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The Potential Within

Realizing Your Own Greatness Within

By Nathan HuttonPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Everyone is born with one constant human quality. One thing that transcends race, religion, gender, and social status. Every child that comes into this world and takes its first breath is given this incredible gift. I have it. You have it. Your friends and family have it. Every man, woman, and child has it. That special gift given to all of us is POTENTIAL.

Whether you choose to see it or not, you have potential. The potential to do some amazing things. The potential to be more and to be great. To do absolutely incredible things IN your life. To do incredible things WITH your life.

Now if you already think "I'm awesome and I got this thing called life nailed down" then I'm happy for you. If that's where you're at then stop reading this and go do something else. Whatever you want, it's your call. What I have to say isn't meant for anyone who already feels like they're doing good and feeling great. Again, I'm happy for you, and keep doing what you're doing, but I want to talk to everyone else.

I know there are people out there who don't see their own potential. They look at their current situation and position in life, and they don't see a way out. Your self-worth may feel like it's at an all time low; but please understand that I know you are more than your current situation. You are better than whatever problems you're facing right now. You're stronger than you think. I know this for a fact. Why? Because I know you have potential. It's just a matter of digging deep and finding it.

I want to tell you a story about a young man I worked with at a homeless shelter in downtown Toronto. He spent the better part of his young adult life dealing drugs to make his money. His life revolved around what he called "The Hustle." He felt he wasn't very smart and he hated school. On top of that he couldn't stand authority figures so there were plenty of staff and community members who had a really difficult time working with him. In the beginning, myself included. During our first interaction he made some comments about how I couldn't know what his life was like so I shouldn't bother. He only saw himself as just another thug and the drug game was the only option. He'd said to me "Get a real job? Are you kidding me?" Yes. A real job with a pay cheque and regular hours, and the ability to know that your job won't eventually GET YOU KILLED. A real job. This young man felt that could never happen. I completely disagreed. I saw POTENTIAL. I saw it in him, even when he didn't.

To start off, we spent some time figuring out his transferable skills. Dealing meant that essentially, he had strong sales experience. He was good with numbers, measurements, and able to think quickly in high stress environments. We looked at every single negative thing he saw in himself and turned it into a positive. It took no time at all to create a functional resume listing his skills, and the legitimate work and volunteer experience he already had. After some mock interview practice he was ready to apply for a "real job." That was the easy part. The biggest hurdle was still waiting for us.

The issue was he still didn't see the potential in himself. Here is a young man who had all the resources and tools at his disposal, and the only thing holding him back was the tiny voice in his head telling him "You're worthless. Don't bother trying because you're going to fail anyway."

I'd like to say he ignored that voice. I'd like to tell you he was able to see his true self-worth. His potential for greatness... but I can't.

He disappeared and all I could do was hope he was OK. I would find out later that he was arrested again, but this time the charges were far more severe and he wasn't going to get released any time soon. His potential would be spent wasting away behind bars.

I want you to realize that his story doesn't have to be your story. His downfall doesn't have to be yours. One of his biggest mistakes was letting his own negativity get the upper hand, and I know you are better than that. You're stronger than that. You have the potential for greatness, but you and you alone have to embrace that. NO MATTER WHAT. Don't let that voice inside tell you differently. Don't let ANYONE stop you. I'd like you to take some time out of your day to look at yourself in the mirror and repeat after me...

"I'm capable of greatness and I have the potential to do great things."

Now keep repeating that over and over again. Let that become your mantra. Whatever comes your way, know that you can overcome it. You can achieve anything. Push the negative aside, and focus on the positive. I know you can do it. I have trust in your abilities and your potential. The potential to do amazing things with your life.

With that said, the responsibility to see your potential is on you. The first step is yours to take. I hope you're ready. Because the world is waiting to see what you can do—so am I.

self help
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About the Creator

Nathan Hutton

Musician, Motivational Speaker, Program Facilitator, Designer, Father, Husband, Teacher, Student. The hat I wear all depends on the circumstances.

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