What You're Really Meant to Do

1. Define Your Own Success: Create Your Unique Path

This above all: to thine own self be true.

Unique potential over success. The key to achieving your aspirations lies not in "being a success" but rather in working to reach your unique potential. This requires creating your own definition of success rather than accepting one created by others. It involves developing a different mind-set and new work habits.

Personalized approach. Each person has unique skills, qualities, life stories, strengths, weaknesses, passions, anxieties, and idiosyncrasies. Recognizing this, it's logical that the ideal path would be somewhat different for each individual. Instead of mimicking others or conforming to societal definitions of success, focus on understanding yourself and creating a path that aligns with your unique attributes.

Long-term perspective. Reaching your potential is not a destination but a lifelong journey. It involves continuous self-discovery, skill development, and adaptation to changing circumstances. Embrace this process as an ongoing opportunity for growth and fulfillment, rather than a race to a predetermined finish line.

2. Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses Accurately

Reaching your potential is not a journey you can take all by yourself.

Self-awareness is crucial. Accurately assessing your strengths and weaknesses is fundamental to reaching your potential. Many people struggle with this, either overestimating their abilities or failing to recognize their true strengths. Regular self-assessment and seeking feedback from others are essential for developing this awareness.

Seek diverse feedback. To gain a comprehensive understanding of your skills:

• Solicit input from supervisors, peers, and subordinates
• Consider feedback from both professional and personal contexts
• Look for patterns in the feedback you receive
• Be open to constructive criticism and willing to address areas for improvement

Continuous improvement. Use your understanding of your strengths and weaknesses to:

• Focus on developing your strengths further
• Address weaknesses that may hinder your progress
• Align your career choices with your skill set
• Seek out opportunities that allow you to leverage your strengths while challenging you to grow

3. Find Your Passions to Fuel Your Career

Passion is the essential fuel that allows us to find a professional home, to hang in there, and to work through our weaknesses.

Passion drives performance. Highly effective people almost always say they love what they do. Passion is critical because reaching your full potential requires a combination of your heart and your head. It provides the motivation to overcome challenges, persist through difficulties, and continually improve your skills.

Discover your passions. To identify what truly excites you:

• Reflect on times when you were at your best and most engaged
• Consider what activities make you lose track of time
• Think about what topics or causes you naturally gravitate towards
• Experiment with different roles and responsibilities to see what resonates

Align passions with career. Once you've identified your passions:

• Look for ways to incorporate them into your current role
• Seek out career opportunities that align with your interests
• Consider how you can use your passions to add value in your field
• Be open to unconventional career paths that allow you to pursue your passions

4. Understand Your Life Story and Its Impact

You are the product of your past but the author of your future.

Life story shapes behavior. Your unique life experiences have a powerful impact on your emotions, perceptions, idiosyncrasies, assumptions, vulnerabilities, and mind-set. Understanding your life story is critical to managing yourself and employing techniques to reach your potential.

Analyze your narrative. To gain insight from your life story:

• Write down your basic life story chronologically
• Identify key events and experiences that have shaped you
• Recognize patterns in your behavior and decision-making
• Consider both your "success narrative" and "failure narrative"

Use insights for growth. Once you understand your life story:

• Identify how past experiences may be influencing current behaviors
• Recognize and challenge limiting beliefs stemming from your narrative
• Use your understanding to make more intentional choices aligned with your goals
• Leverage your unique experiences as strengths in your personal and professional life

5. Make the Most of Your Opportunities Through Communication

Communicating what you're doing and who you are is part of the job.

Proactive communication is key. Many professionals fail to realize their potential because they don't effectively communicate their aspirations, achievements, and challenges. Taking ownership of your career development requires clear and proactive communication with supervisors, colleagues, and mentors.

Strategies for effective communication:

• Regularly update your boss on your progress and goals
• Seek feedback on your performance and areas for improvement
• Clearly articulate your career aspirations to those who can help you achieve them
• Share your successes and challenges in a constructive manner
• Ask questions and seek clarification when needed

Focus on key tasks. Identify the top three tasks critical to success in your current role and ensure you're dedicating sufficient time and energy to them. Regularly reassess these priorities as your job evolves and communicate any changes in focus to your superiors.

6. Develop Character and Leadership for Greater Impact

Leadership is the ability to figure out what you believe and then summon the courage to appropriately act on those beliefs.

Character drives success. Developing strong character and leadership qualities can elevate your performance from good to great. This involves figuring out what you believe, having the courage to act on those beliefs, and focusing on adding value to your organization and positively impacting others.

Key leadership behaviors:

• Act like an owner of your organization, thinking beyond your immediate role
• Develop and articulate your convictions, even when they may be unpopular
• Help others without expecting immediate personal gain
• Give credit to others and focus on team success
• Maintain ethical boundaries and act with integrity

Cultivate an ownership mindset. Approach your work as if you own the company, considering the broader impact of your decisions and actions. This perspective can help you make more meaningful contributions and stand out as a leader, regardless of your formal position.

7. Build Strong Relationships to Support Your Journey

One of the biggest impediments to reaching your potential is isolation.

Relationships are crucial. Developing strong, mutually beneficial relationships is essential for reaching your potential. These connections provide support, feedback, and diverse perspectives that can help you navigate challenges and make better decisions.

Build a support network. Cultivate relationships with:

• Mentors who can provide guidance and wisdom
• Peers who can offer support and collaboration
• Subordinates who can provide valuable feedback and perspective
• Experts in various fields who can offer specialized knowledge
• Friends and family who can provide emotional support

Nurture relationships effectively:

• Practice self-disclosure to help others understand you better
• Show genuine interest in others through active listening and inquiry
• Be willing to ask for and offer advice
• Maintain regular contact and invest time in building trust
• Choose appropriate communication modes for different situations

Overcome isolation. Recognize that isolation can hinder your growth and decision-making. Actively work to build and maintain relationships, even when it feels uncomfortable or time-consuming. The perspectives and support gained from these connections are invaluable for reaching your full potential.

Last updated: October 5, 2024