27 September 2023

Finding the trigger: Persisting beyond success

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Bruce Kasanoff* says many people possess the potential to succeed far beyond what they eventually achieve; but have simply never found the trigger to make it emerge.


All of us harbour the potential to do amazing things.

In the space of five minutes or less, you could encounter an emergency situation and react so bravely that you become a hero.

That potential lies within you; what you lack is the trigger to make it emerge.

You probably have not yet encountered whatever it is that will trigger you to rise to your highest possible level.

It could be the discovery of a skill that engages all your best talents, or a purpose so all-encompassing that it makes all other paths seem trivial.

Or someone or something that inspires you to move far beyond what you saw as your limitations.

Are you ready?

It may sound silly, but discovering your life’s calling can be exhilarating, terrifying, or both.

Thinking about it, I’m reminded of an old Doonesbury cartoon in which the veteran Chief Executive is talking to the young guy he has just promoted.

After the executive goes on and on about how “we’re either going to go down in flames or make it to the top of the mountain”, the young guy asks: “Actually, sir, can I have my old job back?”

If you desire a safe and predictable career, be honest with yourself.

Embrace that path with joy and enthusiasm.

Don’t complain about your dull job or average pay, if that’s what you really want.

Don’t whine about being bored on the weekend if it never enters your consciousness to travel, or build someone a new home, or simply host a series of social events.

If you crave more, if you desire to explore your fullest potential, then recognise your path ahead will probably terrify you before you reach your full potential.

It’s all part of the ride.

Let’s be realistic for a moment.

For the vast majority of readers, this article is not the trigger for a powerful change in their lives.

I don’t get many letters that start: “Once I finished your newsletter, Bruce, I immediately sold my home and car and started hiking towards the Arctic Circle.”

So, what might be your trigger?

Since you probably don’t yet know the answer, I have a simple suggestion — that you start being more open and receptive to such a trigger.

It may be near you already, but you’ve been ignoring — or minimising — it.

Somewhere in the path that lies ahead of you that trigger almost certainly exists.

It may be an inspirational entrepreneur whose start-up you join. It may be a dramatic life event. Or it may come from deep inside you.

One more question.

Near the end of your life, as you sit in a rocking chair on the porch and contemplate your time on Earth, will you know that you used every single ounce of your potential?

*Bruce Kasanoff is an executive coach and social media ghostwriter for entrepreneurs. He can be contacted at kasanoff.com.

This article first appeared at kasanoff.com.

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