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We’re all born with unique gifts and talents and one of life’s ultimate achievements it to find yourself. The goal is to really understand what you’re good at (and bad) and do what you do best. It just doesn’t make sense to keep spending time on things you’re not good at. I believe we’re all called to bring our own unique greatness to the table of life, but the journey of finding your potential requires both strategy and attitude.

Unlocking your potential and changing your life begins with defining a destination and taking one step at a time to get there. Being serious about making improvements is a great start, but that’s usually the easy part. The big question is how you put it into action. Below are 11 mindsets that will help you unlock the massive potential that is hidden inside of you and guide you on the road to greatness:

1. Don’t Limit Yourself

If we all did things the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. ~ Thomas Edison

This seems obvious but also is pretty difficult. The answer I hear so often when it comes down to the topic of your unique gifts and talents is “I can’t do anything really well. I’m pretty average”. Remember the gifts you were born with. When you start to remember what you have instead of worrying about what you don’t have or may not be getting, it changes your perspective for the better. Always look what is in your hand and make the best of it.

2. Start Planning and Journaling

A goal without a plan is just a wish ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Start to plan your week on Sunday night. Set your weekly goals and make your priorities. The most successful people I know end their workday by making a list of what they have to do the following day or two ahead. This allows the mind to work on things while you sleep and helps you identify between the urgent and the important.

3. You create your own Success

The world does not owe you anything, it was here first. ~ Mark Twain

Drop the attitude. If you think the world or anybody in particular owes you a living, you might want to reevaluate your position. It is quite possible that, by feeling entitled, you are pushing away things and people you might like. You are responsible for your success and nobody owes you anything.

4. Don’t let Emotions make your Decisions

Emotions should not be ignored but never be the foundation of your decisions. Emotions need to be honored—they don’t have to be justified—but just because you have a feeling doesn’t mean that you’re right.

5. A Negative Mind will never give you a Positive Life

Remove negative thinkers from your inner circle. Sometimes we ourselves also get into negative feedback loops and don’t even know it. If thoughts of being helpless and hopeless continue to enter your mind, you might just need to take a nap or perhaps talk with someone who can help.

6. Motivation gets you Started, Habits are what Keeps you Going

Motivation is the easiest part. It’s like starting your car. You need to have the fuel to keep going. Set up and stick to a routine. We are creatures of habit, and good habits, such as getting regular exercise, make us feel better. Maintaining good habits also help us feel that we have some control over our lives. Good example is to plan your exercise in your calendar. I plan all my morning workouts in my calendar.

7. Let go of your History to Embrace your Destiny

Drop your resentments. We all have some feelings that are linked to things that happened in the past. It could be you still grab on to this feeling of resentment towards your family, friends, (business) partner or peers. You should choose to let go of those resentments to fully grab on to what the future has to bring. By choosing to drop them, you will make your life much lighter and are able to focus on the brighter future.

8. Know Thyself

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. ~ Aristotle

People that succeed in life are people that know themselves. But so many people don’t make it a priority to actually get to understand themselves better. Make time to study yourself to know who you really are and learn to honour yourself. Once you start to understand your potential and what you are good at, you’re set to take your life to the next level. Read here what focusing on your strengths can do for your brain.

9. Your Daily Habits Shape Your Future

Learn from the past, live in the present, believe in the future. Wins or losses you made yesterday should not matter. Yesterday ended last night, so it doesn’t matter whether yesterday was good or bad. Don’t get stuck there. The same applies to the future. There is only so much planning you can do for the future. The real focus should be on the habits and actions you take on a daily basis, because fundamentally they shape your future.

10. Change your Priorities and Change your Life

Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have 24-hour days. ~ Zig Ziglar

Focus on your priorities and protect your calendar. One of the lessons I learned being a CEO of a high growth startup was that I needed to block my calendar and plan my day wisely. If not, the day will take a stroll with you. Your daily agenda can be turned upside down by others and the many requests they send your way. Be selective about what you do because you can’t do it all.

11. More Contribution Less Consumption

You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self. Do it courageously. ~ Steve Maraboli

The best version of you will emerge when you decide to use your potential to make the world a better place. Become better and improve the world however you can. You’ll be surprised with how many people you can inspire by your actions. Be the salt and light in the world.

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