How to reach your potential

Everyone talks about the difference between talent and hard work. Whether you have talent or not there is a game to play to reach your potential.

What does reaching potential actually mean? I think it is something that you can never reach. There is always an aspect of your life, work, or sporting capability etc. that you can improve on, even if you are already the best. Potential isn’t a tangible thing, although the progress can be felt through achievement. Once you hit a goal, it doesn’t stop. Development is an infinite game — it has no end.

It is the infinite nature of trying to reach my potential that makes it a worthwhile pursuit. It will never get old, there will always be something to get better at, whether it is myself, an idea, or an organisation. Daniel Coyle, in his book ‘The Culture Code’ defines development whilst making a distinction from performance reviews. He says ‘it is about identifying strengths and providing support and opportunities for growth.’ I think he defines it well, not just for personal development, but also for focusing on ideas, or leading change to improve an organisation. Sometimes knowing what or how something needs to develop is obvious. However, growth in general terms isn’t necessarily so easy to notice, and is by no means something that happens overnight.

Making Personal Development Happen

Many look for a defining moment to instigate change, or to start improving themselves, some even wait until the new year — if it is…