It sounds like a gift. And sometimes, it is. But over time, it can start to feel heavy. Because no matter how much someone sees your potential, it still has to be you who acts on it. A mentor can open doors, share advice and make the case for your abilities in rooms you are not in. But they cannot carry the weight of your ambition for you.
It is easy to lean too much on that belief, especially when you are still figuring things out. You tell yourself you will rise to the occasion eventually. That you just need more time. And maybe you do. But there comes a point where the waiting stops looking like patience and starts looking like avoidance. You cannot stay in the shadow of someone else’s faith forever.
The thing about potential is that it expires if you do not do anything with it. Even the best mentors will start to pull back when they realize they are more invested in your growth than you are. Not out of disappointment. Out of respect. Because no one can want something on your behalf forever.