I have a very large oak tree in my yard. I often think of the fact that this enormous tree was once just an acorn. It’s mind-blowing to think that each tiny acorn that gets dropped from this tree has within it the potential to become a large, mature oak tree.
I have always been interested in, actually intrigued by, the idea of potential. Acorns and oak trees are one thing, but I’ve always been most interested in the potential of humans. The fact that we, as a species, have not only survived for this long, but thrived the way that we have, is astonishing. Our potential seems unlimited.
While we can think about our collective potential as a group, I often think about the potential we each have as individuals. We all get things done, do hard work, and have accomplished lots, but taking some time to ponder on what it is that you are truly capable of can rock your mind. You do a lot each day… but how much more could you do? You have built a lot in your lifetime… but how much more could you build? You have impacted many lives… but how many more lives are you capable of impacting?
We’ve all heard stories about super-human feats, like a mother lifting a car off of her child or a person surviving weeks on a raft at sea. While we all have exhibited bursts of exceptional accomplishments, there is untapped potential in each and every one of us. How much are we capable of?
There was story I heard about an Olympic pole vaulter who had won the gold medal. As he stood atop the podium listening to the National Anthem, he looked around the stadium and wondered how many people could have beaten him that day… had they just picked up a vaulting pole when they were younger. A fascinating question! How many people were there that day with more athletic ability, more talent, and more potential that the Olympic gold medalist, but never attempted to pole vault?
We could drive ourselves crazy thinking about it, and dwelling on all that we could have done or might have become could be a source of stress and unhappiness. So, I am not suggesting that we dwell on the past, beat ourselves up for what we never did, or ponder regrets, but I do recommend taking some time to think about how much more you might be able to do moving forward. Pushing ourselves is a good thing. Challenging ourselves is healthy. Setting bigger goals keeps us motivated and excited. And contemplating just how much you are really capable of is a good thing.
It has been found that people on their deathbeds tend not to regret things that they did, but the things that they did not do. I believe we have been given certain talents, skill sets, and gifts, and I believe we have an obligation to maximize those talents, skills, and gifts. I believe untapped potential leads to frustration, disappointment, and unhappiness.
To always run at full capacity is dangerous. To wallow in what you should or could do all day, every day, is unhealthy. It can be a fine line. I do believe most people err on the side of doing too little, achieving less than they should, and greatly undershooting their potential.
Take some time today to think… could I be doing more? How much better could I be? How many more lives could I be impacting? How much more value can I be bringing to others?
Unlike the acorn, which is at the mercy of where it ends up when it falls, humans have the incredible ability to put themselves in the environment necessary to thrive. We have the ability to imagine, visualize, and plan. It is not what we have by setting and achieving goals… it is what we have become. And becoming the best human you can possibly become is a valuable and noble thing to strive for.
