Maximizing potential is a personal responsibility

Drake Editorial Team

The process of change is a personal responsibility. You have tremendous potential and yet studies show that less than 20% of all employees actually realize their maximum potential. This in spite of the fact that the majority of employees are willing to work as hard as it takes to be successful at their careers. The missing ingredient, a controlling factor, is a constant positive attitude that says I can do this, I will do this, I believe in myself and no one is going to chase my bluebirds away.

Every day is a new day and how you act and think during that day is determined by your attitude. No one, not the boss, the crazy driver that cut you off on the way to work, that aggravating neighbor or the traffic cop that gave you a speeding ticket is in control of your attitude. You are the only person that can affect a change in your thinking or your attitude. That is why it is extremely important to take control the minute you step out of bed. It may sound conceited but there is nothing wrong with looking at yourself in the mirror the very first thing and saying, “You are the Greatest, You will Succeed, You are the Best!”

As an individual, it is not the responsibility of our employer to leverage our potential into action. That being said, our employers can provide the training, coaching and mentoring that is essential to us as individuals to reach deep down and realize the personal potential we have. But it is our personal obligation to ourselves to create the kind of attitude about life, work & family that will produce the kind of drive and intensity that will enhance the quality of the results we achieve.

You see, change can only be realized by our actions, and our actions are controlled by how we think and feel. This composes our attitude. Consequently, we must focus our efforts toward success with the right kind of attitude - an attitude of confidence and conviction.

To change your circumstance and to change your life, you must look inwardly first because that is where our power lies. We cannot depend on other people to make us happy or to make us successful. That, I’m afraid, is up to us. Success and happiness are not contingent upon anything but our personal control over our attitude. Attitude determines how much of the future we will realize. No other person on earth has dominion over our attitude. No one else "makes us angry." We make ourselves angry when we surrender control of our attitude. But remember, it starts with you. You need to control your thinking. Your thoughts are powerful. They are energy. 

How you feel and how you act depends on your thoughts. Master your thoughts and you control your attitude. You have the power of focus. Focus your thoughts on positive things. Refuse to even associate with negative people. If you think your boss is an idiot, it’s really not his problem. It’s your problem. What can you do about it? How should you react to it? How should you let it affect your performance? How can you not let it affect your attitude? If we care at all about ourselves, then we must accept full responsibility for our own attitude. We must learn to guard against those feelings that have the capacity to lead our attitude down the wrong path and to strengthen those feelings that can build our confidence and self-esteem. Your attitude is a personal treasure that has value because it can determine just how your career and your life will play out. The right attitude is a key component of success.

A positive attitude can help you scale mountains, deal with the most stressful challenges because it gives you confidence and an inner strength that can’t be learned from a text book or acquired through experience. It is a psychological strength that influences all other areas of our existence. Let us not forget that our attitude can affect the attitude of others, and how others react to us can affect our attitude. This explains that old saying; “You attract more Bees with Honey”. This reason and this reason alone should motivate us to work on our people skills.

Take one simple step tomorrow. Tell yourself you are going to do one thing at work to consciously make a difference. You are going to do one thing that will improve someone else’s attitude. Now, go to work and no matter what happens during the day keep that upbeat attitude and search for opportunities to make a difference. Remember what Zig Zigler said.

Focus on positive thoughts; success thoughts. You are what you think and if you think the day will be a great day, chances are in your favor that it will be. Let tomorrow be the last day that you say “Good Morning” as just a passing comment. Really mean it. You are alive, you can breathe, you are the best and you will succeed.

Reprinted with the permission of Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist, and founder of CEO Strategist, LLC.CEO Strategist helps clients create and maintain a competitive advantage.Contact Rick at rick@ceostrategist.com to speak at your next event.