“Your greatest fear is not living up to what you know you have inside you.”

I really resonate with this quote I heard this morning while listening to Jon Gordon’s podcast when he was interviewing Michael Chandler and Jon had asked Michael about his “why” and what drives him.

Overcome limiting beliefs. “I would rather fail while daring greatly than to not try at all.” That’s Michael’s mentality.

I think everyone pursuing greatness has this inkling–this feeling inside them that they have unlimited potential–that they were meant to do more, to be more. I know this has been the thing that has been driving me lately.

The problem, for so many, is that that potential is being caged by fear–by years of being told “no” or “it’s not possible” or “you’ll never be able to do that.”

For me, it’s felt as though there’s an animal caged within who is yearning to be free–who knows they weren’t meant to be chained up, caged and domesticated. Those are the limits society places on us–the thought that we need to be like everyone else–that we should settle for mediocrity.

This doesn’t mean pursuing fame and fortune (though that is probably how many would define the fruits of greatness, and indeed it may be for some).

Rather, it’s about continuous improvement and finding ways everyday to push myself a little bit more–to challenge myself to overcome my limits. It’s about looking in the mirror everyday and being proud of who I am and who I’m becoming–not in a prideful sense, but because there were lots of times in my life when I looked in the mirror and didn’t like who was staring back.

Honestly, I think each one of us has that little voice inside telling us we can be better, but while the world is shouting at us to be “content” with a safe and menial life, that little voice is merely whispering–and we’re never really able to make out what it’s saying amidst all the doom scrolling and watching TV.

Quiet yourself to listen to that voice more often. Dare to be more. You know you have more inside!