Spring is here! What a great time to plan, dream, and hope. Isn’t this why we do that whole “spring cleaning” thing? What is it that you want to clean up this spring? Have you ever stopped and thought about why we are always trying to clean up our act every spring? Well this quandary fits perfectly with the topic that has been lying on my heart lately — how can we tap into our true potential. So let’s take a look at how we can begin balancing tomorrow’s POTENTIAL, today – at home.

We are each capable of so many things. We know that our true potential remains largely untapped, that’s why we tend to review our lives and our behavior this time of year and make plans to do better. But why does our potential continue to elude us over the years? Why is it that so many of our dreams go undreamed, so many of our hopes go un-hoped for, and why don’t we dare to plan for what we really wish we could do?

Tapping our true potential requires vision and courage — vision to really imagine all that we could accomplish if we lived in a perfect world and courage to do it anyway. What mark do you want to make on the world? Now is the time to figure it out, no matter what your age.

We are all given abilities that are meant to be used. I know it can be scary to extend yourself by exercising these abilities in the world. But how rewarding it is to take the risk of becoming who we might be! Maybe you’ve always wanted to write a book, go back to school, try a new career, learn a foreign language, or you name it. What keeps stopping you? So often, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or simple inertia keeps us from finding and facing our true potential.

But what is “true potential” anyway? Potential is what you have the possibility of becoming. True potential is what you have the ability to achieve if you have the courage to get out of your own way! So often we have a passing glimpse of what we could become, achieve, or enjoy, but dismiss it as idle fancy, grandiosity, or insanity.  But I say, “Hold on there!” Don’t discount your future so quickly.

Have you ever read a great book, seen a fabulous movie, ate at a wonderful restaurant and thought, “Wow, how do they do that?” The answer is vision and courage. That’s all it takes. Someone once told me, “If you can see it, you can be it.” This has proved true for me time and time again. The tricky part is allowing yourself to “see it.” Having faith that you have a purpose is the starting point. Then, you just remember that today’s choices will deliver tomorrow’s results.

Dr. Stacie’s Strategies to help you balance tomorrow’s potential, today – at home:

Faith comes first –

Know that you can achieve your true potential and make an impact on this world.

Dare to dream –

Let your imagination soar and envision all the possible things you could achieve if everything went your way. 

Care to be courageous –

Take a risk and face your fears. Figure out how to overcome obstacles and achieve your vision even if you are afraid you cannot do it.

Use your abilities, share them with others –

Focus on giving and you will achieve. Plan for your vision and your potential will be!

Balancing tomorrow’s potential, today is a process you won’t want to miss. For every challenge there is a bounty of rewards. For every stretch there is new strength. Have a courageous new beginning!

Dr. Stacie L. L. Morgan is a strategy consultant, international speaker, and author. For more information, visit her Web site, BalancedManagement.com or send her an e-mail.