Becoming Who You Are: Why Don’t Most People Reach Their Potential?

Becoming Who You Are: Why Don’t Most People Reach Their Potential?

There are two states of being: surviving and thriving. As humans, we have an innate need to satisfy the requirements of survival. However, we also have a deeper desire to make something of ourselves beyond that, to thrive in the world. It is in this state of thriving that we feel like we are living up to our potential, to our true selves.

In our modern environment, our lives have become increasingly focused on managing ourselves in the emotional realm of consciousness rather than just the physical realm of the body. We are bombarded with information from our media devices, much of which is false or useless. This complexity can make it challenging to navigate and understand the world around us.

To truly reach our potential and live up to our true selves, we must undergo a process of differentiation and integration. Differentiation is the process of discovering our individual values, while integration is the narrative or meaning that drives those values into our day-to-day actions. Some people are integrated but not differentiated, meaning they haven't exposed themselves to the complexities surrounding them. On the other hand, some people are differentiated but not integrated, struggling to make their values cohere.

However, one of the great advantages of the modern world is the democratization of information. Through the internet and libraries, we have access to an abundance of information that can help us on our journey to reaching our potential. The answers we seek are already out there, waiting for us to take the initiative to find them and incorporate them into our lives.

Stop thinking about productivity, and start thinking about focus. Productivity is often seen as the ultimate goal, but true productivity is a byproduct of focus. Focus is a state of deep engagement with whatever we are focused on, existing outside of space and time. When we learn to enjoy and practice focus for its own sake, outcomes naturally increase in both quality and quantity.

Focus requires trust in ourselves and our judgment. It is a form of confidence, boundary-setting, and self-awareness. Trusting the voice that lists our priorities is essential for meaningful focus. By refusing to give in to insecurities and remaining true to our state of focus, we not only produce work that we feel proud of but also contribute to a lifelong practice of self-trust, confidence, and awareness.

Context switching and distractions can eat up a significant amount of our focused work time. Studies show that distraction can lead to a decrease in IQ. Instead of being frustrated by the fact that focus is a lifelong practice, we should treat it as an opportunity for self-growth. We should also be cautious of software that promises to automate our lives, as it may compete for our attention rather than protect it.

In the end, how we spend our time is how we spend our lives. To reach our potential and live up to our true selves, we must prioritize focus over productivity. By embracing focus as a state of deep engagement and trusting our judgment, we can navigate the complexities of the modern world and make the most of the abundance of information available to us.

Actionable advice:

• 1. Embrace focus as a practice: Learn to enjoy and practice focus for its own sake, rather than solely focusing on outcomes. This will naturally increase both the quality and quantity of your work.

• 2. Trust yourself and your judgment: Prioritize self-trust and confidence in your decision-making. Trust the voice that lists your priorities and remain true to your state of focus.

• 3. Protect your focus: Be mindful of distractions and context switching. Find ways to minimize distractions and create an environment that supports deep engagement with your work.

Incorporating these practices of focus into your life will help you reach your potential and live up to your true self. Remember, it's not about productivity alone, but about finding fulfillment and thriving in the world.