Listen up, kids. I’m about to share a secret that can change your life: belief comes before ability. It’s not just some feel-good nonsense. It’s a powerful truth that can propel you to heights you never thought possible.

You’ve got incredible talents. God-given gifts that are uniquely yours. But here’s the kicker—these gifts are useless if you don’t believe in them. They’re like seeds that never get planted. And that’s a damn shame.

Think about it. If you don’t believe you can do something, will you even try? And if you do try, will you give it your all? Hell no. You’ll find excuses to fail. But if you believe in yourself? That’s when the magic happens.

The Bible says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Your beliefs shape your reality. If you think you’re capable of greatness, guess what? You’ll act like it. And more often than not, you’ll achieve it.

Look at Thomas Edison. The guy failed thousands of times before he got the light bulb right. What kept him going? His unshakable belief that he could do it. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” That’s the kind of mindset that changes the world.

Now let me add something Jeff Bezos once said: “It’s generally human nature to overestimate risk and underestimate potential.” Think about that for a second. Most people are so afraid of what could go wrong that they never stop to consider what could go right. They overestimate the risks of trying and underestimate the incredible opportunities waiting on the other side of their fears.

This is why self-belief is so important—it gives you the courage to take those risks and see the potential in yourself and your actions. Sure, there’s always a chance things won’t go as planned, but what if they do? What if believing in yourself opens doors you never even knew existed?

You might be thinking, “But Pop, what if I’m not naturally talented at something?” I’m calling BS on that one! You just haven’t found your talents yet. And here’s the beautiful truth: with the right mindset and enough grit, you can develop abilities you never thought possible.

Your potential isn’t set in stone. It’s like a muscle—the more you believe in it and work it, the stronger it gets. That’s what psychologists call a “growth mindset.” It’s about believing that your abilities can grow through hard work and dedication.

So how do you build this belief in yourself? Start by talking to yourself like you would to your best friend. Be kind, be encouraging. Set small goals and celebrate when you crush them. Surround yourself with people who believe in you—their faith in you will fuel your own.

When you fail—and trust me, failure is part of the game—don’t get discouraged. Learn from it. Each failure is just a stepping-stone to success.

Remember your past wins. Reflect on the times you kicked ass and took names. Visualize your future successes. See yourself achieving your goals. This isn’t just daydreaming—it’s mental preparation for greatness.

You were created with a purpose. You’ve got gifts that the world needs. Don’t waste them because you’re scared or doubtful. Believe in your potential. Have faith that with God’s help and your own determination, you can do remarkable things.

Face each challenge knowing you’ve got what it takes. Let your belief in yourself be the foundation for everything you do. Trust the process of growth and learning. Step out of your comfort zone—that’s where the good stuff happens.

And remember Bezos’ advice: stop overestimating risks and underestimating potential! The risks aren’t as big as they seem, and your potential is far greater than you realize.

You are capable of far more than you can imagine. Believe it, and you’ll see it come to pass. Now go out there and show the world what you’re made of.