Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.
Seneca
4 B.C. – 65 A.D.
I generally read the newspaper comics daily. Often, I find them amusing, providing a slight diversion from the world’s many problems. And occasionally, I find a comic that has a real Lesson in Life.
Recently, the comic strip Blondie contained a brilliant lesson. This comic has been around for as long as I can remember, though the characters never age. For those of you not familiar with the strip, Blondie is married to Dagwood, and they’re a middle aged couple. Blondie always seems to have things together, while Dagwood is a little shy of a full deck.
On this particular day, Dagwood was sitting in his favorite easy chair. Blondie asked, “What are you doing, dear?”
Dagwood replied, “I’ve just begun to figure out my vast untapped potential.”
Wanting to know more, Blondie asked, “Your vast untapped potential for doing what?”
And Dagwood gave the answer I’ve heard from so many people: “That’s the part I haven’t figured out yet.”
I work with a lot of highly talented people with amazing potential. But the overwhelming majority haven’t figured out where or how they should use their vast untapped potential. As a result, a lot of potential goes to waste.
I think we all perform better when we’re given structure. And when we lack clear direction, it’s very difficult for most people to pick a direction and focus their energies. When we’re required to choose between a number of good options, we often get stuck because we don’t want to eliminate some possibilities.
If you’re going to achieve your potential, you really must get clear on your major purpose and then focus your attention there. Most of us would be better off if we relied on a good friend, coach or mentor to help guide us. But we’re often reluctant to give up this important decision.
And a lot of vast untapped potential goes to waste.
He that pursues two hares at once, does not catch one and let’s t’other go.
Benjamin Franklin
1706 – 1790
Copyright © 2009 John Chancellor