Unlocking Your Potential
March 28th, 2010 | 
Author:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous? But honestly, who are you to not be so?”
~Marianne Willamson
This beautiful quote from Marianne Williamson has made the rounds. Although inspirational and with some truth, I’m not convinced that it is the full truth about what keeps leaders from reaching their full potential.
Most of the leaders I know and work with dream of making a big impact in their organizations and communities (or world!). Many (though not all) have a healthy dose of self confidence. Most have been successful, however they define it, but they know that they have more in them – a potential that is not yet realized.
So behind closed doors – what do I hear from those leaders about what prevents them from reaching their full potential? What can they do about it? My two cents worth:
They allow the unknown to get in the way of making progress: How silly, really. The future is always unknown. A leader who is moving forward is willing to accept that, define the future in their way, and be adaptable when it isn’t exactly what they thought it would be.
What you can do if the unknown is stopping you Consider what your definition of the impossible future looks like and ask yourself: What is the best possible future that I can imagine?
They refuse to accept responsibility for their part: Even the best of us get caught up in the blame game; “there’s nothing we can do, it’s all those other guys who are keeping me from becoming great”. The possibilities are endless but when we are caught up in believing that our inability to move forward, we think all doors are closed.
What you can do if you are playing the blame game: Stop blaming others, turn that thought around and ask yourself: What can I do, regardless of what “they” are doing?
They are unable to break down the vision into actionable steps: Most leaders are big thinkers – a good thing. Yet often, they need some assistance in breaking down the vision of what it means to reach their full potential into smaller pieces that they can move forward on.
What you can do when taking action feels overwhelming: Think about what you can do, no matter, how small, to get started and ask yourself: What is the first step I can take?
They give up too soon: Most often this comes from not recognizing that we are our own biggest barriers to success; but it can also be caused by external barriers that we don’t know how to deal with. One of my favorite quotes is, “everything looks like a failure in the middle”. It takes persistence and dedication to possibility (reaching your full potential) to get through the middle.
What you can do to keep going: Consider the barriers to your success and ask yourself: What is it within you or external to you that is keeping you from achieving your potential? What will it take for you to break through these barriers? Who can help?
We are all powerful beyond imagination. Our potential is unbounded. What is the potential that you have yet to achieve? What’s stopping you?
Posted in 16 Responses to “Unlocking Your Potential”
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Hi Mary Jo,
Thanks for the questions (In both thought-full Thursday as well as Unlocking your potential). I just want to add one more thing to what you have mentioned. Many times we as leaders are overly satisfied with our achievements. This stops us from realizing our potential. I think we have to be ambitious and should not get carried away by our small achievements. At the same time we have to be cautious as their is a thin line between ambition and avarice.
I was at lunch a few weeks ago with a friend who asked me if I am afraid of success. I really didn’t know how to answer his question because I had never thought of it in those terms before. I think the truth is that I am more afraid of the unknown and the possibility of failure to take the steps to be successful. I know that I have the potential to be great, but he’s right. There is something that is holding me back from achieving it. Once again, great post.
I think being afraid of the unknown can often be a barrier to success especially when one has already achieved a certain level of success. Striking out into new areas can be a scary task when your risking something you’ve already worked hard to achieve. I think breaking the goals down into manageable steps can help.
Perceptive post Mary Jo. Thanks. Many times people need reminded that knowing the answer doesn’t count. Too often we give ourselves credit for our intentions. Once they break down the vision and identify “What is the first step I can take?” they find that if they take that step they gain confidence and power over their circumstances. Knowing what to do becomes a challenge – “What’s keeping you from doing it?”
Thanks again for the thoughtful post. Mike…
Samson, this is a great point. Wondering how you stay balanced in the sense that you’ve described? What tools or people help you not to be a victim of that tipping point between ambition and avarice?
Nicole, thank you for sharing that personal insight. You owe it to the world to step into your greatness!
Rich, yes, its always easy for us to rest on our laurels and not step into the unknown. I find it’s easier to step into the unknown when I have someone to take the journey with me – a team, a coach, a mentor……
Mike, I find it amazing what that first small step can sometimes accomplish, don’t you? Confidence, a feeling of taking responsibility, the beginning of conquering a challenge. All wonderful!
Very thoughtful post Mary Jo. I’ve constantly seen the unknown get in the way of progress in my industry. When a job can be considered on the line, many leaders will take the “safe” approach rather than take the path they feel would truly benefit the company. I’ve also found that breaking down the vision into actionable steps is really effective, especially in the technology industry. When things are too complex to fully understand the big picture, we focus on smaller pieces, until the big picture is clear.
Mary Jo,
I am rather new in my career. Not until recently have I realized the extent of one’s potential. When I was in college, I would be spiteful of my friends getting internships with large companies. I always blamed it on the college I attended; it wasn’t big enough, I didn’t have relatives to just hand a position or a company to me. I always blamed it on politics.
After undergraduate, politics played in my favor, a friend of the family just happened to be a partner in a large corporation in my hometown city. However, it dawned on me…I wanted to make my own path so I rejected the offer. My path moved me across the country to continue my education and to find a job. It allowed me to perfect my interviewing skills, make a reputation of my own (not from my family or college), and to eventually find an amazing job. The idea of unlocking my potential had started.
I know I am only a short distance in on my journey, but I can see the path just up ahead and I could have never imagined it. I am a firm believer in your post and the advice you have given. There is so much in front of me on this path (good and bad) that I cannot wait to learn from. Thank you for your encouragement and insight!
Yung, thanks for stopping by with your confirming words.
Kelsey, congratulationson taking responsibility for your own growth and development.It seems to me that you have a very bright future!
Sound thinking as always, Mary Jo…and so much more than two cents worth!
Only a seasoned coach and observer of the human condition such as you can sumarize this! Yet, it is so familiar to us all. Haven’t we all been there at some time or another? There is always a choice that can take you further, a choice you can make, regardless of circumstance! The trick is to find it and put it into action. Your tips here are a great way to do that!
Very insightful Mary Jo. I think it also points to the value of having a coach as well as partners (in whatever form that may take) who can keep you awake to your commitments and potential, hold up the mirror when appropriate, as well as provide support and encouragement as you venture into the unknown.
Monica and Susan, thanks for your kind words and your wonderful additions and wisdom!
My favorite part of this is accepting responsibility for your part. It is so easy to point a finger at someone else and blame others, because if you do that you remove the focus from yourself. But this is so bad. I have had so many bosses in the past that almost ruined their company because they refused to take responsibility for their actions and change a defect that they created. I think we would see much more positive progress in many different businesses if their leaders were to take a look at all your posts Mary Jo!
Nathaniel, I believe that we change ourselves first. The rest will follow.
Very inspirational post. Everyone is guilty of not reaching their potential at some point in time. In order to make a change in life one must first be aware of the need as well as what they can do to make that change. You provide both. However, your suggestions are not overwhelming and attainable.
Nice to be part of this great people. Mary Jo. You are doing a good job. God bless you for making me read this quote of yours. “everything looks like a failure in the middle”. It takes persistence and dedication to possibility (reaching your full potential) to get through the middle.
for a long time ive been asking my self why am i not completely happy with my life. im fortunate enough to be raised in a good family my goals in life is already set in stone but im missing something. i feel that if i unlock my potential i will acheive self satisfaction.
im trying to find answers