“Potential” Is Present
Why do we think of potential in future-tense?
The word “potential” is usually thought of as imagined possibility. It’s what we might be able to do, achieve, or become, someday.
I recently learned the opposite. Potential is present. Both present within, and present-tense.
When it’s thought of in future-tense, potential becomes something to work toward, not with. This perspective can be a bit discouraging. It turns potential into a distant goalpost, another thing on the checklist that we lack and need to attain. While setting goals is great to keep focused, thinking of potential that way can make us feel incapable as we are.
But for potential to be recognized, it must already exist within us.
If someone recognizes potential in you, they aren’t seeing something you need to chase or attain. They’re seeing the core traits and skills you embody, the tools you already have.
This understanding came to me while listening to 100 Ways to Create Wealth by Sam Beckford and Steve Chandler. The book talks a lot about inner selves and challenges our perceptions on what we’re capable of. A line about potential clicked with me and made me reflect. I started to see stark differences in how it’s communicated and realized how empowering it can be.
The Value of Communicating Potential
My boss is great at recognizing potential in others. He recognizes potential not only as future-tense possibilities, but also names the present traits and attributes he sees. He wouldn’t just say, “I see the potential for you to make huge improvements to (xyz),” but also, “because you’re smart and have a knack for creative thinking.” The former is possibility. The latter highlights potentials that currently and actively exist. It’s no wonder he makes others feel motivated and capable.
Comments about our potential can catch us off guard. I initially wasn’t used to hearing someone express potential in that way, so it made quite a big impression. His way of communicating bypasses limiting mindsets around potential. Once I realized how and why it was so effective, I was inspired to try to do the same for others.
Most of us aren’t as conscious of how we express potential to others. We might feel like the traits related to what we’re communicating are obvious. But “you have the potential to succeed with (xyz),” is a lot more impactful when followed with, “because you’re consistent, driven, and decisive.”
We can all underestimate and sell ourselves short due to restrictive mindsets. Others can see things within us that we cannot. They can bring potentials to light that we hadn’t recognized within ourselves. And we can do the same for them. Recognizing potential within ourselves and others lifts us up and helps us all grow.
Contemplating potential made me appreciate the people I surround myself with and the insights they share. It inspired me to recognize and nurture potentials within myself and others (and communicate it effectively).
Embracing this helped me shift my mindset on potential, from a possible future to a present reality.