Zig Ziglar once said, “Man was designed for accomplishment, engineered
for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.” I was at a martial arts seminar one time when
the moderator asked, “What is your biggest frustration as a teacher?” I was fascinated by the various answers; some
I agreed with, others not. My answer was, “being able to see greatness in
people and not being able to help them see it.”
As a teacher there is nothing more frustrating than seeing unrealized
potential and untapped greatness. Inevitably it is the student that quits on
themselves that makes me obsess for weeks. What did I say, what didn’t I say,
and what could I have said to better serve this person? My years of teaching
experience tell me it is always people getting in their own way. It is their
self doubt, fear of failure, or even fear of success.
That may sound like an odd thing to be afraid of: success. After all,
isn’t that what we are all after, no matter what our pursuits might be? We all
want success. Sometimes, however, the thought of actually achieving what you
want can be more daunting than the work it took to get there. Sometimes the
thought of what to do next after you have accomplished the thing you have
poured all your energies into for so long can be so intimidating that we
subconsciously self sabotage.
Recognizing our own potential is the first and most essential step
towards living it. If you set a goal for yourself but don’t actually believe
you can achieve it, you have already given up. Belief in yourself is the
foundation upon which you must build all of your endeavors. If you don’t
believe in yourself, no one else is going to believe in you.
Trees grow toward the sky because that is what trees are meant to do.
Storm clouds drop rain across the land because that is what clouds do. Ralph
Marston said it best about people: “In short, you are destined to achieve. Get
your excuses, fears and doubts out of the way and allow that destiny to fully
unfold. ” Think of your end goal as reality; it is what you are meant to do. It
is as natural as tress growing or rain falling. Don’t allow room for even the
slightest doubt.
How can you help your children to realize their full potential? The best
thing you can do for them is to be a source of encouragement and support.
Encourage them to try new things, especially if they are outside of their
comfort zone. When they fail (or at least perceive that they have failed) point
out all of the great elements of their attempt and help them improve in the areas
where they are weak. Most of all, help them to have a positive attitude and
believe that success is a part of their reality.
For example, say your child is doing poorly in math. For weeks he studies
hard, does all the homework, and pays attention in class. After the next test
his grades still haven’t improved. He thinks, “I’ll never be good at math.”
That attitude alone could be what is keeping him from achieving his full
potential. He must think “I am good at math,” before he has the slightest chance
of actually being so.
It can be hard at times, but we have to remember to stay out of our own
way. Believe that success is a part of your destiny and it will come to you.
Contributed by Master Instructor of Action Karate and Author Solomon
Brenner- Black Belt Parenting. To set up speaking engagement please call
215.355.5003
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