Man is limited, restricted, and contained by certain factors which include biological, cultural, eco
Economic, social, intellectual etc.
Every institution has the sole responsibility of limiting man. Some of these limitations could be positive ones. For instance,
Religion limits man. It limits or set boundaries and restrictions which aimed at enhancing our morality. Therefore, religion imposes limitations on sexual promiscuity, ensuring decorum.
A similar pattern is noticeable in laws of a given society. Laws restrict man's excesses and ensure that certain behaviours are identified as negative, discouraged and punished while other forms of behaviours are encouraged
It is therefore important to say that society exists to impose certain forms of restrictions or limitations on our deeds.
Secondly, expectations are what society requires of us. Our parents, siblings, friends expect us to behave in certain pattern. Also, they expect us to fit into, conform to their expectations. We also tend to fit ourselves into boxes society program and provide for us.
We are above all measured by measurements made by people. They expect us to be limited, to be normal, not to be more than our parents. When we are not exceptional, or when we do what is expected of us, we are seen as normal, but when you do what your parents, siblings, ancestors, clan, relatives have never done before, you are seen as abnormal.
Therefore, to fail is to be normal and to succeed or aspire to be great is abnormal.
To be abnormal or not to be is now the Question.
To break out of the expectations of others for you
To break out of the boxes society plants you in
To be what you are meant to be, you must do the needful
And below are some keys:
1. Know yourself
2. Dream dreams
3. Change your mindset
4. Acquire knowledge
5. Action rules the world
1. Know yourself
I have said earlier that I know myself more than any man. A philosopher once said, 'man, know thy self.' Another great philosopher said, 'don't you know that ye are gods?'
Let me quickly run through the five keys I itemised above
The greatest knowledge is knowing who you are, what you are meant to do and be.
You, discover, find your talents, develop and acquire skills and utilise them in serving humanity
Everyman is package with potentials. Everyman is a mine. In the depth of the mine gold, diamond, silver are buried. Everyman is a miner. He must search the depth of his being to find the potentials and resources buried in him. No external being can know all that are deposited in you. You must search, find, develop and utilise.
2.Dream dreams
One of the greatest strategist and economist of all times had a dream at age 17, Joseph. A doctor of philosophy once said 'I have a dream...' What is your dream.
To break out of societal expectations and limitations you must have an alternative dream which is contrary to the dream society has for you.
What do you see? When you see yourself in the mirror who do you see and what do you see? The difference between two people is not the colour of their skin, their sizes but the size and shape of their dreams.
You dream for yourself. You visualise the future for yourself and attain it for all. Those who actualise their dreams are celebrated by all. So have a dream and be restless until you attain it.
3. Change your mindset
Don't settle on the seat made by others. Make your own seat and sit on it.
When you look at life what do you see? Possibilities or impossibilities
Do you see the desert or the oasis hidden somewhere?
When you grow up with society that has programmed you to always think, ' it is impossible,' or 'I can't ' you need to consciously change your thinking pattern to 'it is possible' and 'I can..'
Tell yourself, 'I can because it has been done by others.'
Be the best in your career, field, or what you do. But greatness blooms from the mind. It is from the mind that poverty, failure and success spring
4. Acquire Knowledge
People point at Bill Gate Mike Zucgerbeck (sic) as drop outs who become millionaires. Brother and sister, these people acquire knowledge directly or indirectly.
They have doctors and intellectuals working for them. So, go to school.
Go to school. Get your WAEC!, degree, master, PhD
Acquire knowledge. A poet once said, -'i will follow knowledge like the sinking star beyond the utmost bound of human thought.'
Education is important, acquire all.
5. Action rules the world
A writer once said, 'faith without work is useless.'
Ideas, faith, dream, new mindset without acting, is dead. Decide to achieve new feats. Propose in your heart to be a success, to excel, to be great, to attain your dream. Everyday work towards becoming what you are meant to be.
Work, act, act and keep working. It is in working or acting that limitations and expectations are broken.