"There is no heavier burden than an unfulfilled potential." — Charles Schulz
The word “potential” is used a lot, most often in discussions surrounding youth. It is a powerful concept that addresses what we "could be."
We're all born with potential, yet the bittersweet reality is that many of us, both young and old, die never fully tapping into what we could have become. While formal tests, self-reflection, and feedback from others provide insight into one's potential, such insight is often subjective and highly influenced by external factors such as environment, motivation, and life experiences.
We all know a Billy, who had the potential to be an elite athlete, but instead is spending his days shooting hoops on the cracked concrete of a prison yard, where he serves a life sentence for murder. Then there's Mary, the aspiring diva with a booming voice. However, the only solace she now knows is humming familiar tunes as she sits in her small, dimly lit room of a mental institution. And don't forget the Tim's of the world; the gifted musician whose guitar gathers dust in the corner of his cramped apartment, while he works a mundane, unfulfilling 9-to-5 job. Tim convinced himself long ago that his passion for music was merely a hobby.
Billy, Mary, and Tim were each gifted with potential and recognized their talents. However, recognition was not enough.
Potential is like a seed buried in the ground; the conditions must be right for it to grow. Optimizing it requires more than knowing your talents; you must intentionally develop those talents by setting small, measurable goals and regularly tracking your progress. Reaching your potential demands perseverance and the tenacity to embrace challenges and seek resources to help overcome obstacles. And. lastly, you must stay focused on your goals and keep your eye on the prize of self-fulfillment. Remaining focused is where many of us, including Billy, Mary, and Tim, often fall short.
Only a few individuals optimize their true potential; scientists estimate it to be less than 15%. The rest of us tend to behave like sheep, allowing ourselves to be herded into conformity. Self-doubt, the fear of failure and success, or comfort in the familiar, keeps us in the fold and prevents us from living our best lives.
But breaking away from the herd doesn't have to be complicated. All you need is something to anchor you, and that is where Self-Care practices come into the picture. They secure you by helping you avoid setting unrealistic goals (which usually lead to trouble when they aren't accomplished), and they keep you moving toward self-fulfillment.
Establishing daily Self-Care routines is a continuous journey of exploring the possibilities of what you can become. Had Billy engaged in Self-Care, he might have avoided prison and enduring the harsh reminders of the life he could have led as a star athlete. Self-Care would have motivated Tim to play his guitar daily, even if only for a few minutes, and moved him closer to the musician he pictured himself to be. And, Self-Care practices could well have restored Mary’s self-confidence and energized her to blaze her own trail as a renowned vocalist.
Optimizing your potential is not some elusive desire. It is simply knowing what you want to become and committing to Self-Care practices that put wings on your dreams, one small change at a time!
Are you living up to your true potential? If not, do you want help getting started? If so, I'm here to help with one-on-one coaching or workshops. Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com. Catch up on my Self-Care tips at www.myrtlerussell.com/blog.
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