“The sky’s the limit” – a phrase that resonates with many of us, filled with opportunity, possibility, and limitless potential. But what does it really mean? Does it actually exist? And if so, how can we tap into this incredible promise of hope?
I subscribe to the belief that when we dream big and push beyond our perceived limits, we set ourselves up for success. Then when an opportunity presents itself, we are in the best position to benefit from it. Some call this Luck. I call it Preparation.
Most achievements start with a dream – a vision of what could be. Daring to imagine a world beyond its current reality. It is this vision that we can call on when times are tough and we need a boost to keep going.
Life always has its ups and downs. When I fall into a ‘dip’ the sense of possibility can feel unrealistic. The curse of being an artist is that limiting beliefs easily creep into my thoughts. I start to doubt I can pull off another decent painting. I fear that the galleries and art buyers got the wrong person. I start to think that the sky really isn’t the limit.
But the truth is, the sky is always the limit. It’s there for anyone who is willing to work hard and never give up. We only need to decide what it is we want and commit ourselves to achieving it. I painted two pieces that focused purely on sky, because the sky is the subject area I struggle with most. Clouds are so damn difficult (for me) to capture.
I doubted I could paint the sky, and I needed to know for sure. The irony is that there are hours of frustration behind the resulting images that are meant to look effortless, and should encapsulate the very essence of tranquility!
I needed to dig deep, to start believing in the power of my own potential and push beyond my perceived limitations. This means embracing challenges, asking for help, and never giving up in the face of failure. This is the Preparation. And Preparation plus Opportunity results in Success, (that looks a lot like luck.)
I know that success won’t happen overnight – it’ll be the result of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to push through obstacles. But the good news is that the sky really is the limit. We all have the power to achieve our wildest dreams, and with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.
