There are a lot of opportunities around us for those who have the potential: whether they are work related, romance related, or anything else. Sometimes we doubt our own potential, “I don’t think I can get this job. I’m not good enough,” or maybe, “This girl is so perfect. I don’t think she’ll like me”. If this is happening around us today I think we have a problem.

But what are the things that stop or limit us in reaching our potential? I asked others this question, and these were the answers they came up with:

• When a person doesn’t see who they can become.
• If someone is already satisfied with who they are right now.
• When someone doesn’t believe of himself.
• When a person fails to see how the Lord sees him.
• If someone doesn’t have the right motivation.
• When someone doesn’t know who he really is.
• Fear, distractions of the world, and pride.

From all the answers I got, I’ve come to realize that the word “attitude” has a vital role in one’s life progress and improvement. We must have the right attitude that will drive us to see more of ourselves and to discover more our potential.

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and He sent us here to Earth to learn and develop more of ourselves, so someday we can be like Him. In the scriptures it says, “Verily, I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” (Doctrine & Covenants 58:27-28)

We need to believe within ourselves that it can happen, for God never stops believing in us. I believe the Lord rejoices every time we take a step forward. To Him, our direction is ever more important than our speed.

A woman practicing to become a violinist.

Here are some ideas to learn and discover our potential

• Set Goals. Setting meaningful goals can help us achieve great things in life. Goals reflect the desires of our heart and our vision of what we can achieve. Goals must be specific, realistic and can also stretch us. Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting goals, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life.” (p. 146-147, Chapter 8 “How do I use time wisely”, Preach My Gospel)

• Make plans. We must decide on how we will achieve our goals. From the time frame that we set you may consider asking these questions, “Who can help me? When do I need this? Where will I go? What are the things I need? And don’t forget also the question, “How can I be a blessing to others?” Reaching out for others can help you understand your strengths, and weaknesses too.

• Be committed. Our daily conduct and choices must be consistent with our goals. Be watchful and measure your progress each day. At the end of the day evaluate your efforts and seek for ways to accomplish your goal. Along our journey there will be ups and downs but never get dismayed. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings and seek for strength to stand in the midst of the great storms of life.

President Thomas S. Monson taught, “Wishing will not make it so. The Lord expects our thinking, He expects our action. He expects our labors. He expects our testimonies. He expects our devotion.” When we work hard and we include God in achieving our goals, the Lord magnifies our efforts and helps us reach our potential. As we set goals and we make plans it helps us gain self-mastery.

Let us not settle for less for we are the sons and daughters of God. Let us have faith over fear. Never give up nor give in. May we always remember who we really are as we make our decisions and choose our path. I know that if we will work hard to reach our full potential it is worth fighting for, it’s worth living, and it will bring us everlasting happiness and joy. So let us be patient with ourselves as we make our journey through life to learn and to discover our potential.