Potential for Change

What happens when we stop making a difference? What happens when we are so repetitive we get overlooked by the world? What happens when no one believes in our world changing ideas?

At this crossroad, we will either pick up and find a more stimulating and creative environment or we will settle and watch our potential smother. The former are the Drew Houston, Jack Dorsey,  and Mark Zuckerbergs of our generation. The ones who physically cannot settle for anything less that life changing. The latter are the names we've never heard of, the slow and steady minds who get overlooked for CEO promotions and never get Googled by strangers. Becoming the settler is something that the majority of my generations fears more than being alone but not quite as much as the fear of failure.

I believe we all start out somewhere between the two extremes. And within the first two years of our career we will either choose ambition and take on the chance of failure, we will remain constant, or we cannot choose. Not choosing is what causes so many quarter life crisis. I'm not blaming everyone who has this disruptions for not picking an extreme, but understand that at the root of a lot of crisis is indecision. Sometimes this is an unavoidable phase because we need that experience in order to harness our actual potential. We need to test the boundaries of our strength, will power, dedication and mental control. This is only a negative if the chance to learn and discover your true self is bypassed.

Good employers have a fear that their new young investments will leave after 2-3 years and have a life of 'job hopping' because they have an issue with commitment. I disagree. We will only leave a good job because it doesn't offer everything we want be way of experience, flexibility, advancement, mentoring, and stimulation. It is not commitment we are scared of, it is being average. I don't want to help others an average amount, or work an average amount, or grow a company at an average pace. I want to put my whole heart into everything I do because whole-hearted people are the ones who get to change the world.

The Secret to Success

I believe that deep down, every person has a desire to be successful. Unfortunately, I keep coming to the realization that not everyone achieves this potential. So for all you success junkies and failure relapsers, I've done a little research and decided to let you in on the secret to success.

1) Be Upright:

Proverbs 2:7 says 'He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk it blameless.' So it is quite obvious that to be successful, we much first be considered 'upright.' Well what does it mean to be upright? It means to 'fear the Lord' (Proverbs 14:2), avoid evil (Proverbs 16:17), and have goodwill/seek reconciliation (Proverbs 14:9).

2) Rejoice:

Psalms 107:42 says 'The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.' It's exciting when things go the way you anticipate, when you make accurate decisions and predictions. When the God who created our tiny minds send us some express blessings, a thank you card/pray is definitely appropriate. 

3) Have Advisers:

'Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.' Proverbs 15:22. Maybe it is just me, but this seems pretty straight forward. We are not created to be a one man show. We need those real life angels and devils to sit on our shoulders and help us reason through decisions. Surround yourself with wise people who you know will be honest, and your chances of reaching your potential will dramatically increase. 

4) Avoid Evil:

'The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.' Proverbs 16:17. I understand this is easier said than done. But this is why I'm not writing about a 'get-rich-quick scheme' or a 'success in under 5 minutes' blog. It is a everyday, rain or shine, good hair bad hair continual decision that never stops. Choosing to avoid evil should become a habit, like eating food. We know we will have to eat food for the rest of our lives, so we do it three times a day and understand how to chew. Same recipe applies to fending off the wicked: practice three times a day. 

5) Reconcile:

‘Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.’ Proverbs 14:9. However badly you want to believe that the television stars who scheme and manipulate people to climb to the top understand success, it isn’t real life. People have to like you if they are going to support you. Don’t even let a favor go unnoticed, miscommunication go unclarified, advise go unthanked, and wisdom go stale.