If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve

Debbie Millman.

You are not in your final form!

Some months ago, I took a personality assessment that changed my mindset towards personality assessments in general. Not only did I disagree with the results, but I was put off by the finality with which it was presented to me. I had been categorized as a non-creative because I scored below a certain mark. And more annoying was the explanation behind the result which implied that I had limited potentials because I ‘fell short’ in certain parameters.

Meanwhile, I have a creative mind, a great sense of imagination, plus a unique way of expressing my ideas. And I cannot be boxed!

And as if that was not enough, I remember a similar conversation I had with a friend recently. I had been trying to design posters for my blog OYU, so I reached out to him to review the designs I had come up with and share his opinion. To my surprise, Baba calmly explained to me that I wasn’t getting it right because ‘creativity was not my thing’, and that ‘I wasn’t wired to be a creative’ (more like I should just stick to crunching numbers). And to further buttress his point, he advised that I seek the help of some other fellow who was ‘gifted’ in that sense, to design the poster for me.

Friends, some holy anger welled up within me and I decided to design the posters myself. So, I put my mind to work and started to push myself to churn out beautiful poster designs. And so far, I’ve had people reach out to me complimenting my posters and requesting me to share with them my graphic designer’s contact. And you can imagine how proud I am to reply, ‘Oh! I designed it myself’. Now, while I admit that I’ve not gained ‘Pro’ status yet, the truth is, if I practice consistently, I’ll quickly become the next badass graphic designer.

Please don’t argue with me . . . lol!

On a lighter note, I shared these experiences to help you understand that intelligence is progressive, abilities can be developed, and you are not in your final form. Your identity is not in your ability, but rather, your identity lies in the choices you make.

How many times have you put off an idea with the mindset that it won’t work simply because it was not your core competence or strength?

Why do you assume that you lack the ability to do something because ‘you don’t have the gift’?

How long will you continue to pass up on opportunities that would have helped you discover the beautiful and unique potentials that are within you?

Nothing is cast in stone. Not even you! You are not in your final form!

Our personalities are not fixed. Our giftings, talents and abilities are not fixed. We all have layers and layers of beautiful and unique expressions within us. But the truth is, they won’t peel themselves open. It is our responsibility to explore the multi-potentials that have been deposited in us.

While the mind plays a huge defining role in our becoming, it is up to us to strip it of limiting beliefs and stereotypes that have been modelled to us and has held us back from evolving into our higher selves. It is important we recognize that through learning, focus and consistent practice, we can very well step into new abilities and possibilities.

I have observed people who were once labelled as timid and shy, step out of those labels and evolve into bold and confident go-getters. And I am convinced that we can evolve mentally, intellectually and psychologically in the same way we evolve physically, if we put our minds to it.

I can go on and on about how much you have within you and how more you can be. But then, the choice is ultimately yours to make.

Therefore, I encourage you to develop a growth mindset and step out of your comfort zones into new abilities. And while you are at it, focus on the process not the results, and celebrate your attempts and progress. This will not only boost your confidence; it will also improve your attitude towards challenges.

Grow your mind, you are not in your final form.