We hear the word potential used a lot, knowing that it means having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future. It means it may be possible or probable.
Winston Churchill is quoted as saying “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”
This statement indicates if we continually keep trying we can reach our full potential, and that neither strength or intelligence come into play with us being able to do this.
Our efforts are often thwarted due to our lack of belief in ourselves leading to doubt and distractions away from our intentions on improving ourselves. Often this comes about because we listen to what others tell us.
You may have been one of those people who had ‘could try harder’ on your school record. It’s easier said than done not to listen to negative messages, either as a child or an adult. If we hear these things often enough, we start to believe they’re true, believing them to be fact.
“Think big and don’t listen to people who tell you it can’t be done. Life’s too short to think small.” – Tim Ferriss
We know we shouldn’t listen to others or believe what we hear. We know that we only have one life but if we have faith in our own abilities we can achieve great things.
Other reasons for us not reaching our potential or achieving our potential is fear; fear of doing something wrong or fear of failing.
“Great work is done by people who are not afraid to be great.” – Fernando Flores
Instead, we should continually push ourselves, outside of our comfort zone. We will never know what we’re capable of until we try.
“We’ll never know our full potential unless we push ourselves to find it.” – Travis Rice
So, what’s the message here? We need to never give up, always seek to improve ourselves, try something new, different, to see what we CAN do. We can only find this strength from within.
“Find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.” – Deepak Chopra
