The most domesticated animal of them all

“Society tames the wolf into a dog. And man is the most domesticated animal of all” - Frederick Nietzsche

The idea that humans use 10% of their brains is a myth, but if you switch out the word "brain" for "potential," I'd have to say it’d be true. We all want to live profound lives, but there is usually something that gets in the way; ourselves. We set limits on our own abilities. We've been domesticated just like the animals in a zoo. Humanity has lost some of its wild instincts, independent thought, and critical thinking. We are a shell of what we could be. When was the last time you felt alive? Have you ever done something that made you think, "Wow, I had no idea I had that in me?" When was the last time you took a risk, burned a couple of bridges, or just got away from the noise of everyday life? Again, I ask, when was the last time you felt alive? Maybe society's work or school are to blame, but now the ball is in your court, I challenge you to do something that makes you feel alive (nothing dangerous or illegal, of course).

We live in an era of confinement where everyone is trying to put each other into boxes. You go to college, get a job, have two kids, a minivan, and retire at 65. How did we let our society declare that the default life? No traveling? No chance at political office? No legacy? You have an unorthodox opinion and you're silenced. Try something new and you're laughed at. We have no idea what you could be without the mediocrity that is so ingrained in us. This is my call, my call to you. Stop being afraid. You can't afford it. The world needs bold people. You are here for such a brief time on this planet. How do you want to live like a sheep? If fear is to be your driving force, let it be the fear of missing out, of not reaching your potential, the fear of being average.

The opportunities are great for the bold. The timid are waiting for something to happen without the intent to make it so. These people are always reactive to their circumstances, always behind. Decide to be proactive. The average American doesn't believe they can learn to speed read, outperform hedge funds or reverse joint pain. None of these things are exclusive to the elites. Now more than ever, we need people to believe. Believe in their country, their brother and sister, that capacity is a state of mind. Peter Thiel once said that Courage is in shorter supply then genius, and he was right. I know it's scary, it's hard, but that's why you must do it because all growth is a leap. Our fear points us like a compass towards what needs to be done to advance own evolution. Your combination of DNA has never come into existence. No one will ever have your unique experiences. Every fiber in your body is telling you - your unique. Calling you to live a unique life.

The only limits you have on your potential were put on you by a society that stopped believing. You settled for good when great is your birthright. If you could achieve anything you wanted, what would you achieve? Do you want to lose weight, start dunking, learn to speed read, or become a "genius"? You have to start dreaming again because dreams are the seeds of reality. Look around you. Your phone, your laptop, your clothes, your vehicle, even your toilet were once ideas before they came to life. Like a tree hides within an acorn, reality hides within your head. What do you believe to be possible? Why do you want to do it? What are you willing to go for? Everything meaningful comes first from your head (what do I believe is possible?), then moves to your heart (why does this matter to me?), and finally exits through your hands (who do I need to become or how do I get it done?). If you feel you’ve stopped executing on dreams, one of the h’s is missing.

Contrary to popular belief, our dreams should get bigger as we get older. When we were younger, we didn't know what was possible. Now we do. Growing up, I knew nothing about guys like Richard Branson, who has been a part of 30+ companies, gone to space, and donated millions of dollars. I knew no one like Bo Jackson, who went pro in two sports. I didn't know it was possible to read 600 words in a minute (the world record is 25K in an hour). I didn't know there was a blueprint to becoming a super athlete. You get the idea, the older we get, the more we learn what is possible. That is why our dreams should get bigger.

How to remove limits:

Adapt a growth mindset—look at challenges as opportunities.

Learn what’s possible—Study ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary things. (I recommend giving Ben Patrick a follow-on YouTube and Instagram.) Read Limitless by Jim Kwik and Ultralearning by Scott Young. These two books will shift your perception of what is possible.

Push yourself —Don't wait for life to put you in a situation that forces your evolution; force yourself to evolve by accepting challenges. The 15 invaluable laws of growth by John Maxwell is a good read to understand what it takes to grow. (Here’s a summary)

Show up – You can plan for as long as you want, but if you don’t show up, you don’t grow.

Conclusion / closing

Great is your birthright. Everyday life calls you to come closer to your potential, but you must answer the call. Or at least, answer it more times than you decline it.

With sincerity and gratitude

Your friend

Kene Ezeaputa