I was watching the movie Kung-Fu Panda with my family the other day, I think I enjoyed it more than my kids did, apart from being just a fun film it makes some good points. If you haven't seen it and plan to don't read this post because it will ruin it for you.
For those who haven't seen it it is about a group of expert kung-fu fighters who have proved themselves in battle many times and their search for the legendary 'Dragon Warrior' who legend has it will be the ultimate warrior and right all wrongs. The five warriors and their master are waiting for the day when the Dragon Warrior will be chosen fully expecting it to be one of them. This warrior it is said will unlock the secrets of the mystical Dragon Scroll that will apparently make them all powerful. Well the day comes for the Dragon Warrior to be chosen and the honour falls to a bumbling out of shape panda called Po who apparently has no kung-fu skills at all. The master eventually takes him under his wing and finds the key to unlock his ability turning him into an effective if slightly unconventional warrior. Po then receives the Dragon Scroll but on opening it finds it to be nothing more than a piece of mirrored parchment which does nothing more than show Po himself. The point being the secret to all power is inside himself he only needs to believe in himself.
I have been reading this week Dr John Maxwell's book the 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader's Day and I have been looking at the whole area of limits that people have put on them or put on themselves, Maxwell calls them 'lids' things that stop you reaching your full potential. There can be many different kinds of lids for example impatience, denial, impulsiveness, deceit, jealousy, anger, your family or friends can be a lid, your current leaders, background or youth and inexperience. But, the most limiting ones are the ones we put on ourselves for example lack of self confidence, negative/defeatist mindset, failure. These are just a few examples of things that can limit us however they can all be overcome, it may not be easy or straight forward and it may take time but if you never try you will never succeed.
The important thing is not looking for lids to excuse your lack of progress or development it is how you deal with those lids. For most of these the answer is found in you. Other people can also help you to deal with them, the right people
What limits your potential?
How are you going to overcome those limits?
Love Kung fu Panda.... It rocks and so does its message!
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