The Anglo-Saxon expression "bloom where you're planted" clearly explains that in life we should be able to seize the opportunities that present themselves and feel grateful for our current situation. Many times, however, you may not be happy with the way things are going and have a hard time putting this precious principle into practice. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to improve circumstances, even when at first it seems that everything is going wrong. First of all, you can change the mentality with which you face life. Try to appreciate the present and accept changes and obstacles. Second, try to recognize opportunities. Take risks, bond, and work hard. Finally, make good use of every day at your disposal. Try to be a positive force to start making the most of your potential.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Developing the Right Mindset
Step 1. Understand that you can control your thoughts
Many people feel that the latter are in charge. However, while feelings and emotions cannot be fully mastered, there are things we can do to direct our thoughts. In some cases it is not possible to change the circumstances, but you can always change the perspective from which you view them.
- Remember that you have the power to control your attitude. In any situation, you can choose how to consider and perceive what is happening around you. Try to take responsibility for it from day to day.
- For example, even if you are unhappy with the company you currently work for, you shouldn't consider it a completely bad situation. If you have a habit of thinking, "I hate my job, it's terrible," pause to examine what other ways you might evaluate the circumstances. You may want to focus on what's positive in your life, like your family or friends. Or start considering the contempt you feel for your current job as a motivation to change and find one that fits your personality.
Step 2. Accept that things can change
The only certain constant in life is change. Regardless of the level of evolution of your consciousness, situations and circumstances will become different with the passage of time. If you want to be happy no matter what happens, it's important to learn to accept change with peace of mind.
- Remember that things must change in order to progress. If they remained unchanged, you would not take any steps forward and you would not have a chance to become a better person. If something has recently changed in your life, try to adjust to the new situation instead of feeling sad or uncomfortable about it.
- Be on the lookout for how you can change current circumstances. If the situation you are experiencing is not ideal, there are likely several ways to change it or to change yourself and live better. You can make the most of your potential by constantly looking for ways to make things better.
Step 3. Value what you have
If you have a negative view of your overall life, you are likely to feel apathetic and lacking in energy. It is difficult for you to make the most of your potential with this type of mindset. Instead of dreaming that circumstances change and become ideal, try to appreciate the positive aspects of the current ones. This will help you develop the attitude you need to make your life blossom.
- If you are dissatisfied with your current situation, negative thoughts may end up wearing you down. It is easy to forget the positive aspects of your life when you are forced to face difficulties every day.
- Try to make a conscious effort to focus on the good things you can currently count on. You may not like your job, but you appreciate your colleagues. Also, it may be giving you the opportunity to acquire skills that you can take advantage of in the future. Also reflect on the different areas of your life that make you feel happy and fulfilled, for example your social relationships. Focus your energy on what makes you feel good.
Step 4. Try to catch a lesson in all circumstances
An effective method to make the most of your potential in any situation is to always keep your eyes open to try to grasp the continuous lessons offered by existence. Analyze your current situation and ask yourself what you can learn. How can your present experiences represent a life lesson?
- Negative circumstances also contain valuable lessons. Let's say you had to move for business reasons and you don't like the city where you currently live, so let's try to figure out what kind of lesson you can learn from this situation. Perhaps the teaching is about resilience, which is the ability to reorganize one's life in a positive way following an unfavorable event. If you are alone in a new place, it might be the right time to get to know yourself better and learn to feel happy and satisfied without needing others.
- It is not always easy to grasp a lesson when circumstances are difficult and many times the right interpretation is understood only later. Even if you are unable to recognize any positive teaching right now, remind yourself that sooner or later you will be able to say that you have learned something from the experience you are having now. Don't consider the present moment as useless.
Step 5. Practice radical acceptance
It is a technique that teaches to accept the current situation and everything that cannot be changed as it is. It can help you make the most of your potential because you will avoid wasting time thinking about how things could have turned out differently. Try to cultivate a sense of acceptance every day for what you cannot change in your life.
- Start small. For example, accepting that there is a lot of traffic, so you will be late for work. You can't change circumstances, so don't let them upset you. Try to accept them as they are and don't let this hitch interfere with your attitude once you get to the office.
- As you learn to accept small obstacles, you will begin to feel calmer even in the face of larger ones. For example, you may not have received the promotion you were hoping for despite having worked hard. This could be a bad blow, but if you have learned to accept the circumstances as they are you will recover quickly.
Part 2 of 3: Seeking New Opportunities
Step 1. Identify what you can change
In every situation there are always aspects that you can change and improve. To make the most of your potential, you need to look for new opportunities in your present situation. Learn to identify areas that you can change for the better, even when circumstances are less than ideal.
- Avoid complaining about the unfavorable aspects. If you don't like something, try to figure out if you can change it for the better instead of being negative.
- For example, let's say you don't like your current job very much, but instead of complaining, try to do it every day in the best possible way. This way you could get a promotion or a helpful recommendation that will allow you to find a new job in the future.
Step 2. Stay in the present
Thinking about what could happen in the future or how you could have acted differently in the past can distract you from the goal of making the most of your potential in the present. Even on occasions when you feel frustrated, try your best to live in the "here and now" and accept things for what they are.
- Try to make the most of what you have instead of fantasizing about what you could or would like to have. For example, avoid thinking about the job you might find if you studied more or went to a different school. There is no way to change the past.
- Focus on the actions you can take to actually improve your present. If you know that you have not worked hard enough in the past, devote all your strength to everything you do from now on. Work hard every day so that five years from now, you don't have to regret again for what you have done until then.
Step 3. Develop strong bonds
You always have the opportunity to build relationships with the people around you. Even if your current situation isn't idyllic, interpersonal relationships can blossom and flourish. Try to interact with the people around you, a connection with a colleague, friend or superior could lead to important opportunities.
Expand your social network as much as you can. Stay in touch with people who work in the same field as you, for example with colleagues and superiors from previous jobs. In your current workplace, try to build strong relationships with the people around you. Always be courteous, respectful, avoid speaking ill of others, and work hard
Step 4. Take risks
Acting boldly can help you in any situation. Instead of considering the current circumstances as final, feel able to do something to change them for the better. No situation is completely invariable, there is always the possibility of taking risks and growing as a person.
- Those who are not willing to act with courage cannot make the most of their potential. Don't hesitate to take a certain action just for fear of having to face possible consequences. Sometimes taking a big risk, like asking for a raise or a promotion, can lead to real improvement.
- Even if things don't turn out the way you hoped, you will have learned a lesson about acting boldly. Additionally, you may find that your employer appreciates risk takers. In the future, your audacity could lead to rewards even if the present hasn't changed.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Most of Every Day
Step 1. Have a positive impact on others
You can put your potential to good use by making small gestures that positively affect the people around you. By working hard every day to support them, rather than hinder them, you will be able to improve the world around you. As a result, your attitude will also change for the better and you can count on the energy and mental structure you need to become a more fulfilled and happy person.
- Do small things that help others feel good, like smiling at the supermarket cashier or giving directions to someone who needs it.
- Try to be friendly even when you are in a bad mood. For example, you go to work every morning with the goal of being courteous to everyone, even if it turns out to be a difficult day.
Step 2. Practice gratitude
Each day mentally list the many positive things you can feel grateful for. Doing so will help you put situations into perspective and understand that circumstances don't define you as a person. As soon as you wake up, try to think of something you can feel grateful for right now. This will make it easier to start the day with a positive attitude.
Step 3. Make the most of current circumstances
You can't control all situations, but you can learn how to make the most of the tools you have at your disposal. Try to find opportunities to live better in all circumstances.
- For example, suppose you have completed your creative writing studies brilliantly, but are now working in a coffee shop waiting to find a better job. Even if you can't see any opportunities in what you're doing right now, there may be some positives you haven't considered yet.
- A part-time job, which doesn't require a lot of mental effort, can give you the time and energy you need to write. Also by observing the people you meet you can get inspiration for your stories.
Step 4. Remember to consider the circumstances as a whole
To be able to make the most of your potential, you need to learn to consider your situation from a broader point of view. For example, if you are feeling lost, sad, or frustrated, remind yourself of your most important goals. Consider how they are affected by present conditions. This way you will feel motivated to find the right path and do the best in the present.
