Improving Yourself: Scary or Superhero?

Ah yes, Halloween is upon us. Kids transform into their favorite characters and superheroes for just one night, and to the dismay of their parents, indulge in the sugar rush of free candy. It is a time when wearing costumes and makeup depicting caped crusaders, heroes, or animated characters can be a lot of fun and provide a chance to blow off some steam.  Perhaps it is during those early years that an interesting foundation is established: the ability to imagine and fantasize about possessing extra powers and do extraordinary things. It would be a much more compelling existence than the limitations of being a mere human.

For some, becoming something/someone else helps them escape their lives, and perhaps even from themselves and their identity. The powers and abilities of their super alter egos evoke feelings of control, higher self-esteem, adequacy, and purpose. 

Here is the irony, though: Imagination, visualization and fantasizing are unique abilities we human beings possess. And we do not need a costume to bring them to life. These are our SUPERPOWERS. Tapping into them will help reveal our potential. Mask and utility belt not required.

These abilities motivate us to be inspired, innovative and creative, while moving us toward improving ourselves, our relationships, and by extension, our world. John F. Kennedy’s powerful affirmation during his 1962 speech about landing a man on the moon and bringing him back safely, became a kind of healthy obsession. His speech not only inspired the struggling US space program to improve, but his words united the American people with the rest of the free world to root for its success. JFK’s challenge (pun alert) “launched” a campaign that set into motion a succession of scientific and engineering breakthroughs while revealing what can be achieved with a focused, courageous vision. Setbacks and tragedies along the way only made those behind this mission more intent on its success.

What about you? I’ve always believed that great things happen when good people believe in their own vision of their life and themselves, but they also act on it. Are you ready to embrace your skills, strengths, talents and create your own “We Choose to Go to the Moon” campaign? Are you ready to acknowledge the fears and limitations that have gotten in your way in the past, and work on improving them rather than succumbing to them? 

We live during a time in history that so much is possible and so much is available to us to help achieve our goals. Start today, pen and paper, and write them down; plan, strategize, build your support system, create timelines for your goals, focus on why you want them, and watch what happens. You can be your own superhero.