Are You Achieving Your Potential?

Sometimes I think that we have our priorities backEverybody is different. Everybody has a
tofront. Achievement is seen as the pinnacle to aimdifferentpotential. Like Lauren, we are not all destined
for.to befluent linguists or future track stars.
I have come to think that this is wrong.But without 100% effort no potential can be achieved
My 12-year old daughter, Lauren, came home from-and that is a real waste.
schoolyesterday, proudly waving her grade book. SheOur programming to think in terms of A-1 extends
had beenawarded A-1 in most subjects - a greatwaybeyond the classroom. That is where the seed is
achievement!sown,but the real effect is felt in business.
Then she sadly pointed out that her perfect scoreIf I see a salesperson under-delivering, the firstthing I
wasmarred by a B-1 in French and a C-1 inwant to examine is the effort being put in. Ifthere is a
physicaleducation.problem with effort, the salespersonprobably has no
I asked her what the scores meant. She said thatfuture. It is impossible to turn roundsomeone who just
theletter denotes achievement and the number, effort.wants an easy way out.
That was when it struck me that the gradesBut, if I see 100% effort, but a lack of success,
weremisleading. Surely the most important score isthesalesperson is worth my effort in helping along.
effort?Maybea bit of training will help, or a few pointers from
Yet it is shown last.amore successful colleague. I know that 100%
I gave her a big hug and told her that in my book,effort,focused in the right direction, will always
shehad a perfect score. It didn't matter thatbringresults - and that salesperson will fulfill their
herachievement grade in French was a 'B' - the '1'ownpotential. Whether that is an 'A' or a 'C'.
showedthat she had tried her hardest. That isAnd who can ask more than that?
something tomake any parent proud.