Dear friend,

Do you know what is the heaviest weight to carry?

No it’s not the pain of losing someone close. Ultimately that’s not in our hands.

No it’s not the guilt of having disappointed or hurt someone you love. That’s going to happen, no matter how hard Toit try not to.

No it’s watching someone you love, do things that are destructive for them. Though, I’d say that’sa close second.

I believe that the heaviest load to carry, is living with under-utilised personal potential.

I was capable of 100, but I only did 60, or 70, or even 90. That’s the heaviest burden a human can carry. That burden will destroy your peace of mind. That burden is a slow burn that will ultimately make you feel a constant sense of fearfulness, weakness, desperation, and worse - a constant overthinking.

Have you ever noticed that when you truly believe ‘i did the very best i could do —- I went ALL OUT’, on a project or a venture, you feel a sense of ease like none other, even if the outcome isn’t exactly what you had aimed for?

You can fill everyone else, but you can’t full yourself. Somewhere inside our hearts we all know that we are capable of much more. That gap between what we are and what we we know we can be, is a very heavy burden.

———

I received a newsletter in my inbox that asked the question - why do you do what you do? And this question triggered this thought process of the heaviest burden.

It’s seems like an innocent question. But think about it for even a few minutes and you will realise how much unexplored territory there is. Write down thoughts that come and you will be surprised with what comes.

So, when I asked myself this question, the first thought that came into my mind was ‘under-utilised potentialI’.

Here are some other words for it:

Laziness.

Doubt.

Fear.

Confusion.

Comparison.

Shyness.

Hesitation.

Validation seeking.

Mmhmmm. Yup. These are other words for under utilised potential. When one or more of these are a part of our system for a long enough period of time, you can be sure you are living wayyy below your potential.

In short bursts these are even good. In fact they are positive when you get them in small doses every now and then.

But here’s the funny thing, a light, less than intense, but ongoing and long term exposure to these emotions, will inevitably lead to a below potential life.

People recover from loss, failure, insult, and even several physically and emotionally crippling life events. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, they say.

But escaping the gravity of low intensity negative emotions over a long time, is very very tough. Getting out of the lethargy of under utilised potential and living life to one’s fullest potential is the transformation that we all must live for.

I think that’s why I do what I do.

I think too many of us live way below our potential.

I think I loved a large parts of my youth way before potential.

I think I am even now living way before my potential.

———-

But here’s the thing. Just because we feel the burden, it doesn’t mean that we are able to do something about it.

The burden bogs us down. It’s a weight after all. It’s attracts gravity. So we are constantly seeking release from the burden. We put it down for a while. We get some relief. We distract ourself. We look the other way. We enjoy a moment of pleasure. We forget about the burden. Ahhhh, it feels good!

But this is a trap. Putting the burden down and taking a bit of relief makes the burden even heavier. The relief is only temporary, and the pain his back harder. It’s a negative reinforcing loop.

The answer does not lie in getting relief by putting the burden down.

———-

The answer always lies in gaining clarity.

What am I afraid of?

What do I really want?

What gives me joy?

What comes naturally to me?

What do I need to focus on?

What do I need to get better at?

Who will help me and why?

What do I need to let go?

What uncomfortable truths do I need to face?

What’s wrong thinking do I need to let go of?

Why am I doing what I’m doing?

The answer to relieving the burden lies in gaining clarity.

Clarity converts the burden into fuel. Suddenly the weight is transformed into lightness. It becomes a source of energy. From being bogged down, you will feel as though you are flying.

———

Clarity is simple but not easy.

Clarity can be painful as it requires facing harsh truths about the world and about oneself.

Humans beings don’t like doing that. We’d rather fool ourselves. It’s much easier (in the short run).

‘It’s not my fault this happened. They didn’t do their job’

‘I didn’t meet the target. Not our fault. They didn’t cooperate’

‘I don’t need to improve. They don’t get the basics ’

These things are much easier to say than..

‘Let me think what I could have done to prevent this’

‘What could I do differently to ensure targets are met?’

‘What do I not know that I don’t know? What are my blind spots?’

What they they really need? How can I bring them on onboard?

These questions are not easy to ask ourselves.

And hence, under-utilised potentialI’

———

My dear friend, I do what I do because I want to live, and help people live to their FULLEST potential.

Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, let’s live to our true potential.

How will we know?

Close your eyes right now, and you’ll know.

We all know. And that’s the source of the pain we feel.

And here’s one last but really important bit… I believe it’s not about ‘having reached my full potentiali’ matters. What matters is that am I moving in that direction, and at the pace I want?

Because our potential itself is ever growing :-)

———-

So here I am. Moving towards my potential.

Writing this letter at 5am in the morning.

Taking help from my coach and mentors and friends to find my blind spots as a leader, teacher and creator.

Getting ready to up my game with writing, video and public speaking.

Working with our amazing team to set bigger goals and get there faster.

Building a college program for students who want to learn limitlessly and EXPLORE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

I’m ready for some big leaps of faith, and all the hard work that comes with it.

No more burden. Let there be flight.

———-

I’m inviting you right my friend to take sometime explore what might’ve your true potential. Which aspects your life are you living up to? Where do you think your potential lies? What has held you back in the past? What will help you unlock it? How will you feel when you are living to your full potential? Who will inspire you? What else do you need?

Those are some thinking prompts I’m using to help me unlock. Hope you have fun trying it out. And if you come up with some other tools that might help, please do send them my way!