Potential is a curious thing. Most people think of it as a single, grand achievement—a yes or no question. Did you reach your potential? It’s as if there’s a predetermined pinnacle waiting for each of us, a cosmic report card with a single grade.

But that’s not how potential really works. Potential isn’t a destination; it’s a journey made up of countless small moments. It’s not about reaching a final, ultimate state, but about consistently striving to be your best self in every situation.

Let me offer you a different way to think about potential. At its core, potential is a combination of your God-given talent, your desire, and your effort. It’s not just what you’re capable of, but what you’re willing to do with those capabilities.

Now, here’s the important part: this potential manifests itself not just once in a lifetime, but in every interaction, every task, every moment of your day. There are thousands of small ‘p’ potentials that, when realized, contribute to your big ‘P’ Potential in life.

Consider a simple conversation. Did you reach your potential in that exchange? Did you listen actively, with positive intention? Did you strive to understand, not just to respond? Each conversation is an opportunity to realize a small ‘p’ potential.

Or think about studying for a test. Did you reach your potential there? It’s not just about the grade you received, but whether you studied long enough, focused on the right material, and maintained concentration throughout. In fact, the grade shouldn’t be the focus, but the process should be. Each study session is another small ‘p’ potential.

Your career is no different. Every day presents new opportunities to reach your potential. Did you give your best effort in that meeting? Did you approach that challenging task with creativity and perseverance? Did you focus 100% of your effort on being a positive contributor? These daily potentials accumulate, shaping your overall career trajectory.

The beauty of this perspective is that it puts the power in your hands. You don’t have to wait for some grand moment to prove your worth. Instead, you can actively work towards your potential every single day, in every interaction and task.

This approach also allows for growth and change. Your potential isn’t fixed; it evolves as you gain new skills, experiences, and insights. By focusing on these small ‘p’ potentials, you’re constantly expanding what you’re capable of.

Remember, too, that potential isn’t just about personal achievement. It’s about how you impact others, how you contribute to your community, how you make the world a little better each day. Each kind word, each helping hand, each moment of empathy is another small ‘p’ potential realized.

So don’t get caught up in the big question of whether you’ve reached your potential. Indeed I am highly confident that you will! Instead, focus on the countless small potentials that present themselves each day. Are you being the best listener you can be right now? Are you giving your current task your full attention and effort? Are you treating others with kindness and respect?

By consistently striving to meet these small ‘p’ potentials, you’ll find that you’re not just reaching your big ‘P’ Potential—you’re constantly expanding it. You’re becoming more than you ever thought possible, not in one grand leap, but in a series of small, meaningful steps.

And that, my kiddos, is the true nature of potential. It’s not about a single, defining moment, but about the cumulative effect of thousands of moments where you chose to be your best self. So go forth, embrace each small potential, and watch as they add up to a life of purpose, growth, and fulfillment.