Tap Into Your True Potential

By NELRESSA MONIQUE

Ever wondered you were getting the most out of life? Many people get to the point of stagnation in day-to-day life; they would now want to start something new. This is usually a key sign that a certain amount of potential is not being used, or needs to be discovered. 

I met a woman named Yuong Ju, recently. She’d begun a new career by exploring her favourite hobbies. What was special was that she was earning a great income just by finding joy and enthusiasm from her work. She endured what she called a “dull and lifeless” career for many years just to please her parents. It was actually her parents that wanted her to pursue accounting after graduating from University.

After years of frustration at work, she left a stable career and found the courage to create income from her favourite hobby -- interior design and sketching. Simply by doing what she loved, Yuong Ju earned more in the past year than she'd earned in ten years as an accountant at her old firm.

Her love for art, drawing, and design led her to become a furniture designer/interior decorator for a custom designs kitchen company. Every week, she sketches her designs. They gradually come to life and are sold to office buildings, schools, churches, and so on.

Yuong Ju worked with her design firm for four short years before quickly moving up the ladder of success and self-fulfilment. Even though it took her close to 13 years to finally tap into her potential, her patience paid off substantially. Had she ignored her talents and stayed with her job, she never would have had the chance to explore her given potential. The urge to leave a job at any time is always a definite “tell-tell” sign that your true potential is not being met yet -- always listen to your heart. 

Photo Courtesy: www.relaxfeelgood.com

Much of our potential is evident during the early stages of life, mainly as children. For example, some kids can paint well, or draw beautiful art pieces, while others can watch choreography and minutes later dance as if they made the routine. But, what about those of us who haven’t found it yet? Don't worry, you haven't lost your lustre for life, you just need to tap into your potential surplus.

Many of us find our true potential years, or even decades, later. This can be unpleasant news for recent graduates wanting to earn at their highest potential -- though the sooner you explore your hidden talents, your true success will come sooner than expected. It will usually come in the sign of a hobby, or skill, that you enjoy doing best.       

Accepting Our Potential As Gift

It's common for many of us to wonder what it is like to be famous, or have a luxury lifestyle like the rich. But, wanting what others achieved isn't apart of our potential. We are all born with gifts and talents that give us positive energy. Each of our gifts are relevant to our time here on Earth. It can be that the rich possess skills or talents which brought them wealth.

Finding positive balance in life consists of accepting where we are currently placed in our life’s journey. Acceptance is proof of our greatest potential --- spiritual maturity. Whenever we can accept all things in our life [good or unpleasant] universally, we are accepting life. In return, our potential continues to show up and blossom more abundantly to ourselves and others.  

Like Yuong Ju, when we are young we are told to go to school, then college, along with earning a masters or, maybe, a doctorate. But, there is no guarantee for employment at any point. Even when we decide to get a career in select fields, where is the assurance that you will like it? This is not to discourage individuals to achieve their personal academic goals because education can help us learn more about our talents and skills. Practicing our work in life through church, organisations, volunteer efforts, or hobbies, can help us gain experience in the areas we are truly blessed in.

Tapping into our hidden reserve of potential can mean listening to the quiet message that speaks to us internally. It can be a difficult thing to master when we must find work to support our families. It may feel as if work is just income and no fun, or that peace from our born potential is not necessary. Generally, in life, there are no guarantees, and that’s okay, too. But, the “God-given” potential that we have inside us is a guarantee. We are all born unique with something special to offer in our lifetime; just take time to find yours and accept it.

Potential Forms

For obvious reasons, it is easy to see how some famous musicians, actors, painters, and dancers have found their potential. Maybe, as kids, they performed better than most in contests or talent showcases. But, what about a person whose greatest potential is healing and encouraging others? What child grows up to say, “I want to be an acupuncturist, or Reiki master, when I grow up?” Well, maybe, some extremely conscious beings, but not most children.

We need encouragement, love, and support from our parents. We may want to try out many types of activities before finding talents we are best in. If there are thousands of activities out there, it’s up to you to find out what you are good at doing. For those of us [including myself] who have hidden or unique talents that are not so apparent --- we can tap into our inner self to connect with our higher power. Potential for healing is special, but it comes in many different forms. Though musicians and writers also heal through their talents, a yoga instructor, or spiritual teacher, may use inner connectedness to perform their talents well. In either case, we should accept our gifts and share them with the world -- potential is not a personal possession.

Look Out For Signs

If you are seasoned in age and feel it’s too late to find your hidden talents, this is not true. The signs follow us throughout life and will continue to reappear in different variations and opportunities. Days when we feel “lucky,” or experience a perfect day, are most common signs of our potential at play. It floats throughout our day without us even knowing. Reflect on those days for more clues. Try to pay attention to the activities that brought you joy as well [Note: This is not temporary joy such as drinking a glass of wine, or sleeping late on a day-off]. The signs are given to us, but we tend to ignore them.

While at work, try to take notice of a particular task that brings you joy, or you enjoy doing. Part of what you notice may very well be one of your signs of your hidden potential. If you have the ability to make friends easily, or people enjoy being in your company, you may very well have the potential to attract others in a positive way. If you have the ability to motivate your team at work, then sharing good energy is your talent. As signs come in various forms, so does your potential.

What if our mind confuses an intriguing lifestyle for natural talent, such as wanting to become a movie star, or singer? We can keep a keen eye for learning what is best for us and not try to follow the crowd. For a moment, think back to the one hobby you were naturally good at, over the years, or fond of doing no matter how long it took; there's a clue for you.

Or, try to remember a pattern, or urge, to attempt something new over the years. To find the best of your potential, make a list of all things that bring you joy, or that you are good at doing. Write down the top five hobbies/skills/talents that come to mind. Concentrate, or meditate, on seeing yourself helping others in these acts and try to feel yourself enjoying these activities. See yourself gaining pleasure and wisdom for your services. Take the time to imagine getting paid for what you love. Hold that image for a few moments. Repeat this practice every week until it is real in your subconscious -- you deserve this. Take a moment to breathe and imagine. 

“10” To Accomplish

If you are still confused about finding your finest potential try answering the following question, but allow only 30 seconds to list the answers.

What are the ten things you would do if someone gave you US$100,000? Your job, bills and family all taken care of -- the only concern is to spend the money given to you. A banker is waiting right outside your door, but they can’t give you the money until you finish writing a list of what you will do to spend this money. Try not to use any vague answers; you must list ten items in 30 seconds.  

When finished, look at the list honestly. Usually, your personal goals should pop up on the list. Does it look familiar? Did anything surprise you? Do friends and family know about your heart’s desires, or is it a secret that you've shied away from telling? Most likely, this is your hidden potential that you may need to explore.

Go out and research about your potential. Find a mentor, or Google Search it, or volunteer within your field. Naturally, you will begin to find more clues and signs of your talent. Opportunities will come on your path. New people and ideas will introduce you to a more hidden potential. Soon, you'll look back, a month, maybe, a year later, and see the glorious change that sparks new life along your journey. If you are thinking about money, family or peers, holding you back, remember nothing can begin if you never do.

Find the strength to tap into your potential. Start right now.