The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

December 21When You Grow Up

Humanity must ever reach out towards a New Eden. Succeeding generations smile at the crude attempts, and forthwith make their own blunders, but each attempt, however seemingly unsuccessful, must of necessity contain a germ of spiritual beauty which will bear fruit.

Amos Bronson Alcott—Bronson Alcott at Alcott house, England, and Fruitlands, New England (1908)

Did anyone ever tell you when you were young that you could be anything you dreamed of being?

Chances are, particularly if you grew up white and male, you believed them for quite some time. But then, one by one you started to realize you had limitations. You were never going to hit a major league curveball, you weren't particularly interested in the dynamics of rocket propulsion, and why would anyone want to be the president of an entire country?

“You can be anything you want” is horrible advice. Not because people aren't capable of remarkable things, because it sends us off chasing things others want for us rather than investing in figuring out what we are meant to do.

Perhaps something like “You can be anything your heart eventually reveals you are meant to be” is far better advice. Now go figure that out and don't forget to check out the wide path you've traveled already as you look for clues.

Accept your limitations, not those imposed by others who want to keep you in your rightful place, but those that just aren't part of your potential. Many entrepreneurs find who they are meant to ...