The Limitless Possibilities We Once Knew … and Will Find Again

A moment frozen in time. A snapshot of my childhood on a beach, where every grain of sand felt like a steppingstone toward endless opportunities. As kids, we didn’t fear failure, nor did we feel the weight of self-doubt. Every wave crashing against the shore felt like the start of a new adventure, waiting for us to dive in (the fact I couldn’t swim aside).

I was so sure of myself back then. Before I was even 10 years old, I could see myself becoming the next Dave Stieb (Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher), Gilbert Perreault (Buffalo Sabres Center), Pelé (Brazilian soccer star), or Evel Knievel (Stunt man). I didn’t see any limits. I could do it all, and more. The world was full of possibility, and I was ready to take it on.

In my early teens I spent hours thinking up new business ideas, dreaming of the next big invention. It wasn’t just fun; it was who I was – it defined me. Every idea felt like a golden ticket (Willy Wonka being my favorite movie as a child – long before the creepy Johnny Depp version) - an opportunity to create the world around me. There was no hesitation, no fear of failure, just the certainty that what I created would happen the moment I became an adult.?

But then came high school, a nightmare for most, that taught me what confidence really was - and, quite frankly, how much I lacked it. Suddenly, I was no longer the fearless kid on the beach. I was the awkward teenager, second-guessing everything, from my appearance to my ideas to my abilities.? This is when the excuses started - why my ideas weren't good enough or how could I possibly succeed if I wasn't even able to ask a girl out (weird correlation, but true).

Those small moments of doubt laid the foundation for bigger ones. The fear of failing started to overshadow the excitement of possibility.

When college arrived, things became even more real. The world started to narrow in ways I hadn’t anticipated. We were trained to follow the script; get a degree, find a job, work for the weekend (thank you, Loverboy, for that anthem of our generation!), and hopefully retire comfortably enough to enjoy the remaining days of doctor’s appointments and aches and pains. ?The idea of being a cog in the wheel of life, trudging along in a system where your true potential was stifled in exchange for stability, began to settle in.

We were all but told to accept our fates. Dreams were for the movies, and people like us had to be “realistic.” But somewhere, deep inside, that carefree belief from childhood still lingered, like a quiet whisper saying, “There’s more. There’s always more.”

And it’s that whisper, which I saw in brief glimpses throughout my career, but only have I come to understand again in the last 8 or 9 years. The journey from that kid on the beach to the person full of self-doubt, fears, and limitations, suddenly ran out of f**ks to give.? ?I stopped waiting for permission to dream big. And once I did, everything changed.?

It’s amazing how, as children, we instinctively trust in our boundless potential. We didn’t have limiting beliefs, and we weren’t taught to be afraid of failure. We believed in ourselves with a confidence that was unshakeable. So, where did that belief go?

Here’s the thing - it’s still there in all of us - just waiting to be rediscovered. So, I challenge you to dig deep and remember that feeling you had when you thought the world was yours for the taking. That unshakable belief in endless possibilities still exists. It’s not about dismissing the experiences we’ve had or the lessons we’ve learned. It’s about reconnecting with that belief that the world is still full of opportunities waiting to unfold.? After all – the only reason there are people who are successful – is because they embraced their inner child and tried.

So, just as that child on the beach saw each grain of sand as an opportunity, and every wave as a new adventure waiting to unfold, I encourage you to rediscover that same sense of limitless possibility. The world is still full of those opportunities - whether you’re starting a new project, venturing into uncharted territory, or simply rediscovering a forgotten dream. That unshakable belief in your potential, the same one you had as a child, is still there, quietly waiting for you to embrace it again. Take that first step - don't let doubt hold you back. The possibilities ahead are endless, and the adventure is yours to start.