Yeah, except potential is a relative term. If I thought I was reaching my potential if I worked in a somewhat important position within a major university, then I’ve managed to reach my potential. If it is within my potential to make a recording of my music that I really like, then I’ve reached my potential. If my goal is to write stuff that strangers read, then I’ve reached my potential.
But if I think I should be running the university, I’m a failure. If I should be touring the country with my music, I’m a failure. If I should write a major bestseller that enlightens people about the world, I’m a failure.
I’ll give you two guesses as to which set of attitudes reflects my thinking about myself, and the first one doesn’t count.
If I told you what I thought my real potential is, you would laugh so hard, you wouldn’t be able to breathe! It goes without saying that on a scale of progress towards that potential that runs from 0 to 100, I’m at -50.