From Hesitation to Confidence—Owning Your Place in the Pool
When it comes to your relationship with the pool, you must first ask: What is the pool? And who am I in relation to it?
The "pool" serves as imagery—an analogy for your commitment, engagement, and presence in whatever you do. Where do you stand? Are you knee-deep? Are you fully submerged, or just dipping your toes in? Are you standing outside, watching others swim? Are you distracted, missing the pool altogether? Are you in the shallow or the deep end? Are you swimming or struggling to float? Are you dressed for the occasion? Do you have the skills to navigate it, or are you still learning? Are you a lifeguard, an instructor, or a student of the game? Do you even like the water?
All these questions revolve around one core inquiry: Are you fully in, or are you half in?
This distinction is critical because time commitment, attitude, and resilience against obstacles are determined by how deeply invested you are. If your goal is vague or weak, every challenge will feel like a setback. But if you have a clear and confident purpose, you will see adversity as part of the journey—something to overcome rather than something that stops you. A strong “why” ensures you can bear any “how.”
What About Us?
We are all presented with opportunities to rise to the occasion—chances that we are more than qualified for, even if we don’t recognize it at first. The truth is, you either have "it" or have the ability to learn it. But too often, we fail to give ourselves credit or worse—we take credit away. If we could observe ourselves with more objectivity and grace, we would see our abilities in a much clearer light.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong, the answer is yes. Your story has led you to this moment. If you weren’t meant to be here, you wouldn’t be. Your presence means you have something to contribute—and something to gain.
The only thing required from you is ownership and acceptance—the belief that you can not only take, but also give. Avoiding the stage—hiding from the opportunity—is not about lack of skill; it’s about fear of exposure, fear of judgment, fear of discomfort. But none of those fears have anything to do with your actual ability. They are just illusions of perception and appearance.
At first, stepping into the spotlight may feel unnatural, uncomfortable, or even undeserved. But over time, as your confidence builds, so will your willingness to take on new challenges. And the more you embrace challenges, the more your value grows—not just in your own eyes, but in the eyes of those around you. This confidence feeds into action, which fuels trust, which creates new opportunities. It’s a cycle of growth, and it all starts with your decision to step in rather than stand outside.
Recognizing the Pool and Recognizing Yourself
Once you understand what the pool represents and who you are in relation to it, the decision becomes clear: Are you merely interested, or are you truly committed?
If you choose commitment, then your only job is to do your best—and to be yourself. Remember this: If you weren’t capable of handling the opportunity, you wouldn’t have been put in that position. Someone or something saw something in you—your actions spoke louder than words, and that alone proves you belong.
That is why we must always show up as our authentic selves—because we never know which encounters will shape our future. My father always told me to “show my face everywhere, you never know when it will come in handy” because opportunities don’t always appear when expected, but they always appear when you’re present. And believe me—it works. Sometimes it takes longer, but if you show up with authenticity and consistency, opportunities will keep finding you.
But choose your “pools” wisely. Every commitment requires “leaving one pool” behind before stepping into another. And when transitioning “into the new pool,” be mindful of what you carry from one experience to the next—"because you might still be wet.” If you don’t take time to pause and reset—"to dry off”—you risk bringing “residue from the past” into your next endeavor, and that will influence both you and those around you.
So, before you step into the next pool, ask yourself:
How do I see myself in relation to the pool?
And am I just interested, or am I truly committed?
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