HOW MUCH DO WE STRIVE TO UNLOCK OUR POTENTIAL?

By Wr. Edith Nderitu

For a long time and I mean pretty long time, I termed myself as a slow learner. I remember my friend scolding me because I did not want to try to play some computer games he had installed in his laptop. I believed I wouldn’t learn the game as fast as he wanted me to so I would always tell him I would go try it in my room where nobody was watching or would mind my learning pace. I eared trying and all along been losing it immensely.

Most of the time, in forums, speakers would ask questions for the audience to try. Incidentally, I would have the answers but I would fear saying them since I thought I would be laughed at in case they were wrong. I was discouraged. I let the opportunities pass just because I thought I was not smart enough.

They say you never know how strong you are till that is the only option you’ve got.  In my third year at the university, I was posted for an internship job at one of the Kenyan parastatals. I was nervous taking up the responsibilities I was assigned because I thought they were way above my level. I was placed at the Customer Care desk. Terrible! Right? In this desk I was to attend to clients who needed any sort of help. I can remember my first day at work; I barely knew any of my colleagues at the office. Luckily, I had someone to help me; we were supposed to register new members and open new accounts to those who needed them.

My tutor did two registrations as I keenly followed what he was doing. He left me at the desk to continue attending to the rest of the clients. It involved a lot of work but I managed till the end of the day. The rest of the colleagues were surprised at the pace at which I took to learn the duties that I was assigned. For once, I felt proud of myself, and wished I could pat myself at the back or give myself I tight hug to show how great I did. You can just imagine how relaxed I felt when they would say how sharp I was and term me as a quick learner.

This really encouraged me and I was able to learn a lot of skills within the three months. Just like a caterpillar which breaks from its larva stage of metamorphosis, I felt I would now fly, fly to greater heights. I was confident with myself. Right now I don’t let go off any opportunity that crosses my path. I have learnt to trust and believe in myself, that I too am a smart mind.

Indeed, it is never about possessing the strength and the intelligence that makes the better versions of us, rather, the continuous effort made towards being better every day is the key to unlocking our potential. In the words of Pope John XXIII, he puts it clearly that, “consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustration, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed, but with what is still possible for you to do”

As I keep looking forward to growing my confidence in myself to surmount the world challenges, I believe that the possibilities of making biggest are as immense as there are opportunities for me. It is simply a matter of deliberate effort made to learn each day to become a better at whatever one does, studies, and work or doing business. There can never be any better time to improve on what we have than today!

Image source: www.soulsuccess.co.uk