BY JEFF CORBETT
My grandfather was a young man in Statesville in the early 1900s, and he told me of a farmer who would bring live chickens to folks’ homes to raise for food.
One day the farmer delivered a crateful of chickens to my granddad’s neighbor, who was not home, so he left them on the front porch. The crate was loosely fastened, and the chickens soon escaped and ran all over the neighborhood.
The neighbors joined in to help catch the birds, and that night, the upset customer called the farmer to complain.
“I don’t appreciate you bringing the chickens in a shoddy crate. We had to chase them all over the block, and we only caught nine of them,” the customer said.
With a country drawl, the farmer replied, “Nine chickens ain’t too bad, when you consider I only brung you five.”
It’s All In Your Head
There’s a lesson in that story, and it is this: How much farther could you go in life, what great things could you do, if you didn’t know what your limitations were?
You are your own worst enemy when you possess a self-limiting mindset.
Take the story of Roger Bannister, who broke the four-minute mile barrier in 1954.
For years, the idea that anyone would accomplish that feat was unfathomable. Bannister, however, realized it was a mental barrier, not a physical one, which was preventing it from being done.
He then did the “impossible,” which some 2,000 runners have done since.
So what barriers do you have in your life that are holding you back from realizing your full potential?
Expect Some Pain
Bannister told us “The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.”
Being the best is not easy; it never is. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
Anytime you embark upon something new, like mastering a new skill, learning a new language, or starting to exercise, the hardest time is when you start.
Consider the Space Shuttle. On a journey of over a million miles, it used 85% of its fuel in just the first two minutes. You’re the same.
Untapped Potential
Glenn Van Ekeren, in his book “Speakers Sourcebook II,” tells the story of a reporter playing a game of “What If” with playwright George Bernard Shaw when Shaw was nearing the end of his life.
“’Mr. Shaw, you have been around some of the most famous people in the world. You are on a first-name basis with royalty, world-renowned authors, artists, teachers, and dignitaries from every part of this continent. If you had your life to live over and could be anybody you’ve ever known,” the reporter
asked, “who would you want to be?”
“I would choose,” replied Shaw, ‘to be the George Bernard Shaw who could have been — but never was.’”
How would you have answered that question? If you had your life to live over, what would be different?
In Van Ekeren’s book, he cites Elie Wiesel’s story of a rabbi, telling his flock that “when you cease to live and go before our creator, the question that will be asked of you is why did you not become you, the fully active, realized person that only you had the potential of becoming?”
Avoid the Naysayers
In “The Story File,” Steve May offers a follow-up story on potential: “You may not know that after high school, singer John Denver attended Texas Tech to become an architect. Denver explained, ‘But I quit to become a singer. Not one person said I was doing the right thing. Everyone said I was making a big mistake. They even turned me down for the shows at Six Flags, and I wound up handling the little cars the kids drive. But I knew deep down inside I was born to sing for people, and singing is the most joyful thing in the world for me. And if it’s not what you want to do, don’t do it. Listen to yourself, that’s how you know what’s right. Don’t be afraid to be who you are.’”
Thoughts on Potential
“Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.”
– Charles M. Schulz, Creator of Peanuts comic strip
“The epitaphs on tombstones of a great many people should read: Died at thirty, and buried at sixty.”
– Nicholas Murray Butler, 1862 – 1947
“I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.”
– Eartha Kitt, 1927 – 2008
“Someone told me that blind people need to realize their limitations; but I think it’s more exciting to realize my potential.”
— Erik Weihenmayer, who climbed El Capitan – the 3,000 foot sheer rock face in Yosemite.
“Most people die with their music still locked up inside them.”
– Benjamin Disraeli
“Your past is not your potential. In any hour you can choose to liberate the future.”
-Marilyn Ferguson (American writer)
“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.”
– Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.”
– Richard E. Byrd, American Aviator, Explorer, Rear-Admiral
Get Started NOW
I would wager there is something you’ve always wanted to do but never started, and keep making excuses, or just dropped it and gave up. You’re not alone.
You’ve dreamed of doing this over the years, but never mustered the resolve to do it. Why not?
Life is short, and you’ll never get out of it alive. Take a risk, recharge yourself with that wonderful energy you receive when you are tapping into your true potential and purpose.
Be it life or work, you can do more, much more. Like John Denver, find what gives you joy, and don’t look back, run with it and let life love you back!
Many are happy with living life on the bypass, just trying to stay as comfortable as possible.
As Nelson Mandela noted, “Playing small does not serve the world.”
It doesn’t serve you well either. In fact, until you answer your inner voice, you will always know that you settled for less.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, said Lao Tzu. Start yours today!
Jeff Corbett is an experienced public speaker, meeting facilitator and sales and marketing professional. He lives in Statesville. He can be reached at jeff@speak-well.com.