Invisible Fences

I am a product of my environment. I get that. Born and raised in the rough and tough city of Camden, NJ. I was the oldest child of great, loving parents (my Dad was a truck driver and my Mom never got passed the 8th grade). But my Dad experienced a ton of tragic loss early in his life. When you couple that with the fact that we were always “broke,” it’s no wonder that my Dad was always “on guard.”

This environment definitely had an effect on me. Early in my adult life, I didn’t trust too many people. I was simply taught not to trust! It was “ingrained” in me. Because of this, when our kids came along, I evolved into “super provider.” To an extreme, I wanted to make sure that they were always safe, that we weren’t going to live “broke” and that they would have a great education that allowed them to follow their passion and to use their gifts.

Years ago in a past work life, I had a lot of travel time. One day, I was thinking; Am I limited to being a product of my environment? Or can I evolve? Am I destined to always be a non-trusting person? Will my family be destined to live in debt just as I did growing up?

Have you ever heard that little voice in your head that says that you cannot do something, or you aren't good enough or talented enough? I did many times.

One day, after I surprised even myself with a pretty effective presentation, I finally came to the conclusion that I don't have to listen to that voice any more! I just need to try. I need to listen to the other voice that is so often "drowned out". I need to listen to that encouraging voice that tells me that it may be uncomfortable at first, but just try. I need to believe the voice that says, "Glen, you can do so much more than you think you can do. You have been limiting yourself".

I now know that by stepping outside my comfort zone (even just a little), that I can accomplish things that I never thought that I could achieve. We all can!

Success is really just over the line. One step over the “it has always been this way line” is so much opportunity and possibility.

In our neighborhood, folks have underground magnetic fences for their dogs. I have heard it said that once dogs are trained, that if the fences are turned off, the dogs will stay in their yards even without the fence. They have been trained to go up to a certain line in the yard and not cross over.

This sort of illustrates how I used to think. I could do certain things but not everything. I was good at some things but I shouldn't try others.

The lesson I learned was that I don’t have to stay in my yard within the magnetic-dog fence area. In fact, the fence really isn’t there and never has been! I just somehow thought it was under the ground all of this time. Some voice or person told me there was a fence. But there is no fence! No limit! It was self-imposed.

If something is holding you back, take a step over the imaginary line and go. Trust me, you can do it.

Escape to freedom, to success, to possibilities.

Have a great weekend and may God bless you and yours.

Glen Cavallo is a 30+ year healthcare executive that has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen provides inspirational keynote speeches at regional, annual and awards meetings, serves in advisory and board positions for companies and helps to mentor and coach leaders in all areas of business.