Potential - Talents, Dreams, Idealist vs. Realist
By Frank
@Creditmaxed (71)
South Africa
June 26, 2007 2:59pm CST
What is your honest opinion?
Whenever I see someone cleaning rooms, garbage disposal, and other lowly jobs I can't help but wonder if those people does not have dreams and desires to succeed at something more worthwhile in life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking down on them; it's just that I wonder if they, for instance, does not desire to become a teacher, doctor, or anything else.
We all have potential, right? So how do you know if you are living up to your potential when you are only a petrol attendant? If I'm good at remembering stuff and only work in a fish shop - does that not imply that I'm not living up to my potential?
To put it more plainly: if you are smart, people around you don't expect to see you end up working as a cleaning person. I would imagine that they would be shocked if you did end up there! Normally at school one can recognise potential in other people's lives, but do they actually pursue it, or give up at the first sign of hardship?
Do you know anyone who is not living up to their potential? Are you perhaps living up to your potential? How do you know for sure that you are living up to it?
2 responses
@pendragon (3348)
• United States
26 Jun 07
You need to be the best at what you do, hone/own your talents, then never give up.
@Creditmaxed (71)
• South Africa
26 Jun 07
But what if you working as a janitor, being raised poor, and desire to study to become a teacher but don't have the money? Do you just give up on that and work to become the best janitor? Or do you sacrifice and pursue with all your might to become that teacher?
I will go with the last option, otherwise I will wonder for the rest of my life "what would have happened if I did try to attain that potential dream/desire?"
@agnescav (566)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Well I went to college for a year and a half, back when they weren't just letting anybody in and now I am a laundromat attendant. I love my job. I do more than just be the attendant. There is some bookkeeping involved and I am the supervisor but still I am a laundromat attendant.
I raised my kids. The youngest is 20 and I don't think I would have done this job when they were growing up. I was a stay at home mom but the on and off jobs that I did have were mainly office work.
I keep my brain working in the winter by doing taxes but I do feel that I crave constant contact but not closeness with everyday people.
I think I am reaching my potential with my job but I do wonder why this job makes me happy.
