Have you ever played poker and found yourself staring at your hand, unsure of what you really have? I’ve been there, focused on trying to make a pair or three of a kind, only to realize later that I might have had a straight or a flush right in front of me the whole time.
I’ve found myself looking at my own life in the same way, concentrating on what I thought I could achieve based on what I already knew. I’d focus on the familiar—those achievements or qualifications I recognized—without noticing that there might be more potential there than I initially realized.
At this stage in life, it’s easy to feel like our options are limited, but I’ve learned that the skills and experiences we’ve gathered along the way might actually be the key to doing something we hadn’t thought was possible. Sometimes it just takes stepping back and seeing how we can use what we’ve got in new ways.
There have been times when I’ve doubted whether I could start something new or find a fresh sense of purpose. Maybe you’ve felt that way too—unqualified or just unsure of where to begin. But every so often, when I’ve taken a moment to reassess, I’ve discovered that I’m more capable than I first thought. Sometimes, it’s about recognizing the potential in the cards you already have. Other times, you might need to draw a card from the “dealer”—taking a class, getting a certification, or learning something new to complete your “flush.”
So, if you ever feel like you’re not seeing all the possibilities in your life, consider what cards you might be holding and not using to their fullest potential. Take a moment to reevaluate your hand, and you might just find that you’ve been holding a winning combination all along. Embracing this new outlook can lead to a fulfilling and exciting next chapter in life, helping you avoid the regrets that come from untapped potential and missed opportunities.
And remember, sometimes the most successful poker players aren’t the ones with the best cards—they’re the ones who know when to bluff. It’s okay to project confidence and take a chance, even when you’re not sure you’ve got it all figured out.