Potential

Its amazing what can happen in the short time that has passed since my last post. I was feeling very run down and getting to a point where i was allowing things to bury me. I had a massive event that I am still trying to get over. Its amazing what people can say to you even though they claim love. For years i have had armor skin to verbal assaults and now i let things get to me? It seems that i let my guard down to let someone in and they take things they learn and hurt me. Which leads me to this in a round about way:

What is my potential? Potential is said to be a 4 letter word to some. People have been crushed under the pressure that comes with potential. Sometimes i look back at my life and think about how that word has applied. I once saw a scouting report from a team that stated I was a hard worker, not afraid to grind, good shot, has potential. Funny thing was i rarely played because who knows, maybe i had a bad attitude, maybe the coach didnt like me. I dont blame them but it seems in that sport i didnt live up to my potential.

As i look back at the application of the word, i can see things two ways, alot of failure or a lot of mild success leading to a greater cause. I choose the second.

THis past week i was with a group of my peers at a convention. When i left, i wasnt in a good mood, i didnt want to go, didnt want to leave my store. I had to tell an employee he couldnt come due to a variety of reasons and I hate being that guy. And then i get to this event. I spend the first night in my room, wallowing in my own pity. I mean honestly, what do i have to feel bad about when there are other people actually suffering?

Anywho, so i am in this convention with my fellow owners and if i could capture the energy and good vibes i would be a millionaire. Everyone roots for everyone, we all share our opportunities and tactics. I was so freaking fired up after two days that i could barely sit still. The great thing was the commraderie that is involved. All the older franchisees liked to give me crap and treat me like the little brother but it was also good to here they think i have potential to do well. That word again.....the expectations......yet, i relished it.

I have made some great friends from that convention and i am rejuvinated by the possibilities that tomorrow holds. But i wont forget today. There are some heavier issues that need to be handled but it is great to have a clear mind and focus for the first time in awhile. Potential couldnt be more of an exciting word for me because I believe in what is ahead and cant wait to reach and exceed!

Expectations

Expectations. That is a word that has many meanings. Its a world that comes with its own set of expectations. Expectations upon expectations. It can be a completely scary thing, it can crush you under its weight or it can drown you in its deep waters. It can also make you rise to the occasion, reach them, exceed them, or destroy them. Expectations are a double edge sword though. Here is a story i have shared a few times but it is the best way i can explain these feelings.

When i was 16 years old, i was a hockey player. I loved it, it had been my first love. My father bought me a cigar and said that when I get drafted, we will smoke it. Reality was, though i had the passion for it, i wasn't quite good enough to be drafted. So the cigar sat. We said when you get into college Ill smoke it. That time came and I didn't deem it worthy of the smoke. Then when i scored my first touchdown in college we would light it. That wasn't good enough. Then college graduation. Nope. Then when i got engaged, nope. Then when i opened my first business with him. Still not good enough. To this point my expectations, though high, were being accomplished but the cigar sat.

I am with a number of very successful people from the Max Muscle franchise system last night sitting at dinner talking and I tell this story. The first thing i hear from everyone is a resounding "smoke it as soon as you can". I am appalled off the bat because i felt i needed an epic moment to smoke this. I mean EPIC, i dont know what that includes, maybe curing cancer or creating world peace would suffice. Then as we continue the talk i realize what that cigar represents. It represents all my fear, all my lack of confidence, everything I am scared of resides in that cigar. It is the epitome of my faults. That cigar i was "using" as my motivation was and has always been a hindrance to who i could become.

Yes, it is just a symbol but the moral of the story is you cant be the best you if you have your fear and reservations holding you back from reaching your potential. I know, as I sit in my hotel room, I am looking forward to starting my life over when i get home and smoking that cigar. Don't let the expectations fold us. We can overcome all obstacles put in front of us. One of my favorite sayings is "God wouldn't put anything on our plate we can't handle. We let ourselves crumble under it when we have the capability of lifting it up off of us." I know i can be the best me and i am the only one who can hold me back.