A child taking ballet, tap, jazz, modern, learning to play the cello, on the swim team and getting straight A’s is told she is not doing enough, not fulfilling her potential, she needs to do more. 

A teenager in color guard for the band, show choir going to national competitions, while working at a vets office in the mornings, and working at a grocery store late at night and on weekends, still managing to keep good grades, is told she still is not doing enough and not reaching her potential. 

A young adult, working a minimum of 80 hours a week, investing in the stock market, owning and fixing up a boat, and trying to save up money for college, because she knows she is supposed to further her education, is still told, she is not doing enough and not reaching her potential.

A 25 year old woman, working full time, investing in the stock market, keeping a neat and clean apartment, and going to school full time, double majoring is now plagued by a voice in her head that she is not doing enough and will never reach her potential if she does not do more.

I never wanted to grow up to be robotic, always doing what we are told we should be doing, but that is how society wants us to be, so much for potential.