Exploring Potential
I’m always amazed at what we humans can do when we have to. I’m also saddened by the fact that so many of us spend years wasting, ignoring and under-estimating our considerable ability and potential.
We’ve all heard stories of people doing (what appears to be) super-human things when they (seemingly) have no option. When our brain, our emotions and our body kick into survival mode, the impossible becomes probable, the terrifying becomes matter-of-fact and the difficult becomes almost effortless. We are extremely capable and adaptable creatures when we need to be. What a pity we wait for the catastrophic to occur before we choose to tap into the brilliance, the power and the possibilities that exist in all of us.
Yep, all.
Getting in Our Own Way
If only we would stop allowing our over-thinking, over-rationalising minds to get in the way of what we can do, be, create and achieve. If only we would choose to find a way rather than an excuse. If only we would stop calling fearful behaviour, logical behaviour. And, if only we would do what works instead of doing what’s comfortable, safe and easy.
The Hero
Just like the woman who’s scared of her own shadow but runs into a burning building to save her child without hesitation. She saves the child and learns a lot about herself in the process. She’s never the same.
The Ex-Smoker
Then there’s the guy who simply can’t stop smoking but gives up cigarettes instantly when he’s diagnosed with lung cancer. No more motivational issues, no more self-control problems and no more excuses. Ever. Of course, he always had the ability to stop smoking but, sadly, for a long time he associated more pain with kicking the habit than he did with the potential consequences of long-term smoking. So he smoked. Until, of course, he was diagnosed with a terminal disease. Then he experienced something of an internal shift. The impossible became necessary. So he simply did what was always possible. He changed his thinking and his behaviour instantly.
The Ex-Fat Guy
There’s the morbidly obese business executive who’s been about to lose weight for years. According to him, lack of time, a sore ankle and business lunches are the limiting factors in his quest for health. Sure they are, Pinocchio. One day he gets diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and told he’ll die within three years if he doesn’t change his body, his diet and his lifestyle habits immediately. Six months later, he’s lost thirty-five kilos (77lbs), has no diabetic indicators, eats nothing but healthy food and, amazingly, has no time-management problems. The ability to change was always there. His real barrier was his attitude. His psychological issues created some serious physiological consequences. When he took charge of his mind, his body followed.
As it does.
The Paralympian
And finally, there’s the unhappy, unfulfilled, grumpy woman who loses her leg in a car accident and then realises what a great life she had before the accident. In a moment of reflection and clarity, it dawns on her that her thinking was the problem, not her life. She goes on to become a successful coach, motivator, speaker and Paralympian. Her life post-accident is more fulfilling, rewarding, enjoyable and selfless – because she makes it that way.
Life is not a dress rehearsal folks. Today is not a practice run. It’s the real deal.
Sure, a catastrophe is one way we can explore our potential but living reactively is so unnecessary and, for the most part, so miserable. Every day we all have the opportunity to over-ride the fear, the complacency, the habitual behaviour, the procrastination and the stinking-thinking. Every day we have the opportunity to do different. To do better.
So, the question de jour is not, ‘How much potential do you have?’ but, rather, ‘When will you stop wasting what you’ve been given?’
Don’t get mad at me, I’m just the messenger. 
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Craig, I love all your examples and they’re all true. People are just like that. We do what needs to be done, but somehow we do it quicker and without a problem when we’re forced to. Why wait…
Love all this ….thanks as always,
Mon
Hey Craig,
This post is though provoking. There’s this saying: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. In the culture I live, a lot of people seem to live by it. And it’s no wonder they live lame, unhappy, unsuccessful lives. In my book, proactive is always better than reactive.
[...] Why Wait for the Catastrophe? [...]
You are right again. I enjoy all of them. Thankyou
from Canada
Thanks Craig, perfect message for me today.
So here I go , deep breath, now off to give the performance of my life
Ruth
That’s it I’ve had enough! Enough of feeling down, tired, stressed, too self consumed in these emotions to enjoy the life I know I could have. Life is too short…with news of recent accidents in our local area affecting their loved ones forever…I can’t take life for granted anymore. Rewards of food and drink to help me get through the day are not the answer….I need a new focus.
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ~Thomas Edison~
I think willingness is the key – wanting, visualising etc is great but when you are willing to do whatever it takes.. then you will make the changes.
Now that I am finally willinging and am sure of what I am meant to be doing (and no its not gong to be a supermodel – haha) – I find that there are so many roadblocks and I cant move… I just dont have the $ to do it.. and I know excuses but realisitically I haved
worked at my career to get a pay rise – hasnt happened
got a second job
I dont go out
I cant sell anything …
I am not ‘overspending’ – I mean i even wear the company uniform god help me…
SO how then do we move…
What key ingredient am I missing to make the shift in this area…. .
Thank you Craig, this is just what I needed today
Craig, I print out your blogs and read them with my 11 year old daughter.
Imagine if your blogs were available in schools and discussed in the classroom, seriously, you’d see lives changed.
This is the stuff kids need to learn and believe, especially those transitioning into the teenage years.
I see kids who never see what they could be, just because they’ve never been allowed to believe their dreams are possible.
Your blogs are straight up, crap free, spot on and hilarious, keep em coming please…
cheers
Bernadette
Morning everyone
A perfect example of this is I talked to a lady on the weekend who was in a serious accident involving herself on a push bike and a car – yep broke nearly every bone in her body but still managed to tell the ambulance officers to cancel her hair appointment and that her daughter was home alone. It’s amazing that your mind can focus on these things when you are bleeding and your body is in total trauma . She is doing really well in her recovery and is even back riding her bike again facing all her fears. Totally inspiring!!
Cheers Ang
this one is gold Mr H and speaks straight to me – been there – know the feeling – and yes everyone is capable of it. Woo Hoo!
Love the post, it is true but comments from Ed such as people are ‘lame’ it is no one’ s business if people don’t want to do something to fix their lives, they reap the consequences just don’t listen to them. So many people judge others.
Hi Craig,
it takes till we lose something to be aware or grateful of what we had. It’s when we feel the loss of how things were and the struggle with how they have ended up now.
While we are in our comfort zone and we are not suffering or struggling change is not an option.
A crisis or trauma is our wake up call which changes our thinking because it has changed our life.
Unfortunately it is then we feel the pain of what we had and what we should or could of done. We need to do what feels right in our heart to grow,change or achieve NOW, TODAY because tomorrow we may not have the same choices/options available.
ps I was wondering were the winners for Your values mentioned
Hi Everyone. Hope you’re enjoying your day. Thanks for sharing your thoughts..
Bernadette – if schools have internet access then they have access to this site… maybe they could replace algebra or woodwork with a few me-dot-com lessons?
Hey Bernadette and Craig!
Your site is accessible within schools (even catholic ed!), various sites are usually blocked for inappropriate content which is obviously not the case here!
Enjoy xx
Michael,
I agree the art of detachment is a beautiful thing – and helps to keep friends/family:)
Kate
Thanks Craig,
I have been exercising, eating healthy food (most of the time) and really trying to make each day count. My next battle is the beer and wine…………..it’s not big and it’s not clever. I will start today by not drinking in the week at all, not even my two or three beers at home whilst I watch England play poor football!!!!!! the weekend will take a little more work.
Thanks for the wake up call.
and dont forget to cheer “C’mon England”
Thanks Craig,
I needed the kick up the beehind! I was also one of the ones who had the catastrophe happen. Eleven months ago I ended up in hospital with pulmonary embolisms due in part to my obesity. Ive since lost nearly 23 kgs and have about 34 kgs to go to get to a healthy weight.
Your straight talking post today certainly has me back remembering why I started this and reminded me also that I DONT want to end up back where I was. I really think you save lives with what you write and Im definitely going to come along to one of your seminars one day….when I get brave enough.
Thanks again
Gayle
Kate, you are right, but I got rid of my family some of them, relatives and friends. There are two sides to every story but they are not the sort of people I want to be around, so I miss some of them and I still get angry but every time I try to sort out stuff all of them, even my now ex friend in Sydney, use the term move on. Move on from what??? They did things too much to go into and inappropirate for this blog, but I get tried of new age and people like Craig who go back to the victim is always to blame for everything. If that is the case, then those soliders should be blamed for what happened to them not the enemy or a chopper crash. This blame the victim mentality is sick and it is used by lawyers in rape cases. Sometimes one IS a victim. Craig’s blog has had tons of good advice for dealing with life but underlying it is if you are fat/been raped/been abused/been swindled/been hurt it is ALWAYS your fault NEVER the person or thing that did it. And that to me is part of a society that isn’t compassionate. And new age gurus make money off you for making you feel that way.
Hi Michael,
i do relate to your hurt etc and I also totally understand and believe that those who balme the person who was raped saying they asked for it etc definantely have accountability problems,if not major reality issues.
The facts are this if you were brought up in an abusive family, abused by a stanger or even did fall victim to someone elses actions or events IN life you are NOT to blame however unfortunately the VICTIM still does have to deal with the after effects and in most cases dont have millions to spend on therapy as Sandra Bullock said ‘please therapy is expensive, can we just go back to normal’.
I truly do empathise with you and trust me I have had my fair share of ‘occurances’ that NO, my friends have NOT had to endure … and personaly ‘there problems’ would be a NO problem LIFE/ISSUES FOR ME.
So to say suck it up princess when you are talking abt someone who choose to eat a hamburger and needs to loose 5 kilos is different than saying suck it up princess to someone who have been raped by a total stranger…
And this my friend is where the good old saying take what you can and leave the rest….
I dont think Craig ever has given me the impression of a person to just suck it up with legitatimate issues which as you said could probably be discussed in another forum..
I do think Craig’s forum relates more to weight issues etc whereby people are winging ‘and being a victim’ of there own CHOICES.. not others
Cheers kate
Hi Michael,
I hope you enjoy being fat, friendless and fifty because that is exactly how you will end up if you continue to blame everyone else for your unhappiness.
Man-up, mate.
Matthew
Hi guys,
I would like to contribute to the discussion between Michael,Kate and Matthew.
I have learnt we can’t change people but choose the ones that feed us and not deplete us, we can’t change the hurt or pain we feel but try to learn from it .
Why things happens to some of us and not others I don’t know but being stuck on ‘why’ is the hurt we are causing to ourselves. Trying to work out how to move on and let go releases us. No one can judge a person unless they have been in the same situation and judging sometimes can actually cause more damage.
People/victims need guidance and redirection to get back meaning in their life and release their pain.
I believe Craig’s meaning of playing the ‘victim’ is not about blaming at all it is about the choices we all have and can make about our circumstances and not allowing them to have such power over us.
The only person that can stop this pain and suffering is us. He is not ignoring the victim’s situation but is trying to teach us to let go so that we can grow,move on and become a happier person.
Craig, you are just about the ultimate at what you do. But ease up on the victims.
(totally kidding…)
Michael, I’m not disparaging you. I understand where you are coming from after researching Asperger’s some years back. Your perspective can be hard for those without the diagnosis to appreciate.
artemis and Kate make great points, but I bet other people who don’t know your background would be shocked that you would blast Craig on his own blog.
So I broke out of lurker status to give you a little support. It seems to me that you are functioning well despite your challenges, but I hope you are getting whatever help the condition dictates you are in need of.
I really care
Love to you from the States.
Michael – its not what happens to us its the way we recreate our future – not react to our past. Trust me on this one. I have been a serious ‘victim’ on more than one occassion – choosing to take a little bit of good and learning out of every situation is the only way to go. Otherwise I would still be that miserable girl who hated men cause she was sexually abused; couldnt hold a relationship because of her mentally ill ex; or was scared to step out of the house cause she went through (literally! lol) a rather large bushfire. Nope – I CHOOSE to learn from each experience and CHOOSE to try to be happy every day. Doesnt take away what happened but stops me from suffering every day because of the past.
Sending you love too. Love too to the scarily smart man with big guns in the cargo pants.