Have you ever stopped to think about the difference between where you are now and where you could be? This difference is what Hal Elrod, a prolific motivational speaker and author of The Miracle Morning, calls the “Potential Gap.” It’s the space between your current reality and the extraordinary life you’re capable of living. Many of us are living far below our potential, held back by limiting beliefs, habits that don’t serve us, and a lack of clarity about what we truly want.

The potential gap can seem daunting, but recognizing it is the first step toward closing it. Often, we don’t even realize how much more we could achieve because we’ve settled into a comfort zone. We underestimate our capabilities, telling ourselves that the life we dream of is out of reach. But the truth is, many of us are only scratching the surface of what we can accomplish.

What’s Holding You Back?

Here are some common barriers that can widen the potential gap:

• Fear of failure: Worrying about making mistakes or not succeeding can paralyze you from taking action.
• Self-doubt: Believing you’re not good enough or deserving of success keeps you from striving for more.
• Comfort zone: Settling for what’s easy and familiar rather than challenging yourself to grow.
• Lack of clarity: Not having a clear vision of what you want or where you want to go.
• Negative habits: Engaging in routines that don’t support your goals and aspirations.

These barriers are not insurmountable, as I discovered in my own journey after learning about the potential gap. I decided to set bolder goals than I was used to. I challenged myself to run a fifty-kilometer race within six months and aimed to score at least an 8.5 out of 10 on my graduation project. Six months later, I had completed a fifty-four-kilometer race in a hilly area—very different from the flat terrain I was accustomed to training on in the Netherlands—and I graduated with a 9 out of 10. So yeah, I am convinced challenging yourself more works.

I invite you to be bold. Take a moment to envision where you think you could be if you were living up to your full potential. Picture the life you want, the goals you’d achieve, and the person you’d become. Now, ask yourself: What’s stopping you from getting there?

Evaluating Your Own Potential Gap

Here are a few simple steps to help you evaluate your own potential gap:

• Reflect on your current situation: Where are you now in your personal and professional life? What are your daily habits and routines?
• Envision your ideal future: Take some time to imagine what your life would look like if you were living up to your full potential. What would change? How would you feel?
• Identify the obstacles: What specific fears, doubts, or habits are holding you back from closing the gap? Be honest with yourself.
• Set small, achievable goals: Break down your vision into manageable steps. What can you start doing today to move closer to your ideal future?

Closing the potential gap requires adopting a mindset that embraces growth and sees failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback. To grow further, develop daily habits that support your goals and stay committed to your journey.

You have the power to close the potential gap, to bridge the distance between where you are and where you could be. It starts with envisioning your potential and believing that you can achieve it. So, be bold. Dream big. And start taking those steps today 🫴🏽🌱