Ekaterina Voznesenskaia asks how big is your potential? How well do you know your skills and abilities? How well do you know yourself?
Most of us have ever had a feeling that we want to discover more, learn more, achieve more, succeed and grow even more. One day we strongly realise that the only biggest wish we have is to jump out of the comfort zone and rocket the sky.
We feel so much strength and energy inside, we feel the strongest wish and determination to change our life. And we all can.
“If you want to lead others, you first need to lead yourself”
We just need to believe in ourselves, believe in our talents.
Each of us, every single person in the world has unique brilliance, a unique talent, and it is crucial to realise your talent and your strengths, be aware of your skills and abilities and use your whole potential.
‘The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Aristotle has introduced the concept of entelechy. Entelechy means realisation of potentiality, the active realisation of power. Entelechy is within every living thing, within us, within every aspect of nature.
Aristotle uses the word to convey “the realisation or complete expression of some function; the condition in which a potentiality has become an actuality.”
Aristotle analysed the connection between the potential and the actual, he was looking into the stuff or elements of which each thing is composed and the form which makes it what it is. “The mere stuff or matter is not yet the real thing; it needs a certain form or essence or function to complete it.” The potential becomes the actual when we put our full focus, repeatedly and with emotion, on something we are doing, and then it will manifest itself.
‘Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential’ – Winston Churchill
Remember when we were kids, we all had dreams. We wanted to become a singer, a musician, a rock guitarist, a pilot or a cosmonaut. When we were thinking about our dream job as kids, we were so fulfilled, so happy and inspired, so motivated and determined to achieve this when we grow up.
For example, I was writing fairy tales as a kid and was telling my imaginary stories to my parents, and my mom still keeps a small book with these stories from my childhood. It is the most valuable and precious when we keep this passion and inspiration inside us, this inner strength that directs and helps go further.
This passion can change through years, and wishing to become a pilot or a cosmonaut as a kid, you later realise, you want to become a business coach, a business consultant or you have a fantastic business idea and thinking about your own business. This is crucial to understand your talents, know your passion and follow the path you have chosen yourself.
‘To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your path, and don’t worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightness. Always do what you are afraid to do’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you ask yourself: “How can I reach my potential?” or “How can I rise to the top?”, the answer is – there are no boundaries, no top. You are not reaching your potential; you are enriching it.
Enriching your heart, your mind, your spirit and your body. Enriching your skills, experience, your wisdom. Your greatness is within you. Let us disclose, explore, expand and enrich it. Sky is even not the limit. You never know what level your thoughts and intentions might reach. Maybe the universe?
‘Find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible’ – Deepak Chopra
How do we define the success? What is of a particular interest for us and in what area do we feel encouraged, motivated, fulfilled and inspired?
The truth is that we always know what we love and what we really want to do.
The only thing is that many of us feel like victims in the career, thinking that it might not the right time for changes, we will think about it later, there is no other choice or we are simply afraid of changes.
‘Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can’ – Richard Bach
If you want to lead others, you first need to lead yourself. If you want to know others, you first have to know yourself, said Lü Buwei. Some of us pretend to be strong, smart, successful, generous, experienced, happy and satisfied with what we are doing, especially when there are high expectations from the others.
We tend to make a good impression in order not to disappoint our family, friends, colleagues.
When we are choosing our career path, quite often we listen to advice and follow the path where our close people have gained success. When we make an important decision, in most cases we think about what impression we will make, what the others will think, how can it be perceived. We are thinking and worrying about the others, about all the external things around us, forgetting ourselves. Forgetting our inner world, our true self.
‘Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom’ – Aristotle
Now look inside yourself. What are you seeing? Who are you seeing? For some time forget everybody and be only with yourself. Think about your skills, your abilities, your strengths. What has made you especially happy and fulfilled these years? In what area do you think you could develop and grow personally filling fulfilment and satisfaction?
Bernhard Moestl in his book ‘Shaolin: How to Win Without Fighting’ has deeply looked into the idea “Who is the actual you?” The author has highlighted these critical questions: “What is the biggest thing you would like to achieve in life?”, “What makes you special as a person?”, “What is your biggest strength?”, “Will you become famous some day?”, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”. We usually answer questions at an interview and then most often forget about them. But how important it is to remember.
‘It isn’t where you came from; it’s where you’re going that counts’ – Ella Fitzgerald
Believe in yourself. Believe in the fact that you can create great things, as you are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine. We doubt ourselves sometimes, and we all do. But we have done many great things in our life that first seemed impossible, but now it is easy and we are experts.
When we are presented with an opportunity to do something big, some of us say: “I don’t have what it takes. I’m not good enough.”. Everything that seems impossible becomes easy, and when you are getting a fantastic opportunity, make the most of it. There might be no other second chance.
‘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
You might have a brilliant idea, but the others think it seems unrealistic. Try it. As this idea might bring you high above the mountains. Every journey starts with a small step and if you want to achieve something, start.
When you trust yourself and follow your heart, life starts supporting you. You are getting help on your way to your goal. People who created great things in the world, never did it alone. There is always some form of divine guidance.
Always believe in yourself, even if nobody believes in you. Always trust yourself and remember that sky is not the limit.
Written by Ekaterina Voznesenskaia
Published: 17 April, 2020
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