Whose Potential Are You Trying to Live Up To?

Have you ever felt like you’re “not living up to your potential?” You know there’s more you want to do in life, but you’re not sure exactly what path to take.

In my experience, that feeling often comes from external expectations rather than from your own inner voice. As Karen Wright, Master Coach , founder of Parachute Executive Coaching and author of The Accidental Alpha Woman and The Complete Executive, and I discussed in a rich conversation on the SPARKED podcast, doing the work of self-discovery is much harder than simply choosing a “specialty” to appease others.

Angie recently left her non-profit job and is exploring multiple freelance paths. Here are some of the key insights we shared that may resonate with anyone on a similar journey of self-discovery:

Experiment Your Way Forward

Instead of picking a single path based on external advice, experiment with different options. Try on different genres and business models to see what resonates.

The experiments themselves provide valuable data for your inner compass. Each one can clarify what energizes you and what leaves you feeling unfulfilled. Along the way, you may also find that you stumble upon an expertise not just in one specific domain, industry or project, but in a particular process, like problem-solving, design, selling, biz-dev, collaborating, etc. This can open a whole new line of possibilities that are no longer bound by industry, but rather by the need for whatever problem your process helps solve.

Question Whose Expectations You Hold

When you feel like you’re not “not living up to your potential,” as Angie mentioned, we encouraged her to reflect: Whose potential? Whose expectations? Rediscovering your own definition of success and potential is a crucial first step. Let go of the idea that you need one narrow “specialty.” Consider instead how your varied interests and skills interconnect in unexpected ways. Out of that emerges your truest and fullest potential.

Follow the Inner Call Over External Counsel

The clearest signal that you're on the right path comes from within, not from external advice. When an experiment “pulls you in from ahead” rather than “pushes you from behind,” you’ve likely found an inner call worth following further. Listen to this inner guidance over anyone telling you to just “pick something and stick with it.” You know - in your gut and in your heart - when a path truly resonates.

Don't Lose Sight of the Experimenting Itself

Narrowing too early risks missing important insights along the way.

The journey of self-discovery itself - the experiments, the reflections - can become your true expertise. This process expertise then empowers you to navigate life’s inevitable changes and uncertainties.

As you find your own way forward, remember that self-discovery is a lifelong journey. Trust the process. Listen to your inner call. Let go of external expectations that don’t serve you. The path will unfold - one interesting experiment at a time.

Hopefully these insights provide a spark for your own journey of discovery. We'd love to hear your stories too.

For more insights and an even deeper insights into pursuing your passions, be sure to tune into the full SPARKED podcast episode. Our discussion is meant to serve as a beacon, lighting the way to find and do what truly sparks you in work and life.

#CareerChange #SelfHelp #DeepLearning

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