Rethinking Potential: What You’re Really Becoming
“Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.” This simple disclaimer often accompanies thought-provoking insights that challenge how we view personal and professional growth. One such insight revolves around the concept of “potential.”
We hear it all the time: “You have so much potential.” “Are you living up to your potential?” But what does potential truly mean? And is it something we’re supposed to reach, or is it something more fluid?
What Is Potential, Really?
By definition, potential is the capacity to become something in the future. It isn’t tied to any specific outcome, like becoming a CEO, a bestselling author, or a millionaire entrepreneur. Potential simply means there is room to grow, evolve, and develop capabilities over time.
This distinction is crucial. Potential is not a fixed destination or a predefined “best version” of ourselves. Instead, it is an ongoing process of becoming, shaped by experiences, learning, and choices.
Why We’ve Got Potential All Wrong
Often, we treat potential as a deadline or a finish line. We imagine an ideal future self, wildly successful and fully realized, and then measure our current selves against that standard. This mindset can lead to anxiety, pressure, and a feeling of perpetual inadequacy.
Entrepreneurs, in particular, face this challenge. Metrics like revenue, growth, funding, or client numbers become benchmarks for success. Hit one goal, and another one appears on the horizon. This cycle can make potential feel like a never-ending to-do list rather than a personal journey.
Moreover, the standards we hold ourselves to are often influenced by comparisons to others—whether it’s parents, peers, or the seemingly perfect lives showcased on LinkedIn. Sometimes, the harshest judgments come from within, fueled by “shoulds” that dictate how far along we ought to be.
The Limits of Predicting Our Future Capabilities
One of the biggest misconceptions is assuming we know what future versions of ourselves will be capable of. But the reality is, we don’t. The person you were when you started your business or career had no way of predicting the skills, resilience, or knowledge you would develop over time.
Psychological research supports this; humans tend to underestimate their future abilities due to a cognitive bias known as the “impact bias,” which causes people to misjudge how they will react to future events or challenges (Wilson & Gilbert, 2005).
Entrepreneurship challenges this bias by requiring us to imagine possibilities without precedent. It asks us to build futures that don’t yet exist, making the journey of becoming capable an ongoing experiment rather than a fixed path.
Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should
Expanding what we’re capable of isn’t inherently good or bad—it comes with trade-offs. Every new responsibility or achievement often means added complexity, more decisions, and sometimes less freedom.
An ancient Chinese parable about a farmer illustrates this well: when his horse runs away, everyone says it’s bad luck, but maybe it’s not. When the horse returns with more horses, everyone says it’s good luck, but maybe it’s not. Life’s events often defy simple categorization into “good” or “bad.”
In business, this perspective is critical. Funding rounds, client losses, or pivoting strategies are frequently labeled as success or failure prematurely. But the full impact often only becomes clear with time.
For example, a client of mine was making more money than ever but was sacrificing his health and well-being in a toxic work environment. Eventually, he was laid off—a devastating blow at 62—but it became the catalyst for him to redesign his life and work on his own terms, landing a new, fulfilling opportunity shortly after.
Questions Worth Asking
Instead of the exhausting question, “Am I living up to my potential?” consider asking:
- “What am I becoming capable of?”
- “Do I actually want the life that comes with it?”
These questions remove the pressure of a fixed endpoint and acknowledge that growth is a continuous process. They encourage reflection on whether the new capacities we develop align with our values and desired lifestyle.
Potential isn’t about being limitless; it’s about expanding the realm of possibility while making conscious choices about what to carry forward and what to let go.
Embracing an Evolving Journey
Entrepreneurship often transforms us in unexpected ways. The business you build changes, but so do you. Sometimes that change is invigorating. Other times, it’s challenging and calls for support.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to reach some ultimate version of yourself but to keep evolving thoughtfully. Becoming capable means growing into new roles, but also knowing when to step back, delegate, or say no.
None of this is wasted potential. Instead, it’s a dynamic, unfolding story—one that respects the unknown future and the complexity of human experience.
For more insights on this perspective, read the full article here.
