The Influence of A Movie
At some point I got scared. I got scared that this dream I have had since I was a kid, was going to remain a dream. I got scared that I would not live up to my potential. As a coach I try never to tell someone that they have potential. I think its an unnecessary burdon. Its a dream or a future thats passed on to someone that doesn’t have a a clue where you are going to be or what you are going to do. My entire life I have been told I am going to do great things. I have had people say “you are going to run the world one day” and “I expect big things out of you.” I may have done great things, but instead I was so worried about doing them that I forgot to pursue anything. I was so worried about doing the act that would best line up with my potential, that I never sat and asked what I wanted to do.
Please do not misinterpret this as complaining. Despite all of what I just said, I live a great life. I have an unbelievable family. Out of most people I know, my family is the closest to the Leave it to Beaver type of perfection (though my family members reading this would disagree). And my friends are second to none. Seriously, if you do not have my friends, you are settling for second best. I have a job that pays me well more than I am actually worth.
I have just realized today that for years I have been tiptoeing trying so hard not to screw up. And even if I did, I would never make that bold of a decision for it to be detrimental. The issue is I have played it too safe. I have tried to please too many people, and tried to land in a potential that I never asked for. I know I am young, so I simply have to decide to do and act. Make a decision that has major consequences be proud to tell people about it.
All of this came from a B movie at best: Take me home tonight.
What if; with knowing we have potential, we are more aware of the possibilities around us and can therefore create amazing opportunities for ourselves and those that are influenced by our way of life?
With knowing that we have potential, our dreams seem possible to achieve, we feel powerful and confident in what we do. Once we’ve accomplished the first step, the desire and hunger to succeed becomes stronger and over powers the burden of potential. We are then not only promising individuals, but taking action to be great, which, to me, is the first step to a worthwhile goal.
The trick is to line up your potential with your dreams – not an easy task, as you said. And I agree it’s not about your family/friends and the amazing situation you find yourself in that resembles your life… it’s about: “what if I did not reach my full potential and expectation?” We cannot think in terms of “what if” though, is what you taught me.
I find that, once we know our potential and dream and we can describe both these terms in one sentence… we are attempting to pursue both and are on the right track. The burden then becomes lighter as we then have the: “I can make a difference with my way of life” card in our hands. That, dear, is something we cannot explain, grasp, fathom or understand and always search for unless we have realised the absolute magic of our potential.
Take the leap – It’s always worth it.