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

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

In our journey through life, there are two states of being: surviving and thriving. While survival is essential for our existence, it is not enough to truly fulfill our potential. We have an innate desire to make something of ourselves beyond mere survival, to thrive in the world and leave a lasting impact. As the saying goes, "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be."

However, in today's complex and fast-paced world, it has become increasingly difficult to navigate our way towards reaching our true potential. Our lives have shifted from focusing on managing our physical survival to the emotional realm of consciousness, where we strive to maintain our sanity in the face of overwhelming information and distractions. Our media devices inundate us with more information than we could ever hope to absorb, much of it false or useless.

To truly reach our potential, we must embark on a journey of differentiation and integration. Differentiation involves discovering our individual values, while integration is the process of incorporating those values into our everyday actions. There are individuals who have exposed themselves to the complexities of the world, but have not done the necessary work to differentiate themselves and find their unique values. On the other hand, there are those who have discovered their values, but struggle to integrate them into a cohesive narrative.

One of the greatest advantages of the modern world is the democratization of information. Through the internet and libraries, we have access to an abundance of knowledge and wisdom. However, this abundance can only be a gift if we learn to harness its potential. The answers to our questions and the guidance we seek are already out there, waiting for us to take the initiative to find them and the courage to incorporate them into our lives.

Jordan Peterson, a renowned psychologist, offers valuable advice on how to become a genius. He emphasizes the importance of using tools like Google to access vast amounts of information. However, the challenge lies in effectively processing and remembering what we read. Peterson recommends using a web highlighter, such as Glass, to seamlessly highlight important text while reading. By spending a few minutes recapping these highlighted nuggets at the end of a study session, we can solidify them into our long-term memory.

In conclusion, reaching our true potential requires a combination of differentiation, integration, and the effective utilization of available resources. We must take the initiative to expose ourselves to the complexities of the world, discover our individual values, and integrate them into a coherent narrative. The democratization of information provides us with the tools we need, but it is up to us to seize the opportunity and incorporate the knowledge and wisdom we find into our lives. Before we part ways, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Take the time to reflect on your values and what truly matters to you. Differentiate yourself from the noise of the world and discover your unique path.

2. Embrace the abundance of information available to you. Use tools like Google and web highlighters to access and effectively process knowledge. Recap and reinforce important ideas to solidify them into your long-term memory.

3. Have the courage to integrate your values into your daily actions. Create a narrative that aligns with your true self and strive to live authentically.

Remember, you are the only person who can constantly look out for yourself. Embrace the journey of becoming who you are and unleash your full potential upon the world.