Category Archives: Potential

Lifes Tragedy

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“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”

—Benjamin Franklin, American Statesman & Founding Father

Image of Ben Franklin

Image from prachnhachivit.com

Benjamin Franklin lived an extraordinary life well into his 80’s. He considered each day precious in his personal growth efforts, and in his desire to contribute to the world.

Even so, he may have had regret, given today’s quote, that he did not realize even more of his potential.

EXERCISE:

How can you squeeze the most out of each day with a youthful spirit and the wisdom to pay your lessons and contributions forward?

“There’s no such thing as an overachiever…”

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“There’s no such thing as overachievers; there are only under estimators.”

—Author Unknown

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What is your potential for achievement?  Perhaps the better question is, “What is your perception of your potential?”

People never simply luck out and exceed their expectations. They have to work at it.

Too many people, on the other hand, have a more limited or modest view of what they can achieve. Even if they hit their mark, they are often shooting at a less than optimal target.

EXERCISE:

Where in either your personal or professional life is it appropriate, even necessary, to stretch and overestimate your capabilities to achieve your most highly desired objectives?

“Problems are in your life so that you can discover potentials that you didn’t even know you had.”

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“Problems are in your life so that you can discover potentials that you didn’t even know you had.”

– Barry Michels, self-help author

What exactly is a problem? We might describe it as a “source of perplexity, distress, or difficulty.” What is it that makes some issues a problem for some of us and not for others?

Perhaps some people who navigate their worlds with greater ease have simply addressed such matters and realized the potential within themselves to handle them.

Exercise:

Instead of looking at your professional and personal problems as “bad” and something to avoid, see each one in a new light as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Choose a problem you’re currently facing, and visit it in a new or different way to solve it.

Please consider replying to this message if you wish to share what you’ve accomplished.

“The potential that exists within us is limitless and largely untapped … when you think of limits, you create them.”

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“The potential that exists within us is limitless and largely untapped … when you think of limits, you create them.“

– Robert J. Kriegel and Louis Patler, business authors

Recently, I saw the new Star Trek movie, directed by J.J. Abrams. As an original fan of the series, I love the idea of boldly going where no man has gone before.

A key characteristic of Captain James T. Kirk is that he constantly challenges his limits, when those around him seem to insist on them. This quality is perhaps why we find his character so appealing. We, too, wish to have more excitement and adventure, to spice things up.

Exercise:

Where are you currently limiting yourself in your thinking and actions? If some of these limits were removed, where could you boldly go today and in the future?

Quote From psychologist and philosopher William James

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“Most people live – whether physically, intellectually or morally – in a very restricted circle of their potential being. We all have reservoirs of life to draw upon of which we do not dream.”

– William James, psychologist and philosopher

Most people discover that the reason they come to engage a coach is to live their lives beyond the restricted circle of their current perceived potential.

By discovering the reality of their own limited views of themselves, they can begin to expand this circle to explore and achieve a level of physical, intellectual and professional accomplishment that has been previously hidden from them.

Exercise:

To begin to discover the reservoirs of your life:

1. Observe the lives of others who you respect and admire for what they have achieved. Follow their lead.

2. Answer the following “fill-in-the-blank” question:

If I was twice as ______________ I would be able to achieve ___________________.

Please reach out to me at barry@dempcoaching.com to share your successes.