“On the Edge of Greatness”

About 6-7 years ago, I lunched with a collegue who was familiar with the outdoor industry, but really knew communications – especially media training and crisis comm. He intrigued me with his depth of knowledge and I certainly saw him as somewhat of a mentor. So he stunned me when, during this lunch, he said to me, “I see you are on the edge of greatness.”

Those words have stuck with me ever since. And, I’ll admit, plague me.

At that time, I did feel like a rising star at the network. I was heading up the communications dept, hiring people and making good & bad decisions for the network daily. Yeah, I agreed I was on the edge of greatness.

But of what? And where is that greatness? And what the hell does that even mean anyway?

Now that I run my own consulting business, I question – is this my greatness? Or am I still on the edge of being something great? Some might say this is it – I have reached mecca. But I don’t feel it. I don’t feel I have reached my true potential and that I could give so much more.

Random photo of me. Bonus points if you recognize this famous airport

Perhaps I am in the midst of a life lesson here and I won’t know the answer for a very long time. I sometimes regret I heard those words from my colleague’s mouth because it meant someone else saw something in me – and that now, I may or may not be living up to it.

Have you ever been privy to be on the receiving end of a compliment – or statement about you – that has startled you? Or even you wished you never heard it/they never said it? If so, please share because I hope I am not alone.

And maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehole. Please share!!