It’s hard sometimes to recognize your potential. Many of us have been limited (or limited ourselves) to thinking of our identity in ways that often box us, and because of that never quite reach our full potential. Sometimes we just have beliefs about our worth that can cripple us, making it difficult to try new things or expand our horizons. There are a number of things that can often stop us from personal growth. These things could be internal and external, ranging from fear to life events. Sometimes it takes a major event to shake things up to the point where you are forced to get out of your comfort zone and see what you can really do, much like the stories of mothers who can lift cars when it comes to the safety and well being of their children.
Potential is defined as “latent qualities that may be developed and lead to future success and usefulness.” The keys here are “latent” and “develop.” Potential can be there in our careers, relationships, personal development and more. Sometimes, however, we can feel stuck in a rut or struggle with the belief in our potential, especially when it is an issue that we have been struggling with for a long time. In these cases our potential stays latent because we may have deemed that particular goal impossible, as well as questioned our ability to reach it. It is hard to develop what you don’t believe in.
Potential takes a belief in yourself. It requires us to have faith in who we are and our capabilities, especially when grappling with tough or longstanding issues. Low self confidence can often lead to fear to try new things or to reinvent ourselves, leaving potential impotent. There also may be external events in our lives that plague us, making it so we settle for less and succumb to staying in what is familiar.
Because potential must be developed we first have to put our minds and energy into a more positive and productive space. We cannot readily develop something when we cannot even see an outcome for the future. It takes a lot of introspection to see our future success. Maybe we need to try visualization, or perhaps we need to give ourselves a pep talk and review our success. One thing is certain–potential cannot become manifest until we first believe in who we are and what we can do.
By placing ourselves in new thinking, roles, and situations, we can start to challenge some of the old beliefs that we have held and confront some of those fears, attachments, and internal demons. This process can help us tap into that prime point of energy that expands and desires to create: The Potential Mind State. As we break out of our comfort zones, celebrate ourselves, who we are, and how far we have come, we train our mind to expect more. We start to become more confident in going after more.
So while there are many ways to explore your potential the first thing we need to understand is that it starts with believing in who we are. You have to determine where you are in developing the “potential mind state” and then take the necessary steps to develop it, remembering that development is a process of many layers and steps. It does not happen over night the same way a new building complex does not happen in a day. You could be at the building confidence phase, exploration phase, or action phase– but no matter what phase you are in make sure to congratulate yourself for spreading your wings and desiring to be an even greater you.