I remember in physics class learning about the concept of potential energy, I found it quite easy. I recall that potential energy in a lot of cases was driven by gravity (although it doesn’t always hold true). It is thought that when we are at the bottom of the mountain and we have the potential to reach the top whereas all the metaphors have it wrong, you need to be at the top of the mountain where all the energy lies in the ability to fall to the bottom driven by gravity. We are told from a young age you can do anything you want, you have all the potential in the world, but it is the hard work that creates the potential, unless you first climb to the top of the mountain, you will not have created your own potential energy. This applies for individuals, teams and indeed organisations. Every organisation has the potential to have a good culture but (depending on where it is currently at) there is a certain amount of work, discipline and guidance required to realise that potential. In Rory Vaden’s Best Seller, Take the Stairs, he theorises that too many people in our society are riding the escalator instead of taking the stairs, he counters that he is yet to meet a successful person who did not achieve their dream lifestyle without paying a price, without sacrifice and without self-discipline. It is the hard work that gives you the potential energy to achieve more. When you look at any image of potential energy you will notice a kinetic (moving) force that is acted upon an object before it has the potential energy to continue moving. Natural talent will only get you so far, to reach the top of any endeavour there will need to be work put in. You can bring together the best “team” for the job but unless there is work done to ensure that they are working collaboratively, supporting each other and moving with direction, in the best way possible they will never realise their potential. Have you ever heard of someone being referred to as having potential? What they are really saying is, if they do the work, they will achieve great things. The more work that you put in the more potential energy that you are creating for yourself. We all have potential, we can all put in the effort, thus we can all be successful in what we set our mind to within reason (no matter how much effort I put in I was never going to be a champion basketballer with my 5-foot stature). Which reminds me, my high school Health and Physical Education teacher told me that anyone can be a world champion. You just need to determine the sport best suited early enough, put in the countless hours of training and don’t get injured! The potential for anything is limitless but hard work is required and the motivation that precedes any work. So focus on why you want to achieve something, do the work, create the potential energy, allow that to convert to kinetic energy and you will be moving towards achievement of the goal. It's just simple physics! If this has made you tired just thinking about how much work you need to do, relax, you have been doing work all of your life, it is cumulative, you may have already completed all the work you need to to achieve your potential. Maybe you just need to decide what you want and take the final step.
The starting point to making a change in your life is becoming aware of what you are unsatisfied with. This is likely buried under layers of emotions and stuck energy, breathwork can help release this.
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