievement. Meanwhile, stepping away temporarily prevents burnout and fuels creativity. Even short walks can spark solutions to complex challenges.

Reflection also reinforces mindful decision-making, helping stretchers distinguish between what deserves focus and what doesn’t.

Examples

• Writing down weekly gratitudes builds resilience over time.
• Taking afternoons off helped innovators return refreshed.
• Reflecting on successes inspires motivation to pursue new goals.

Takeaways

1. Capture overlooked resources by making a list of unused skills or connections.
2. Make daily tasks innovative by infusing personal touches into your routine.
3. Set realistic but ambitious goals to stay motivated without risking burnout.