With age comes wisdom, but that doesn’t mean you need to wait until you’re old and gray before you realize your true potential. Many people aren’t lucky enough to grow old and many of us are lucky enough to realize our potential early on.
If you’re stuck somewhere in the middle then there are ways we can help you realize your potential. A lot of the time, you just need to be reminded of the things that you already know, but have forgotten or just become too busy to seize hold of.
- You Have A Purpose
Every living person has a purpose in their life. It isn’t always a grand one and it won’t always be world changing, but if you live yours, it will be life changing. So, ask yourself this – are you made to bring others joy, to educate or inspire, to connect with others or connect them to each other, do you provoke thought or teach? Your purpose will fall into line with the gifts and talents you were born with and fulfill your greatest passions.
2. You Can’t Change People
While people are capable of change, it won’t be you that changes them. Change requires an internal shift, no external pressure will make a long-term difference. If you want to change something about yourself then you’ll need to look within to effect change. If someone you know is in need of change, there’s nothing you can do besides supporting him or her. Know when to cut ties with toxic people, they can hold you back from reaching your potential.
3. It’s A Process
Every once in a while you will experience a sudden change, whether you quit smoking cold turkey or make a big life decision. The majority of the time, though, change is gradual. You won’t realize your potential if you aren’t giving yourself space to try and fail. Part of the process is falling down, getting back up again, and making changes to prevent the fall from reoccurring.
4. Fear Is Inevitable
Fear can be negative, but you can take advantage of it in a positive way. Fear is often what holds us back from realizing our potential because we always ask ourselves what if, what if, what if… stop asking those questions, and learn how to push through those irrational fears that plague you and hold you back. Feel the fear but do it anyway.
“Overcoming fears is living life to the fullest.” – Anonymous
5. Milestones
It’s easy to find yourself caught up in a vicious cycle of nothingness. You don’t take action and the results don’t turn out like you want, which convinces you that you can’t succeed. Realizing your potential requires a plan and you need to set milestones to get you to where you want to be. Whether it’s a step you take each week or a monthly check-in, progress check-ins and small goals are a must.
In The End…
While some people spend their lives chasing happiness, others have come to the realization that happiness is a choice that we make within ourselves. Attaining material wealth and possessions is great, but it will not bring true happiness, and when you spend your time chasing those things in life you often feel glum once you’ve got them.
“Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion.” – Tony Hsieh
You’ve told yourself that buying that new car, getting that mortgage, earning a promotion, having a big wedding, will bring you the happiness that you crave. The truth is that while those milestones are amazing and wonderful, they are not going as fulfilling as realizing your potential and living in a way that brings it to fruition.
Embrace change, learn how to roll with the punches and be bold in your pursuit of realizing your potential.
Living your purpose is the key to leading a fulfilling life.
