Posted by Seeing your potential makes you optimistic about your future. Knowing you have it builds confidence, and gives birth to real possibility thinking. You begin to realize you do possess the capacity for success. Your potential is seen in your undeveloped qualities, and giftedness. Unlocking your potential is self-empowering, in that it drives your commitment to intentionally improve yourself, thus, increasing your effectiveness in what you do.
Potential – Everyone has it
I’m reminded of the GEICO commercial which depicts Pinocchio as a bad Motivational Speaker. He declared that when he looked around the room he saw nothing but untapped potential, and the people are encouraged until his nose begins growing. Being less than honest about seeing the untapped potential in the room, his statement about the people was accurate nonetheless. The fact is everyone has untapped potential, and it can be unlocked!
Your gifts may differ from others, but they’re perfectly suited for your life’s purpose. Great leaders are lifelong learners who’ve unlocked their potential and teach the teams they develop to do the same. The members maximize the effectiveness of the team. So, the Leader’s success becomes a win/win for everyone. That’s unlocking Potential!
Potential can be developed
You’ll face many challenges on your journey of personal development. It will take time and effort to meet and overcome them; but, your potential for growth increases with each victory. With patience and some old fashion mental toughness, you will rise to each occasion and continue growing and improving.
“Just because fate doesn’t deal you the right cards, it doesn’t mean you should give up. It just means you have to play the cards you get to their maximum potential.” – Les Brown
A healthy, realistic positive mental attitude, will serve you well on the road to achievement. Never allow obstacles and disadvantages to discourage you. Whether you stay at the table continuing to play the cards we’re dealt, or fold and walk away is your choice. Win or lose, your potential for growth increases if you learn something from the experience.
Developing Potential is a matter of Stewardship
How many times have you heard it said “we are our own worst enemy?” I think about Pogo the possum of comic strip fame created by Walt Kelly, who says “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Anyone serious about developing their potential as experienced the truth of this statement. How well you handle yourself will determine how well you’ll live our life, which directly impacts your potential for personal growth. Managing yourself is all about stewardship. The following will enable you to develop our potential.
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” (Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar)
Take Personal Responsibility
Your daily habits determine you degree of success. You cannot blame for the lack of personal development or opportunities on anyone or anything else. Many believe fate, others believe in luck. The truth is you and no one else is responsible for how well you play the hand you’re dealt. We must all face and address our own inward tendencies to act or respond the way we do to all that confronts us.
Be Intentional – Be Specific
You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. Be practical about personal growth—literally put it on your calendar.” Be intentional about your daily routine, aligning it with your purpose. Choose a course of action that will take you where we want to go. For instance, if I want to drive from New York to Chicago I-95 South will not get me there, but I-80 West will. To develop your potential you must be intentional about your choices. Think through your choice of books you read, the friends you keep, how you spend your time, and so on. Each of these will take you closer or further away from your desired destination.
“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be established in all your ways.” Solomon
Be an Intentional Lifelong Learner
I cannot overstate the value of becoming an intentional lifelong learner. It’s written that Socrates at his trial said “The unexamined life is not worth living,” that’s wise advice. Wisdom literally means “practical skillful living.” It’s important to assess and improve your skills in the light of your purpose, applying everything you learn as soon as possible.
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.” – Albert Schweitzer
Over the years I’ve thought much about legacy. When it comes to personal development keep the end in view. You get only one life to live, so give it your best. People who leave an inspiring legacy from a life well lived, could not have done so without intentionally developing their own potential. So I encourage you to begin today unlocking your own. -JSP