What is my potential?’, ‘How may I realise that potential?’ These are questions at which most of the people around the world try to find an answer.

What is my potential?’, ‘How may I realise that potential?’ These are questions at which most of the people around the world try to find an answer.

By Jimmy Petruzzi

‘What is my potential?’, ‘How may I realise that potential?’ These are questions at which most of the people around the world try to find an answer. Every speck of scientific research on the subject of human potential says that we all have much more potential power and ability than we are currently using. On some level I think we all probably realize, or at least suspect, that we have massive potential. The problem is, realizing that you have this powerful potential and actually tapping into it are two completely different things. In fact, very few things are more frustrating than knowing you’ve got the resources to make a dramatic difference in your life, but not being able to access them. It’s like finding your dream home, having more than enough money in the bank to buy it, but the bank refuses to let you access your account. If we have all this amazing potential, why can’t we just open up those resources and use them whenever we want to? It’s interesting that the entire scientific community is struggling with the same question

What can you do to become more aware, work at your full potential and realize your goals? What will allow you to choose positive thoughts even in gloomy situations? It is your level of awareness. There are seven levels of awareness (listed from low to high): 1.Animal, 2.Mass, 3.Aspiration, 4.Individual, 5.Discipline, 6.Experience, 7.Mastery. All of us will primarily function at one of the above levels. According to where we are in our lives at any given time, we may bounce back and forth between levels. We should strive to reach the highest level, mastery, where the air is thin and the ideas are great. As you read the description of each level below, determine which level of awareness you are operating at in the following key areas: Spiritual, Love relationships, Money, Personal/Professional, and Health

Level 1: Animal

This is the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome. A person at this level is doing just enough to get by. They are victims of circumstances. This person is reacting to whatever is going on around them rather than responding. They allow what is going on in their current circumstances to dictate how they react. To react or respond is a choice. Reacting is a negative choice and responding is a positive choice. Reacting implies that we have given charge of the situation to someone or something else. We surrender our input and any control in the matter. We are now at the mercy of the situation and are forced to be in reaction mode where we are constantly dodging bullets and expending great amounts of energy just to stay afloat. We do not anticipate that which is to come because we are too busy handling the present when we are reacting. The future then surprises us and the whole mess begins again. They are probably reacting using alcohol, drugs or other negative expressions.  Responding to a situation is a positive choice. It is proactive and anticipates those things to come. Responding is preceded by thought. In responding, we take charge and have command over how the situation affects us. We also have control over how it affects us internally

Level 2: Mass

This is where you are programmed to conform. A person at this level is following the crowd rather than doing their own thinking. This person does not consciously choose the things that they want. They ask others what they think they should do with their money. If you must follow others, follow the one or two folks that are doing things differently than the masses. It is a good chance that they have put some thought into what they are doing. Most people do not think. George Bernard Shaw said that two percent of people think, 3 percent of people think that they are thinking and 95 percent of people would rather die than think! It is not a coincidence that 1% of the world’s population earns over 90% of the money being made. Break out of the ‘mass’ level of consciousness and claim the life you deserve! Successful people do not follow the masses. They are independent thinkers. If you wish to achieve success, realize that it is not an easy path to follow. You will face ridicule from strangers, family and friends. Remember that your first responsibility is to be true to yourself and do whatever fulfils you and makes you happy. Bob Proctor states ‘The masses are obsessed with conformity rather than creativity.’

Level 3: Aspiration

This is where you are beginning to wake up. You now want to break away from the masses and become an individual. You realize that you can be more, do more and have more than your current circumstances. You saw The Secret. You listen to dynamic speakers such as Bob Proctor, Paul Martinelli, and Mary Morrissey.

You read ‘Think and Grow Rich’ and ‘As a Man Thinketh’. You know that there is something more that you are capable of. Many people become stuck at this level because their new desires are just wishes until they back them with action. You may desire to earn more money. Desire is derived from the Latin word da–sire, which means, ‘to give birth to’.

’The desire for riches is simply the capacity for larger life seeking fulfillment; every desire is the effort of an unexpressed possibility to come into action. It is power seeking to manifest which causes desire. That which makes you want more money is the same as that which makes the plant grow; it is Life, seeking fuller expression.’ – Wallace D. Wattles. (Wattles, 2002)

Level 4: Individual

You begin to express your uniqueness through your actions…you are out of your head and into your uniqueness. You realize that there is no one like you. Only you possess your special gifts and talents. You move into action because you have the faith to move toward your desires. If we can think it, we can do it. Keep your mind only on the things you desire. If you focus on what you want rather than what you do not want, you will know when it is time to move into action. Your action will be effortless. Doors will open and the entire universe will conspire to assist you with your desire. You begin to dream. Once you step into the

action, everything that you are seeking is also seeking you. Remember, there is no attraction without the action. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. You begin to live on purpose.

Your goals begin to manifest. You leave your comfort zone because you realize that this is necessary for change to take place. All growth takes places outside the comfort zone. The language of someone in the comfort zone is ‘I like things just the way they are’ or ‘better to be safe than sorry’. The sad thing is that when someone reverts to the comfort zone, they think that they are going back to the way things were. But that is not true. They are not going to back to the way things were. We live in a changing universe. When someone says, ‘I can’t wait for things to go back to normal’ they are announcing their ignorance of the first two Laws of Creation which are order or movement. They are not going back to the way things were because the most basic and dynamic laws of life tells us that everything creates or disintegrates and if there has not been growth in the comfort zone, by law, it has to be going in the opposite direction. You are moving in one direction–improving the quality of your life–or you are taking away from it. You are not taking a step back to where it was. You are just taking a step back! Abraham Maslow said that either we advance forward in the direction of our dreams or we revert backwards into safety.(Maslow, 1970)

Level 5: Discipline

Discipline, which is the ability to give ourselves a command and follow through on it regardless of what is happening. This means to stay on course regardless of what the masses are doing and/or saying. When we attend a concert or an opera and we listen to a voice that utterly captivates the audience, do we wonder how those voices happen? Of course, they do not just happen. Although they may be especially gifted people, those magical moments that happen are coming from discipline–not chance or accident. They consciously chose, ardently desired and patiently persisted in discipline. Are you willing to devote yourself to do anything necessary to make the goals and dreams you have become a reality?

Are you able to become disciplined enough to see that what you need to do to make your desires manifest is to be totally focused on the result from the beginning of any task? Will you work through any challenge that may come and turn it into an opportunity for growth and transformation as you build your success character? When you are devoted to being disciplined in all areas of your life, amazing things will happen. Being disciplined is a way of being that allows for abundant thinking so that when a limited belief pops up, you can see it for what it is and move through it with a conviction and determination that will bring you closer and closer to the results you want in any area of your life. Be disciplined about who you are and watch as the flood gates of infinite opportunity shower you with unlimited success.

Level 6: Experience

The difference between learning and experience is the discovery that the answers are within us. At this level, you recognize that all of the answers that you are looking for are really found within. It is unnecessary to gather information externally. As you look within yourself, God brings to you the ideas and people you require to accomplish your desires. We have a wonderful world of power, possibility and promise that is within us. Because within us is the mind and the mind is the creative cause of all that transpires in the experience and our lives. The personal conditions that you experience are the direct result of the actions of your mind. We never make a move of any kind unless we first form an image or plan in the mind. We can learn to use our mind constructively and we can learn to correctly use these hidden powers, forces, and faculties. When you apply steadfast discipline and do the things that will elevate you to new levels, the experience gained reinforces your awareness of your amazing abilities. This, in turn, leads to great accomplishments. When you see the desired results manifest, you will become stronger in how you practice and do more of the same.When you do not see the desired results, you will make the necessary corrections and then practice with discipline until that desire manifests.

Level 7: Mastery

Mastery is the highest level that we can attain. Only a small percentage of the population reaches this point; however, we all have the mental faculties and capacity to do so. The feedback that we receive at the sixth level, experience, allows us to master what we want to accomplish in our life. These individual shave learned the laws of the universe, they understand how the science and process operates, and they have fine-tuned their methods based upon their experience. They are quite effective at attracting success, wealth and resources. They are goal achievers. Life just seems to flow here. One has reached a higher level of thought. This is where a person will respond rather than react. This person truly thinks and takes the action that moves them in the direction of what is desired. At this level of awareness, a person functions from an abundance perspective. This person is not controlled by habits that do not serve them. They are the captain of their ship. It takes a while to achieve this awareness level. It takes persistence and discipline. Since we only have one life to live, why not strive to make it a masterpiece?

References

Maslow, A. H. (1970). Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper & Row.

Wattles, Wallace D. (2002), The Science of Getting Rich or Financial Success through Creative Thought. Wheatmark, Inc.