A Guide To Transformation
You know what’s funny about potential? Sometimes you discover it in the most unlikely places. For me, that place was a public library where I was just trying to stay warm. I was homeless, spending my nights on the subway and my days between jogging at the local track and reading whatever books I could find. But here’s the thing—those tough times taught me something powerful about unlocking potential that no success guru ever could.
The Real Talk About Potential
Let’s be honest—you’ve probably heard all the fancy talk about unlocking your true potential before. But I’m not here to give you some polished theory from a textbook. I’m here to share real strategies that worked when I had nothing but hope and determination.
Your potential isn’t some magical something waiting to be discovered. It’s more like a muscle that gets stronger every time you push through some tough times. When I was sleeping on the subway at night or trying to stretch the few dollars from family into meals and train fare, I learned that potential isn’t about what you have—it’s about what you do with what you’ve got.
The Library Lesson
Those long hours in the library? They weren’t just about staying warm. They became my personal growth sessions. While others saw a homeless person, I was studying success principles, learning about mindset, and planning my comeback. Every book I read wasn’t just information—it was ammunition for my future.
Here’s what I discovered about unlocking potential that actually works:
Start At Whatever Point You Are At
You don’t need perfect circumstances to begin unlocking your potential. When I started reading about the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset in the library, I didn’t wait until I had someplace to live in order to apply what I learned. I started right there, on those hard ass library chairs, with nothing but borrowed books and borrowed time.
The Power of Systems Over Situations
My homeless situation didn’t define who I was and your situation doesn’t define you either—your systems do. Now what do I mean by that?
Well, it’s this…even during my toughest times, I created simple systems…I guess you could call them “routines.” In the morning, I would take time to go and walk around the track for exercise. Then I would go to the library and do some studying and at night, sometimes I would go and visit my brothers and sisters for support and to stay connected. Simple stuff…nothing complicated. This wasn’t just systems/routines—they were lifelines that kept me moving forward.
The Fifteen-Minute Rule
Sometimes staying on top of developing my potential felt overwhelming. That’s when I learned to use the fifteen-minute rule. No lie…some days were rough and I had a hard time facing the whole day. Some days I felt beat down to my socks, so what I would do is to focus on fifteen minutes at a time.
For me, I would go to the library and do:
- Fifteen minutes of reading
- Fifteen minutes of planning my day
- Fifteen minutes of positive thinking
These chunks of time sometimes turned into hours of productive work and pulled me out of my funk! I found myself pushing through those rough times when I didn’t feel like doing anything!
The Growth Mindset Reality Check
Let me tell you something about maintaining a growth mindset that most people miss—it’s not about being positive all the time, that’s just not realistic, but I tried not to wallow in negativity.
For sure, negativity is gonna pop into your head but it’s about being real with yourself and believing in your ability to learn and adapt. Let’s not get it twisted…when I was homeless, having a growth mindset didn’t mean I walked around pretending everything was fine. My surroundings kept reminding me that was definitely not the case.
But what it DID mean is:
- I learned to accept my situation without letting it define my future and who I was;
- I made sure that I learned from every experience, even the painful ones; and
- I looked for opportunities in obstacles as opposed to seeing things as difficulties.
The Street-Smart Success Formula
Here’s what I learned about potential from the streets that you won’t find in any fancy business book:
Use What Is Available To You
Since I didn’t have a job, I went to the library, I didn’t have a gym membership, so I went and walked around the track, and I had family members who helped me out from time to time with money and a place to crash for the night. The key isn’t waiting for the perfect situation to come along — it’s mastering and making the best of whatever situation is confronting you right at the moment.
Build Up Your Resilience Bank
Life on the streets is more than just being cold or hot depending on the weather. It is tough, and you must develop the mental toughness in order to survive. So, what I did was I would think of every small win as a deposit in what I call my “resilience bank.”
So, I made my daily deposits which were:
- Finding a warm place to sleep;
- Stretching the few dollars I had into meals and carfare; and
- Learning something new each day to improve my condition.
These were my small wins every day and these small wins compounded into major victories over time. These small wins I deposited each day grew into powerful victories that changed my life in ways I never expected.
These victories accumulated by finding safe places to sleep night after night. I had some friends who looked after me when I had nowhere to sleep. My careful budgeting of every dollar given to me by family members taught me money management skills that would later help me save for my future.
More importantly, my daily commitment to learning something new opened doors I didn’t know existed. With the help of some of my friends, I learned about job opportunities. I was never ashamed to ask for help…trust me…I had no shame in my game!
The street smarts I developed weren’t just about survival; they became wisdom that helped me understand people better and navigate life’s challenges with grace and ease. These victories didn’t happen overnight, but like interest in a bank account, they grew steadily until one day I realized I had built something valuable: a foundation of skills, relationships, and knowledge that would support me long after my time on the streets ended.
Transformation isn’t about making huge leaps—it’s about taking consistent small steps in the right direction. I went from homeless to becoming a Digital Business Strategist not through some magical breakthrough, but through my conscious choice to grow, learn, and push forward.
The Truth About Hidden Strength
Most people think unlocking potential is about finding some secret formula or hidden talent. But here’s what I learned during those long library hours: your true potential often shows up when you’ve got nothing left to lose.
Breaking Through Mental Walls
Believe it or not…everyone can unlock the true potential they have locked up inside. I’ve been thinking about writing this content for a while, and I know there’s a spark inside you – even if you can’t feel it yourself right now because you are somewhat frustrated or afraid of this new journey you are about to embark on.
That spark? It’s that special feeling you get that makes you feel really good when you think about your dreams? Yup, that one! Well…I know it’s there, even if YOU don’t feel it right now…maybe it’s just hidden under some distraction in your life at the moment.
So, let’s talk about finding it again and get that good feeling back, okay?
Remember…as kids, we were fearless! We didn’t worry about failing or what others thought (until we got into high school…but that’s another conversation). We just went for it, whatever “it” was.
And of course, as we got older, life seemed to get complicated, and those dreams started feeling more like wishful thinking than real possibilities. But here’s the thing – that dreamer is still you, and those possibilities are still real. It’s all about tapping into that potential!
You may be struggling right now to get your blog up and running for whatever reason, but you’re feeling stuck and unsure about which way to turn. Maybe you’re comparing yourself to other content creators, thinking everyone else has it figured out while you’re still searching for answers. Good news! That’s why I’m here to show you!
Trust me, those perfectly crafted posts you read from those million dollar content creators don’t tell their whole story. Everyone – and I mean everyone, even those successful bloggers online who brag about making millions – had moments when they feel lost and question their path too…and started out broke too!
The Secret Strength You Already Have
You might not believe this, but you’re actually stronger now than before!
Why? Because you’ve thought about taking on this endeavor! That’s the first step!
Every challenge you’ve faced, every setback you’ve experienced – they’re not weights holding you down. They’re building blocks that have made you more resilient, more capable, and wiser than before.
Think about it: I am sure that there have been times you thought you couldn’t handle that difficult project? Not only did you handle it, but you crushed it. Or when you were sure you couldn’t start over after that tough breakup? Look at you now – still standing, still breathing, still growing.
Taking the First Step (Even If It’s A Tiny One)
Unlocking your potential doesn’t mean you have to have it all figured out right now. In fact, thinking you need to have everything planned out perfectly is often what keeps us stuck. Instead, think about what makes you feel alive. What makes you lose track of time? What could you talk about for hours without getting bored? Those aren’t just random interests – they’re clues pointing toward your true potential.
Embracing the Messy Middle
Here’s something no one tells you about unlocking your potential: it CAN get messy. It’s not a straight line from point A to point B. It’s more like a squiggly doodle line with loops, backtracking, and unexpected turns. And that’s okay. Actually, it’s more than okay – it’s exactly how it should be.
Those moments when you feel most confused or uncertain? They’re often the times when you’re growing the most. It’s like cleaning out a cluttered room – sometimes things have to get messier before they get organized. You’re not lost; you’re in the middle of your own beautiful transformation.
Your Support System Matters
Don’t try to figure this out alone. In fact, you shouldn’t try to. Look around you – there are people who I am sure believe in you, who see your potential even when you don’t see it. Use their strength and lean on them for a minute. Share your dreams, your fears, your hopes. Sometimes just saying things out loud can help you see them more clearly.
Creating Your Own Definition of Success
Maybe part of what’s holding you back is trying to fit your dreams into someone else’s definition of success. But here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all path to fulfillment. Your potential might look different from what you originally imagined, and that’s perfectly fine.
Success isn’t just about career achievements or material goals. It’s about waking up feeling excited about your day. It’s about using your unique gifts to make a difference, however small. It’s about being true to yourself and your values.
Take a look at My Success Story…my definition of success was VERY different from the normal definition of success…but that’s ok!
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
So, where do we go from here? Start small, but START today!
Here’s what I want you to do:
First, take a deep breath and acknowledge how far you’ve come already. You’re reading this because part of you is ready for change, and that’s huge.
Next, pick one tiny action that moves you toward something you want. Maybe it’s spending 15 minutes researching a topic that interests you (remember my 15-minute rules), or reaching out to someone who inspires you, or just writing down your thoughts in a journal. Whatever it is, make it so small it feels almost impossible to fail.
Remember, unlocking your potential isn’t about becoming a different person – it’s about becoming MORE of who you already are. All those dreams, ideas, and possibilities you carry inside? They’re not too big, too late, or too far out of reach. They’re waiting for you to believe in them again.
You’ve got this, my friend…and I’ve got you! Take that first step, however small it might be. Your future self will thank you for starting today.
P.S. Don’t forget – that spark I mentioned ? It never went away. It’s still there, waiting for you to fan it into a flame. And I can’t wait to see how bright you’ll shine! ?
