Failing to Succeed and Fulfilling Your Potential

A lot of us live our lives wondering if we are fulfilling our potential. We all have talents, hobbies, and things we enjoy. But not all of us pursue these talents. I have met many people who say the same thing. "What if?" and "I wish."

"What if I had taken that risk?" "I wish I had tried harder." There is a famous saying, "It's never too late." As young as I am I live my life repeating the same words, "Never regret, because at some point you wanted it." That decision you made that you regret, once you were very sure about it. Once it was exactly what you wanted.

So if you find yourself sitting there thinking what the hell have I done with my life, fear not as I shall try and shed some light, on what we can all do to change our lives, using the unique potential that each of us have been gifted.

Action

I was, and still am occasionally, a major procrastinator. My mantra in life was, "I'll do it tomorrow" and I believed I would. And of course tomorrow rolls around and what do I say, I'll do it tomorrow, and so the cycle is endless. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, we may not live in a war zone, but it doesn't excuse how we have all become so comfortable in our first world bubbles. The danger is still there, tomorrow is not always promised. So in order to get anywhere in your life, you must realise action is the only way forward.

I have found that the more I push myself, opportunities seem to find me. But in terms of our potential, we are all very much capable of doing anything that we put our heads to.

Let's just take a moment to envision a world where we could all do what made us happy. Our jobs were our hobbies. I think the world would be a less depressing place. I don't think anyone was born to sit in an office from nine to five. Not to say some people don't enjoy it, all to you if you do.

But life has become hard, in a sense that every choice we make, our thoughts go down to, "Can I make a living out of it?" Even if you have an intense passion for something, if the answer is no, we tend to dismiss it.

I have always been a logical girl, but logical does not always mean right. When I was young my ambition in life was to sing and act. However, I did not pursue it, due to the opinions of my elders, who told me I should choose a more stable career choice. I listened and studied business and health care. Within a year, I had dropped out. Best decision of my life.

I had no passion for health care or business, I was a naturally creative person, something I was not able to explore in these subjects. My dad comes from a country where education is everything, so you can imagine his reaction. I did not have a family that would support me in anything I pursued. Because of this, I didn't engage in the things I enjoyed. But finally, when I dropped out it allowed me to explore my creative side, and it took me awhile. I knew I wanted to do something creative and fun, I felt the potential bubbling inside me however I didn't know how to let it out. It took another two years before that happened.

Finally, encouraged by the support from friends, I explored these sides to me. I always enjoyed English so I started writing and I realised I had a knack for it. The words would flow out of me like a waterfall. And I found it was the only time I could concentrate.

So I took it up. Blogging as I am doing now, and it gave me this feeling of peace, like I was doing what I was always meant to do. And I came to a few realisations, one being that, in my last days on Earth, if I could say I'd done what had made me happy there would be no regrets, and two, people who pursue their passions tend to find success. Because it is that passion that drives us. That forces us to go further. Something we lack when we do something we do not enjoy.

Success

Success is measured differently by everyone. Success to one may mean wealth, attaining many riches to enjoy at an older age. To another it may mean peace, having a peaceful mind that is free from the usual stress of daily life, and to another it may simply mean happiness, being happy with what you have no matter how big or small.

As humans I believe doubt has become a natural part of our persona. Doubt is our number one enemy in life.

I have read many books and recall reading of someone called Andy Pero. Andy Pero was a high school senior who believed he was experimented on by government organisations, and he said one thing that stood out to me. He was able to accomplish many outstanding feats simply by unlocking parts of his mind. Now you don't have to believe it, however, I certainly saw truth in some things he said. We've all heard of those crazy miracles, mums lifting up cars to save their babies, call it adrenaline call it whatever you like, but I am certain, that in these moments, doubt did not cross their minds. Their only thought being to accomplishwhatever it was they were set out to do. I believe our minds are extremely powerful. That we hold the key to unlock all of our wildest dreams. People have been known to do some amazing things.

Comparing

One thing I know is to fulfill your potential you can never compare yourself. If you find yourself doing that, you must learn to stop, or else you have already failed. Social media plays a big part in this, anyone who has Instagram or Facebook will be familiar with the constant bombardment of pictures that share the success of others. Instead of comparing, observe. Don't cry about that guy/girl of the same age who you think is doing better than yourself, instead ask why? As in look deeper and observe what they have done to make themselves successful, and then let go of the notion that they are doing better, they are just at a different stage of their journey. And once you have done this you can start to take notes. I tend to see that successful people have done nothing more than take action. This is not a cheesy self-help blog, although I will steal their line in saying, taking control of your life is one of the biggest steps you can make towards change. I do not blame people for my circumstances, I take responsibility for everything, and it allows me to take control.

You have a gift, a talent, something you love, and that alone is a sign that it may just be your calling.

In school we are not taught how to be leaders, we are taught how to be the working slaves of our employers. But I am telling you now, you are a leader. Do not succumb to the comfort of being in a group and following the herd.

Opinions

Everybody has an opinion. You may be saving the world, helping charities and dedicating your life to helping people, but there will always be someone out there, who will find a reason not to like you.

If you want to be successful, you must not place other people's opinions as a priority. You are your own person, society today has become hell bent on pleasing other people. Trying to please people will be your downfall. People will always find a reason to paint you as a bad or unlikable person. How can you take that risk, or pursue a crazy dream of yours that for all you know, may become your career and help you become successful if you are always listening to others? I spent countless years trying to please other people, and they were the worst years of my life. I said yes to everything, you need help, don't worry I got you! And the five hundred other times you ask for help. It drains your energy, it isn't worth it. So I will advise anybody who feels that they are to kind, to continue being kind, but add another part to yourself, the part that doesn't take any shit. I refused to let this world change me, continued to be kind even to the people who would take advantage of my kind nature, but I realised to survive you must adapt. The world we live in is not a kind one, so we cannot be, all kind.

Painful Resurrection

I consider myself successful. No, I do not have a half a million dollar house, I still look at the prices next to the wine list when I go out. I cannot go on holiday whenever I please, but I am still successful.

I do what I love, I broke the chains in which we are born to. I do not allow society to mould me, I have a good group of friends, and my parents. Money that isn't much to me, people dream of in other countries. So how can I not be successful? I have a roof over my head, I can drink and eat when I please, I am peaceful, and I believe not a lot of people are able to say that. Yes, I still seek more, not out of selfishness, but so I may help others.

You can be successful now and still add on to your achievements, you can be successful in one area but not another.

Everything I have wrote, is not a lot but the beginning steps.

I have more, but before I tell you I would like you to start with these ones. See if you can wear that top that you have never had the confidence to do so before, get out of the box you are in.

Until then goodbye and good luck.

I will soon be writing more steps to my ladder of success.