DK Metcalf is a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He was the 32nd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL draft, where 8 wide receivers were drafted before him. His story is remarkable in that he made a list of his athletic weaknesses, developed by those who have the expertise to do so. The list became his mission, to prove the “experts” wrong. As a result, DK Metcalf is currently the leading receiver in the NFL.

Seeing a list of what others perceive to be our weaknesses is a gift and a curse, depending on the context. What we do with the information we receive is up to us. The beauty in all of this is that we have a choice. We can blame, justify, take action or, do nothing. We can create our own list of what type of human we want to be. That takes self-awareness and honesty.

“In our personal lives, if we do not develop our own self-awareness and become responsible for first creations, we empower other people and circumstances to shape our lives by default.” Stephen Covey

The fantastic news is you can write your narrative. You are the only one to impress here. When we derive our meaning from ourselves, from making our list, there is no one, no institution, no past, to blame. We own 100% of our results. That’s quite humbling, frustrating, and empowering.

“Take inventory of yourself, see if any remnants of fear are standing in your way. Then you may grow… because nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in your way.” Napoleon Hill

So if you are ready to take this journey of self-awareness, the first step is honesty. What’s on your list of improvements? No one knows better than you. Still not sure? Ask the people in your inner circle, those you trust the most, to list what they love the most about you and what they see as your areas of growth. Don’t just ask for the growth areas. You have tremendous gifts that you may not be aware. Take it for what it is. You may disagre, yet remember, it’s just information. What you do with that information is up to you.

See you at the top of the leader board.