How to Go About Reaching Your Potential
Becoming the person you want to be is not always easy. Life has a nasty habit of getting in the way of our dreams and ambitions. We start off with the best of intentions, but over time, our plans to become a lawyer or study for a health care law degree online are put on to a back burner. Kids come along, we have financial responsibilities, and the ambition we had in our twenties becomes more and more diluted.
Some people reach their potential, but most people do not. Often it is down to the circumstances of our birth – anyone born into poverty has to work a thousand times harder to reach their potential than someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth. So how can you reach your potential?
We all have a lot of work to do to be the person we want to be. I once dreamed of doing a masters in health law, but instead I went to art school and painted for three years. Ultimately though, developing a clearer sense of self is perhaps more important than any academic qualifications you might choose to study for.
Be Happy
To be a better person, you have to learn to love yourself. Women especially are guilty of putting themselves down. We waste so much time criticizing our appearance, wishing we were thinner or ten kilos lighter. Self-worth comes from within. Do not pin your self-esteem to your appearance. You are so much more than the reflection you see in the mirror every day. Only you can make yourself happy.
Respect Others
People show respect to others when they are respectful in return. You will not get far in life if you disrespect others. Always be courteous in your interactions, even if the other person does not deserve it. This is not about them – it is about you and the type of person you are.
Be a Good Listener
There are those who speak and those who listen. To achieve your potential in life, learn to be a good listener. Listening carefully enables you to find out more about people. You will also learn more about the world around you. Good listeners make good friends and colleagues. Without good listening skills, you will struggle to reach your potential in the workplace and your interpersonal relationships will suffer.
It is OK to Be Wrong
We all make mistakes. The key to success is learning from your mistakes and accepting you are in the wrong. If you go through life with the firmly held belief that you are always right, then you will never learn anything. Do not be one of those people and don’t let your ego get in the way.
Be Patient
They say patience is a virtue. Be patient and wait for your moment. The more impatient you are, the more stressed you will be.
Successful people seek guidance from other successful people, so find a mentor and take their advice. That way you will achieve your potential and enjoy a prosperous, successful life.
