I recently watched a documentary on the Civil War. As I was taking it in and contemplating the atrocities of slavery, I couldn’t help but think how much potential intelligence, creativity, ingenuity and personal accomplishments were lost in the oppression of African Americans for generations.
I then thought about other groups that never got to realize their full potential. Those that never had the opportunity to build a life for themselves. Those that never had the opportunity to set goals or pursue their dreams.
How much potential intelligence, creativity, ingenuity and personal accomplishments were lost in the Holocaust?
How much potential intelligence, creativity, ingenuity and personal accomplishments has been oppressed in women in Afghanistan and Iran?
While certainly not as awful as systemic oppression, how much potential intelligence, creativity, ingenuity and personal accomplishments are lost everyday by people who don’t go after or continue to pursue their goals due to lack of self-confidence, uncertainty, fear of failure, lack of a support system, never exploring what they’re capable of accomplishing or giving up when results aren't immediate?
What if Thomas Edison quit after the 2,773rd attempt at figuring out the light bulb?
What if Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony had accepted that women didn’t have the right to vote?
What if Edmund Hillary believed the summit of Everest was unattainable after 30 years of attempts?
What if Roger Bannister listened to those who said running a sub-4:00 mile was impossible and even dangerous?
What if Rosa Parks was ok with sitting in the back of the bus?
There are countless examples of people defying the odds and accomplishing what many thought was impossible at the time. But that's not the point of this. The point is you don't need to achieve historic greatness (such as the examples above) to experience personal greatness in your own life. You don't need some big, audacious goal. Losing 10 pounds, finishing your first 5K or starting a meditation practice could be the catalyst you need to kick start the momentum to create and sustain the life you want for yourself, if you set your mind to it.
I mentioned in another article that I dealt with self-doubt a lot in my life.
I didn’t think I could do a triathlon until I decided I could.
Even after that, I didn’t think I could do an Ironman until I decided I could.
And even after that, I didn’t think I could qualify for Kona until I decided I could.
But here’s the secret - I didn’t do it alone. I surrounded myself with people who helped me overcome my self-doubt and limiting beliefs. I built a team around me that supported me and steered me in the right direction.
Everyone is filled with self-doubt. Everyone experiences imposter syndrome from time to time. Everyone needs some help, encouragement and be held accountable along the way. Nobody gets through this little thing called life on their own.
When you have people around encouraging you, supporting you and holding you accountable, and when you accomplish something you didn’t think you were capable of, you start to feel incredibly empowered. You then start to ask yourself, “Well…What else am I capable of?”
What are the goals you have in your head that you need support and encouragement to accomplish?
What are you afraid of going after because you’re afraid of failing?
What are the areas in your life you want to improve but are lacking support and direction?
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” - George Bernard Shaw