What happens inside you when you see names like Tony Robbins, Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, or Nelson Mandela? These are people who have impacted the world on a massive scale. If we are all chasing the "bones" in life we feel are important, then these are the "Big Dogs" who have chased big, important bones.
Tony Robbins focuses on personal empowerment. Oprah Winfrey champions living your best life. Nelson Mandela fought for freedom and justice. These leaders concerned themselves with monumental matters.
If you feel a powerful pull to play the game of life at a higher level when you see these examples, you are not alone. That yearning is your inner desire learning how to unlock your full potential and step into your true power.
Stop Settling and Awaken Your Inner Big Dog
Many people feel inspired to achieve greatness, but they look at their current life and feel stuck. You might already have a business or a career in motion, yet you look at world changers and ask, "Am I really doing all I could? Am I running with the big dogs, or just sitting on a cushion with the toy poodles?"
The good news is that you don’t have to completely change your external life to run with the big dogs. It is not just about serving millions of people; it is about how you live your daily life.
You have an Inner Big Dog. This is the part of you that feels your true potential, knows what you are truly capable of, and understands what it means to stand firmly in your values. This part of you is straining at the leash to go running. To unlock your full potential, you must give this inner leader a chance to run. This means believing in yourself, following your dreams, and stepping into a more expansive version of who you can be.
My Story: Overcoming the Fear of Showing Up Fully
I got bit by the "Big Dog Bug" after reading some inspirational biographies. Suddenly, I was convinced that I needed to change everything about my work to serve people on a massive scale. I wanted to write books and change the world, but the specifics were blurry.
I took some time to reflect and listen to my intuition. What I realized surprised me. Although I had big pictures of what I thought I should be doing, the real issue was that I wasn’t showing up fully in my current life. I was holding back, afraid to take the next step.
That is when it clicked: I was inspired by these massive public figures because their success mirrored my own internal yearning to show up fully in my life. Unlocking your potential starts exactly where you are right now.
Step-by-Step: How to Unlock Your Full Potential
If you want to stop holding back and start running with the big dogs of your industry, follow these essential steps:
1. Connect with Your Vision
You need a "Big Dog in the world" vision (how you want to impact others) and an "Inner Big Dog" vision (how you want to show up fully in your own being). Take time to dream, journal, and define both. Reflect on your strengths and unique qualities. Pay attention to where you feel the yearning to be "more" than what you feel you are now.
2. Assess Where You Are Right Now
As you get clearer on what feels possible for your Inner Big Dog, you’ll naturally become aware of where you still feel small. No matter what you feel about your current situation, try to be completely honest with yourself. You aren’t accepting defeat; you are just taking account of reality for the moment so you can change it.
3. Step into Your Full Power
Becoming a Big Dog isn’t about pushing away your weaknesses. It’s about recognizing your feelings of being small, being honest about them, and opening up to your hidden potential. Stepping into greatness is a continuous process of honesty and saying "Yes" to who you really are.
Conclusion: Ready for Greatness
Do I still want to be a Big Dog in the world-at-large? Sure, I wouldn’t mind. But I feel a much greater sense of practicality and presence in my own world by focusing on being fully me.
I know that if I show up fully in my own way, I’ll be realizing my true potential and contributing as much as I can. Focus on unlocking your internal power first, and when the world calls for you to run with the big dogs, you will be more than ready.
