Human potential is one of my greatest interests. Thinking about what we have accomplished as humans is mind-blowing. And what intrigues me most is wondering what we are actually capable of that we have not yet realized. It’s fun to think about what it is that we might be able to achieve as a species, but it’s important to think about and consider what we are capable of as individuals.
Take a moment and daydream about what the best version of you would look like. How much more could you do? How much more impact could you make? What would the maximized version of you look like?
I think it’s safe to say that most of us aren’t doing the absolute best we can do. I believe it would scare us a bit if we knew what we were actually able to do. Even if you are doing a lot, accomplishing a ton, and making a big impact, you most likely could be doing better, accomplishing more.
What got me thinking about all this was hearing James Lawrence, known as the Iron Cowboy, on a podcast (That podcast can be found here… https://youtu.be/ZsPsRTJFu2g). This guy completed fifty complete ironman races, which is a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run, in fifty consecutive days, in all 50 states (known as the 50.50.50). Absolutely astonishing! And recently he blew that record out of the water by completing 100 ironman races in 100 consecutive days, a challenge he called “Conquer 100.” He actually did 101 just to prove he could do it. Wow!
I’m a big believer in human potential, but these are feats that I would have likely said were impossible. So, hearing about it expanded my mind to the realm of possibility, rethinking what we, as humans, are capable of, both individually and collectively.
As you might consider what more you could do, what else you could accomplish in your life, or how big you can go, it is critical to remember that each of us have unique skills, talents, and gifts. Trying to do what others are doing or have done can be futile, dangerous, and defeating. Your goals and aspirations have to be your own. They need to specific to you.
I want you to think about the accomplishments you have achieved in your life. Think about all that you have done. I also want to challenge you to think about how much more you can do. I want you to think big… really big. What are you really capable of? How much better can you do at work? How much better could you be as a father or mother, brother or sister, friend or co-worker? How much fitter and healthier could you really be? How many others could you help? How many lives could you impact?
As you do this, it is critical that you know where you are starting. Use the accomplishments of others to help get you started, but remember that you are not them. Remember that they had a starting point, worked hard, and went through successes and failures. It’s easy to look at those doing great things and forget that they dumped blood, sweat, and tears into getting where they got. And make sure you remain inspired by those doing incredible things, and not envious of them.
So… what are you really capable of? How much more could you be doing? What’s your max? You’ve been given special and unique gifts. Maximize those gifts. Do more. Go bigger. Surprise yourself. The world needs the absolute best version of you right now. Get started today!
