Creating a Foundation: The Dilemma of Human Potential

A human being consists of many forces and potentialities. Each individual has many possibilities and limitations endowed by circumstances. A person may be likened to an automobile with a top speed of 100 miles per hour. To start the car, the ignition key has to be inserted. Fail to do this, and the car will never start normally. Next you have to turn the ignition key, start the engine, and then start to accelerate. Finally, you begin to steer, moving in your desired direction within the limits of the local driving code.nnMost cars will reach their top speed of 100 miles per hour only rarely because of speed limits imposed by the state. Likewise, if circumstances are not favorable, even the most gifted individual may never realize his or her full potential.nnThe stage of development where we are when we undertake a project is very important because our priorities and commitments at that stage will demand our attention and determine what concentration of our total focus is available. Wishful thinking alone will not solve a pressing problem and help us complete a project successfully. Dreaming alone is not enough. When backed by personal concerted efforts, dreams transform a warrior into a conqueror.nnZones of Human PotentialnnIf you are between the ages of 21 and 50 (Zone A: high energy) you are in great shape because at this position you have the advantages a very high IQ, a maximum energy level, enthusiasm, an adventurous spirit, and so forth. This position increases the chances of your success in any project by about 90 percent. nHowever, if you are between the ages of 28 and 50 (Zone B: high energy plus knowledge), you have somewhat more experience, knowledge, sobriety of mind, and contacts. These factors help to temper the qualities of Zone A. nnIf you are between the ages of 57 and 100 (Zone C: mental maturity and resources), you may not have as much energy, but you do have maturity of mind, resources, and added experience and an increased number of contacts, even though you may not work as hard physically. But you have gathered knowledge, which will be your greatest ally, and patience, another very valuable asset. You are more likely to be careful about where you invest your money, energy, and other valuable resources.nnUsing Your PotentialnnIt does not suffice to merely have potential. You have to do something with it. Talent alone, however great, will not achieve anything unless it is matched with other pertinent factors. Performance will depend on the demands made by situations and on the level of cooperation of the people in your orbit in fulfilling those demands. Most people, I have found, utilize only a part of their potential because they do not find themselves in conducive circumstances; most of their faculties lie dormant because these people are not compelled by circumstances.nnIt is not enough just to want to do something, either. What makes us act? Let us take the case of a motorcycle. Some machines start with one kick; others need two or three. We humans are similar. Some of us need merely a hint to react to a situation, while others need to be goaded and get kicked many times before they take action. Why? Different strokes for different folks.nnReaction time varies from person to person, depending on constitution and alertness. The degree to which our bodies cooperate with the mind, plus the commands given by the mind, explains the differing results. When the command given is in contradiction to a higher spiritual principle, a problem will arise, and the results will be delayed or may be unsatisfactory. Those of us who are highly developed souls have no conflict between what the soul wishes—its freedom—and what we wish to attain on the material plane. Sensitive people—those composed of higher vibrations—react quickly to any change in circumstances. But if the flesh is weak, though the spirit is willing, not much will be accomplished.nnLaying a FoundationnnBefore you decide to lay any foundation, review your zone (A, B, or C) and see where you are. nnKeep your personal affairs in order. Decide on ways to increase your financial worth. Decide on desired earnings, investments, and savings, and do other necessary financial planning. Decide on personal aims, desires, and motives.n nWe need education of various types to equip us to succeed in life. Academic knowledge is important but not necessarily a must. Many people in the past have done well without it. Some of the essential qualities of those who are successful or great follow:nn• Reliability n• Dependability n• Punctuality n• Faithfulness n• Sincerity n• Truthfulness n• Honesty n• Continuity of purposen• Concentration of mind on one project at a time n• Ambitionn• Passion for success n• Hard work n• Cheerfulness n• Decisiveness n• Imaginationn• Strong will to succeedn• Loyalty to people and aims pursuedn• Persistencen• Courage n• Generosityn• Faith in the future n• Readiness to make changes n• Kindnessn• Careful planning n• Friendlinessn• A positive mental attitude n• Optimismn• Compassion or sympathy for the less fortunate n• Inner joyn• Patiencen• Self-discipline and focusnnTake InitiativennSir Edmund Hillary was the first man who successfully climbed Mount Everest. To do so required unceasing zeal, enthusiasm, and faith in his own strength. Without these qualities he would have failed to reach the top. Overcoming obstacles is like leaping over a big ditch. During a horse-riding competition, the one who spurs the horse and gives him a big kick when it comes time to jump over a wide ditch will overcome the hurdle with ease. Those who hesitate end up in the ditch.nnWhenever there is a problem to be surmounted, give yourself a big kick (without hesitation!) to avoid falling in the ditches of life. Remember, fortune favors the brave. Train yourself to take calculated risks first, and you will be among those who mostly win. There is something very special about winning. The winner reaps two types of rewards: one in the form of money or a valuable object, the other an increased sense of self-worth, which goes up a few notches every time.nnThose who take the initiative have a 50-50 chance of succeeding in a project. Those who do not have a zero percent chance. No one always wins. We have to battle against odds at all times, but the right kind of effort is absolutely necessary. nnA lazy person will never go to heaven. The concept of success without effort violates a natural law. We can only succeed in the battle of life, provided we do our part. Those who are mentally and physically lazy generally blame God for not listening to their prayers, but God helps those who help themselves.nInitiative is the spark that incites us to action. The world owes a great deal to all those explorers who took initiative and risked their lives. Without their efforts, we might still believe that the earth is flat. Enthusiasm sets the fire ablaze; only enthusiasm releases enormous amounts of energy from the human body. Invest some time and take a journey within yourself to explore the capabilities you possess. Be totally honest, without any false modesty. The results will amaze you. It is a serious mistake to believe that we are helpless beings at the mercy of some external force. Humans are the highest creation of God, and to be like a god, we must first be fully human.nnMost people wrongly believe that higher goals are hard to achieve—harder than lesser ones, somehow—but this is not exactly true. The process involved in raising $1 million is almost the same as raising a $100,000. In order to make material progress, we must have a thorough knowledge of where we stand; we must review our specific achievements on material, intellectual, and spiritual levels in the past, plus the limitations of expectations we see as we look ahead to plan our goals for the future. A person who does not bother to take stock of life has little chance of success. Take stock today, and invest some energy in your own future. Every defeat should be taken as a challenge and every challenge as a test of our powers and mental prowess. It is only natural to become better—and then, finally, the best—if we keep trying.nn** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life”, visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/greatways3.html nn