We don’t always recognize our achievements or know exactly what we’re capable of.
It takes the people who know us best to show us just how capable we are and how much we’ve achieved.
I sometimes find myself panicking about life passing me by and not making much progress, and that’s when my therapist points out all the things I’ve achieved over the years and just how much I’ve grown.
With that in mind, I’m going to share with you 15 signs that show that you too are more capable than you realize:
1) You take risks
The thing about risks is that they represent different things for different people.
We all have different comfort zones and life circumstances. So for example, for one person, taking a risk would be investing a million dollars in a start-up, and for another, it would be quitting a job they hate after 15 years in the hope of finding something better.
So ask yourself: Do you take risks?
Years ago I took a big risk when I left the safety of my parent’s home and moved abroad to make a documentary.
I totally got out of my comfort zone but it was an amazing experience – I met so many interesting people, learned so much about myself and the world around me, and ended up meeting the guy I married!
Turns out I was more capable than I gave myself credit for.
2) You learn from your mistakes
You’re probably wondering how learning from your mistakes makes you capable.
Well, I’ll tell you how.
In order to learn from your mistakes, you first have to be capable of recognizing them. Once you’ve done that, you can work to understand what went wrong in the first place and take the necessary steps to avoid making the same mistakes twice.
See what I mean?
3) You’re able to think critically
Being able to think critically is a pretty big deal if you ask me. It means that you don’t just blindly follow the rest of the crowd.
It means that you take everything you hear with a grain of salt.
You’ll gather all the information available and come to your own conclusion.
In other words: You’re capable of thinking for yourself.
4) You’re able to bounce back from failure
Some people give up after a failure. And I get it, it can be hard to pick yourself up and believe in yourself once you’ve let yourself down.
And failure can be anything from a failed relationship to a failed exam or even losing your job. But the thing is, failure is normal and happens to everyone.
In fact, in order to succeed, you have to fail from time to time.
So, if you can bounce back from failure, no matter how hard it may be or how long it takes, then in my books, you’re capable of anything you set your mind on.
5) You don’t give up easily
Giving up is easy. Trust me, I know.
Sometimes life keeps throwing us curveballs and it takes a strong and capable person to keep going and not give up.
When you keep going even when all you wanna do is stay in bed and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist, it’s because you’re tougher than you think. You know what you want and you don’t back down easily.
Now, it may seem like no big deal to you, but trust me, it’s a pretty big deal.
6) You’re able to take on a task and see it through – no matter how hard it is
Being able to take on a task and see it through – no matter what – shows just how strong, resilient, determined, and able you are.
When it was time for me to go to university, I decided that I’d go and study art in France!
I thought that this would be a great and romantic adventure, but the reality was anything but.
First of all, I didn’t speak the language. So, after a long day of classes that I didn’t understand, I’d go home and copy a classmate’s notes. Then, I’d get my dictionary and translate everything. Only after I was done with that could I get started on my assignments!
Needless to say, I was exhausted.
But worst of all I think was the fact that I couldn’t communicate with my classmates.
It was a very lonely time.
After a while, I got very depressed and I just wanted to give up and go home.
And yet, I didn’t. I told myself that I was going to work hard and keep going until I got my degree, and I did.
I sometimes have to remind myself of what I went through and just how capable I actually am.
7) You’re open-minded
An open-minded person is a person who is flexible and capable of growth.
Basically, if you’re open-minded it means that you’re open to new ideas and like progress.
It also means that you respect other people’s opinions and choices, even when they differ from yours.
Wouldn’t it be great if more people were open-minded and less pig-headed?
8) You know your strengths and your weaknesses
Here’s the truth: It takes a very capable person to know when they can do something and when they can’t.
Knowing your strengths as well as your weaknesses is a great quality because it means that you don’t waste time trying to do something that you’re not suited to.
You stick to what you know best and that makes you very efficient and successful at what you do.
9) You’re self-sufficient
This means that you’re not afraid to take initiative and that you can make decisions on your own.
It means that you’re more than capable of completing your tasks and achieving your goals without the help of others.
But just because you’re self-sufficient, doesn’t mean that you can only work alone…
10) You’re able to work well with others
I mean, you do pretty well by yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work well with others too.
In fact, you do pretty well in a group because::
- You’re a team player
- You put the work first
- You’re happy to help others
- You’re not ego-centric
- You’re not afraid to ask for help
11) You’re eager to learn new things
Your thirst for knowledge is a sign of intelligence and ambition.
Your ability to learn new things is a valuable asset in any setting (professional or otherwise) because it means you’re capable of expanding your knowledge.
It means having the capacity to develop and grow, as well as adapt to changing situations.
12) You’re organized and can easily juggle multiple tasks
Look, it’s hard enough for some people to take on one task, let alone several.
Being organized and able to juggle several things at once is a sure sign of someone who is capable of managing both their time and their tasks effectively.
If you know how to set goals, prioritize tasks, and get things done – it’s because you’re a very capable person.
13) You can make friends anywhere you go
If you’re the type of person that can be thrown into a room full of people you don’t know and end up making friends with half of them, it shows that you’re capable of fitting in wherever you go.
Whether it’s the farmer’s market or a party at your partner’s firm, you have no trouble mingling and getting to know people.
This is a great trait to have and not everyone would do as well as you in similar situations.
14) People turn to you for advice
Have you noticed that a lot of your friends, co-workers, and family members keep coming to you for advice?
And why do you think that is?
It’s because they look up to you. They know exactly what you’re capable of and they trust that your advice will be exactly what they need.
So if other people can see it, why can’t you?
15) You’ve made it this far
Well, you have!
Think about all the obstacles in life that you had to overcome.
The fact that you made it and that you’re still standing goes to show just how capable you really are.
You may not always realize it – I certainly don’t – but trust me, you’re obviously more capable than you give yourself credit for so cut yourself some slack.