In the environments we find ourselves at, we generally tend to look at our current abilities to gauge where to go, what to do, and how far we can go. We identify our abilities and set the boundary where the ability seems to end, and ultimately that generally leads us to being average and mediocre.
This is the mentality and perspective that is filled with limitations and serves no long term genuine fulfillment for an individual. Many do what they can do and only stick to that, seeing it as the only skill or ability they possess. And if they are to excel they can only excel in that and nothing else.
You hear them saying, "this is the only thing I know", when they are challenged into venturing into other activities.
They set goals based on what they are currently are capable of. If they are a good stock counter at a retail store, their ultimate goal would be to be the manager of that store department.
Many people view themselves in this way and live by this flawed principle. Strangely, the general society does not really see the cons of having such a mentality.
The biggest reason why this is not an ideal way of setting one's goals' is because we keep on growing, and that comes with more life experiences and the acquisition of different skills which results into having more capabilities. In a year from now, I could easily be capable of something I am not capable of today.
Many who set goals based on their current abilities fail to realize this possibility, and their failure to see this, make them stagnant, unnecessarily so. They unconsciously become stagnant in what they do and without intentionally developing themselves to acquire more capabilities. And the outcome of that is them being at the same place forever, doing the same mediocre activities when in fact they have the potential to be doing way greater things.
Everyone ought to know their potential. Everyone has the potential of being greater that who they are and of being at greater heights than where they currently are.
But unfortunately, many judge their future based on what they are capable of rather than what they could potentially become.
Setting goals based on your abilities is what has made many live average lives even when they should not be. Some are comfortable because they judge themselves through their friends and those around them. For as long as they are not at a lower level than their high school friend, they are content and comfortable with where they are even when it's not ideal.
They use the lives of others as a compass that dictates the direction of their own lives. And that is usually as a result of seeing yourself as that which you currently are, and not what you could possibly be.
To live a life of fullness and be the person whom you are meant to be, it is wise to set goals based on your potential for that brings no limitations in contrast to only looking at your current abilities.
For you may never know how high you can fly in the heights of the sky or how deep you can go into the depths of the earth if you judge yourself by what you can and cannot do today.
You may be living like a commoner when in fact you are royalty. The only way to find out is to refrain from setting goals based on your abilities but set goals based on your potential.
Your abilities and conditions of today are not a defining factor for where you could be tomorrow. Refuse to take your potential to the grave with you when you could've given it to the world.
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