Take a moment and reflect on the following question.
Did you accomplish everything that you could have accomplished so far?
Stop reading, think about that question, and answer it honestly.
If you need help, here is a follow-up question.
What could you have accomplished so far in your life?
If you can’t answer that question, either you’re an extraordinary person, or you aren’t honest with yourself.
Let’s assume that you have answered that question honestly. The answer to that question is your potential so far. Here’s another follow-up question.
What kept you from realizing your potential so far?
That’s a critical question. Make sure you spend some time on that question. Take a pen and paper, and write down your answer.
- Is it lack of knowledge?
- Is it lack of connections?
- Is it lack of opportunities?
- Is it lack of courage?
- Is it lack of self-discipline?
If you don’t contemplate on these questions and do something about your answers, the same things will keep you from realizing your potential in the future.
One day, you’ll realize that you’re too old and your life is virtually over. You’ll look back at your life and feel the pain of all the things you could have done and accomplished. But it will be too late.
Do you remember that last day of a vacation or the final hours of a weekend? You wonder how time passed and how your vacation or weekend was over so quickly. The same thing is going to happen at the end of your life. You’ll wonder how fast time passed.
The way to avoid that feeling is to make the most of your life, to do your best to realize your potential.
Now, take a look at the list of the things that kept you from realizing your potential so far. Make a vow to eliminate them from your life. If you don’t do that, they’ll keep you from realizing your potential for the rest of your life.
- If lack of knowledge kept you from realizing your potential, promise yourself to learn whatever is needed.
- If it’s lack of connections, make a firm decision to build those connections.
- If it’s lack of opportunities, do whatever you can to create those opportunities.
- If it’s lack of courage, cultivate courage.
- If it’s lack of self-discipline, practice self-discipline.
Take the responsibility into your own hands and make a vow to do whatever it takes to realize your potential.
Here are two more questions.
- What are your accomplishments so far?
- What made you accomplish those goals?
Double down on your answers to the second question while eliminating everything that held you back so far. Do that, and see your life take off.
Burak BilginSoftware developer with a Ph.D. and 15 years of experience. I write daily on personal development and life lessons. Sign up to my email newsletter to receive a weekly overview of my latest content on personal development and life lessons.