Take big shots

I’m fascinated with “advice” and what counts as good or bad advice. Alex Imas said something interesting and I think I agree:

This thread by Simon is spot on. Most advice is dumb—it’s too general to be useful—and I always tell my students I have no advice to give unless it’s very specific (eg run this analysis).
But “live over your skis” is good advice.

It means aim for more than what you think you can achieve.

The quoted tweet from Simon:

Going through my mental Rolodex from 25 years of academia. The people who do great things were ridiculous tryhards, particularly early on.
Reaching further than they had a right to. As if something in their souls knew. If lucky, tutors and friends indulged this ultra cringe.