Potential – every ones secret identity……….
In the past I have been fortunate to witness things that I
consider to be quite amazing. Along with
two partners I am the host of the largest tournament circuit in all of N.Y.
State. It is called NY Tournaments.com. Even though I am honored and I think that it
is ultimately cool, it’s not what I do, but what I am able to observe, that
makes my life so special. Within this
tournament competitors from as young as 4 year old'
That is not really what I am so excited about. There are large amounts of competitors that are at the top of their game, amazingly talented individuals who have worked super hard to get there. About two days before the tournament ran, one of the competitors whom I know, emailed me, asking if they could get their money back. The young man had explained to me, how a few days prior he just tested for his 3rd degree black belt and how his body was extremely sore. He went on to explain how he had been so focused on this test that he hadn’t prepared for this event. Being that he is not my direct student, but a student of one of my best friends, I thought I better be careful how I handle this. I told this young man he should do it and that there were no refunds. The young man humbly accepted the fact that their where no refunds and said, “I will just go and help others.”
I replied and said, No!
You need to compete. He explained
to me again, how he wasn’t ready and didn’t want to do it. I replied with a tough luck, you’re doing it
attitude. I explained how I thought no matter how he did, it didn’t matter.
Whether he won or lost, was not the lesson, it was how he went out there and
did it. He accepted and competed that day.
This young man was unsure, but I pushed him to compete. This young man ended up winning the Black
Belt division in Self Defense, as well as going on to win Grand Champion for his
entire Youth Black Belt in that category.
He, his teacher, his parents and other fellow students where proud of
him and he was proud of himself, thanking me for pushing him.
At times no matter what the craft, Acting, Martial Arts,
Dance, Sports, Work or just everyday life, we all have to realize there is
unlimited and untapped potential within all of us. At times human natures leads us astray and
tells us to settle, or believe we are not capable, but we have to defend
ourselves from the very thought that leads us down this path. Because mediocrity, is about denying what you
can do putting a false belief on what
you actually can do. You have to believe you can do it and believe within all
of us lies a Super Hero of sorts.
“A lot of young actors have the idea that, “I’ve got to do
this right. There’s a right way to do this.” But there’s no right
or wrong. There’s only good and bad. And “bad” usually happens when
you’re trying too hard to do it right. There’s a very broad spectrum of things
that can inhibit you. The most important thing for actors – and not just
actors, but everybody – is to feel loose enough to create what you want to
create, and be free to try anything. To have choices!”
Robert DeNiro
I see the potential in people, when they do not see it in
themselves. I sometimes have to push
people to the point, where they feel uncomfortable, when they do not really like
me. I have a parent in my school with a young daughter. I see unbelievable potential in her and I
tell him this. He agrees with me, like
any proud dad would, yet fights me on many counts to push his daughter. He tells me “I chose my battles and this
isn’t one of them.” At times it is hard
to push a young child, when the parent is totally resistant. Sadly, I can’t force people to be
amazing. However, I know if they just
let me guide them they will reach heights unimaginable. No matter what you do, remember, you have
unlimited potential and you can do anything you chose. Push yourself or find someone you trust to
help you push the envelope.
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