Following on from my previous newsletter (see below) here is the last instalment of 15 things I've learnt about human beings and success in 8,000 hours. Last newsletter was Learning  No. 14  Your response to failure is more important than the failure itself.

 

This week it's No. 15

Every human being can do more, be more and have more.

 

No-one is living to their fullest potential

 

 

I look back on my own life and remember times when I really believed I was not capable to achieving certain things. One that comes to mind is that I would not be successful in youth work. It seems ridiculous now looking back, knowing I founded one of the largest youth organisations in Australia and that I was a popular speaker at youth conferences. But there was a time when my belief this was something I couldn't do and influenced my decisions and limited my success. There was a time I didn't believe I could write a book or hold an audience of 5,000 people for an hour. How ridiculous. Imagine how my life would have been if I'd settled with those beliefs.

 

A psychologist, called Maslow, created a model that is still in use today regarding motivation which helps us understand the desire to be more, do and have more. There are both external and internal motivators that drive us up the 5 steps of his hierarchy to finally achieve self actualisation. Initially Maslow believed that self-actualizers were quite rare: "less than 1% of the adult population". At the top of the hierarchy, self actualisation, we are no longer motivated by external needs but have an internal source of motivation; seeking to excel and achieve our best.

  

Maslow believed self-actualizers were living up to their full potential, bringing their best selves into being. They were not motivated by greed and self-interest; they seemed socially responsible, devoted to moving humanity in a good direction, no doubt aware of the problems in the world, yet fully engaged with life and happy to be alive.

 

Full potential killers  

• Letting others limited perceptions determine your view of yourself.
• Self doubt.
• Conditioning by family and society.
• Comparing yourself with others you think are superior to you.
• Allowing emotions and others to rule your life.
• Accepting excuses or blaming others for lack of success
• Settling for the 'comfort zone' 
• Hanging around under-achievers and engaging in negative conversations.
• Focusing on our failures and mistakes instead of what they have taught us. 

 

Full potential enhancers 

• Belief. There is no substitute for a belief in self. Without that nothing happens.
• Reading inspiring books of others achievements. Believe you can do the same.
• Using your imagination to create possibilities.
• When someone or your own thoughts say you can't do something, challenge the validity of those statements or thoughts. Ask WHY? They are usually wrong. The only thing that is limiting you is your thinking/belief.
• Having a passion for life and living it to the full.
• Positive affirmations about who we can become.
• Accepting challenges and taking risks.
• Reminding ourselves of times of our successes
• Did I mention self belief? Without that nothing happens. 

 

So I guess the question is, 'What would your life look like if you were really living to your full potential?"

Any questions? Just email me anthony@anthonvennbrown.com or discuss on my facebook wall.

 

Anthony Venn-Brown 

Coach - Author - Speaker

+61 (0)416 015 231

  

 

  

     

 

I came to coaching without really knowing what it'd be like or how it would benefit me. I came because I felt I was stuck in life, and lacked direction. I had things I was passionate about but needed them to be defined and prioritised. Basically, I felt like a jet plane on the tarmac, with engines roaring but no definite destination...and how can a plane take off without knowing where it's going?

 

Coaching launched me into an experience where I was forced to answer deep questions about my self. This wasn't an easy task for me, as I'd mostly been functioning on auto-pilot. I'd never been one to set goals and dream dreams, but I set about the task of doing just that. This was challenging for me, but having someone walking me through the process, and giving suggestions and encouragement along the way, really helped. Discovering my values and beliefs brought clarification to what my purpose is, and gave me the "why" for the things I do. Writing the three letters formulated my future in a way I wouldn't have thought possible. It made goal setting so simple.

 

Now I am able to explain what my values in life are, and how those values reveal to me what my purpose in life is. Writing down my dreams and wishes is an exercise not to be underestimated. I found that, before too long, some of them were being realised. I have grown in motivation, purpose, enthusiasm and I have a desire to excel in life. I now know where I'm heading. I have a destination and my course is mapped out before me. I am a confident person who knows what she wants to achieve.

 

Coaching was more than I could ever have imagined it to be and I'm glad I did the Dare to be Your Best program.

 

Sue Hatcher

 

1. Anything is possible - the biggest hindrance to that are the limitations we place on ourselves   
2. Nothing happens without action - small steps are better than doing nothing  
3. Plans and strategies make your action more effective - fail to plan; plan to fail  
4. Success is simple - life wasn't meant to be complicated  
5. Commitment and persistence is what takes you to the finishing line - quitters never win; winners never quit  
6. If you don' reward yourself you'll burnout - celebrate your successes  
7. Accountability is the missing link in the personal development industry - ask anyone who uses a personal trainer  
8. Without a compelling future your life progress is greatly reduced - a blank canvass will keep you stuck   
9. There is no such thing as bad self awareness - understanding your weaknesses is as important as knowing your strengths
10. Being present ensures your life will be more enjoyable - turn off auto-pilot and begin living consciously  
11. Everyone needs to define success for themselves - don't let others determine how your life turns out  
12. For every obstacle there will always be several options to overcome it - creative thinking finds solutions  
13. It's essential to write down the goals and dreams you have and review them regularly - a great key to success  
14. Sh*t happens.....deal with it anyway - facing challenges makes you stronger  
15. Every human being can do more, be more and have more - no-one is living to their fullest potential