Potential.

Now this is a short but largely serious piece that maybe one day one of my grandchildren might read. It is all to do with the ‘potential’ each of us is born with and what we do with it.

My Headmaster at School was a man called John Gwilliam. For what ever reason I seemed to build a relationship with him that not only resulted in him helping me in practically in my life but also in giving me some great wisdom. I pass his wisdom on here.

John Gwilliam believed that everybody on earth is born with a set of capabilities and gifts. He also believed that most people failed to recognise their gifts and as a result squandered their opportunity and ‘potential’. For those who manage to recognise their particular set of ‘God given talents and do something about it’ (he was a religious man) opportunity awaits on a scale that few get to experience.

He was of course an intelligent man given his lifetime academic role but it was in sport that he had formulated a set of rules that transfer into everyday life. He was athletic and a large man such that his nation Wales’s national sport Rugby was something he was introduced to at an early age. As a young man he told me he would go to bed and dream of playing for Wales. He had heroes and he would watch them play and observe what they did and what made them the best. In time his progress on the field confirmed he had a future as he was selected for some representative teams. It was at this time that he told me of a very important formula he had discovered in order to make his ambition at the highest level a possibility. ‘I decided I wanted to be the best’ he told me, ‘and I sat down to work out what would make the best Rugby forward in the world’. He was big and mobile but he needs to learn to jump in order to catch the ball in the line outs. As a result he decide to take up skipping in order to be light on his feet and he described how he would work up and down his mother’s washing line leaping as high as he could and imagining himself heading a football, as he believed this would enhance his timing. He told me he would practice doing this for hours. He also wanted to be the fastest forward on the pitch and he decided to learn to run fast ‘downhill’. His logic was impeccable as he believed the velocity he gained from the relative lack of gravity would ensure his balance and actual running style would benefit. He ran down the road in his Welsh village hour after hour of course becoming, as a result, fabulously fit. This tale has a significant conclusion. In time John Gwilliam did play for Wales and what is more he captained the National team. He did so to win a triple crown but perhaps best of all he was the last Captain to lead Wales to victory over The All Blacks. Surveys of players did not exist back in the day but as far as rugby is concerned John Gwilliam lived up to his ‘potential’ and then some.

Of course, for those who would listen to him, his philosophy regarding rugby translates into real life.

I remember one Friday morning he was giving a lecture to the Sixth form on how to be ‘successful in life’. Most missed the point of what he said. Thankfully I did not. His message was threefold. First of all aim as high as you can. Be the best in your chosen field. Not ‘one of the best’ not ‘amongst the best’ the very best. If ever you bother to look at the really great companies in the world you will see that clearly defined in their corporate goal will be an intention to be at the very top of their chosen field. Secondly he encouraged the idea that in everything you do in aiming for your goal you need to do it to the very highest standard you can possibly think of.Thirdly and in some ways the most important of all, do what you do with an attitude that represents ‘doing the right thing’. Do not compromise and do not let those doubters or people who seek to take short cuts influence your drive and what ever you do be honest and upright as a person.

Interestingly only last week I was listening to a podcast in which the Head of The British Army was interviewed and his life pathway almost exactly mirrored this thesis.

When I look back on my own life I am happy to say that I took a lot of John Gwilliam advice on board. What ever success this grandson of a coal miner has had can be firmly identified as benefitting from approaching challenge based upon these three principles. In truth I now think that rather than making life difficult it does, looking back, make it way easier. If in any business your benchmark is ‘pre-eminence’ then taking ‘ordinary steps’ becomes a ‘no go’ so you don’t waste time. If you want to win at something then practicing for second place has no sense. Finally in the end your own soul will confirm or otherwise whether you have appoached life with a pure heart. For those who are interested my school motto was ‘Beati Mundo Corde’ another reason maybe while all of this made sense to me maybe.

I have of course passed on these words of wisdom to many but few interestingly have followed its message. To those who read this and have I suspect a moment of reflection might be in order. Well done by the way.

To those who read this and maybe recognise that they have not in fact lived up to their potential then perhaps it is not too late. In part anyway change your ways, aim high, set yourself the best of standards and behave with honour and integrity. It makes sense.