There is no way to even estimate my “full potential”, and therefore no way to determine how far short of that I have always – must always – fall. But I don’t let it bother me too much any more, either. In fact, apart from questions such as this, it’s not even a consideration.
The notion of full potential is a moving target. If you lack confidence to do something, perhaps it is with good reason. If you tried, you’d fail badly. I suspect that lack of confidence is more an aid than a hindrance in most cases. But history can not be lived twice, so we’ll never know. Therefore, it is a useless concept.
I have the capability to reach my full potential although I have no idea what that is. External influences or circumstances may hinder my journey but fear or lack of confidence will not. If I become aware of myself holding back from trying something because of fear or lack of confidence it is usually enough to spur me on.
Fear definitely holds me back sometimes. It has gotten easier, yet harder at the same time the older I get. As a kid and young person in high school I was less afraid of failing. I have more confidence now, more wisdom…. but I have more of a desire to take care of myself – succeed – etc than ever…
If you didn’t care about the result, then faith wouldn’t matter. You could do what you decide to do and not care about some arbitrary standard of success. Do it because it is interesting to do, not because you need to achieve some standard of success. Then faith in yourself becomes irrelevant.
Easier said that done, I know, and yet, still worth doing.