Potential is one of the most wonderful words in any language. It looks forward with optimism. It is filled with hope. It promises success. It implies fulfilment. It hints at greatness. Potential is a word based on possibilities (Maxwell J.C 2012).
This potential can either be monstrous or a great good for humanity. One of JC Maxwell’s laws, namely; the law of intentionality will be interrogated.
Working hard, while good, does not guarantee success. Neither is hope a strategy to success. How then does one get better in whatever he is doing? How are relationships improved? How is more depth and wisdom gained? How about insight and overcoming obstacles? Is working harder and longer the panacea?
Paradoxically, hitting goals does not translate into growth, yet focusing on growth leads to growing, thereby, always meeting targets. By beholding we become changed. People are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves, hence they remain confined; James Allen.
Growth gap traps can hinder one from attaining the desired or intended growth. This article is going to look into the eight gaps, namely the assumption gap, knowledge gap, timing gap, mistake gap, perfection gap, inspiration gap, comparison gap and expectation gap.
The assumption gap
It assumes that things happen on their own without any effort made by an individual. Charles Schulz refers to such an attitude as just hanging around until one gets used to the prevailing status quo. Growth must be intentional. Stop waiting for the person you want to become, start being the person you want to be. (Bruce Springsteen). Michel de Montaigne aptly put it: “No wind favours him who has no destined port.” An improved life is a result of individual improvement.
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The knowledge gap
Hiding behind ignorance over what needs to be done is not the solution. “Do you have a growth plan?” was the life-changing question that Curt Kampmeier asked Maxwell JC. The world responds with clarity only to those who are clear with what they want.
Critical areas to growth are attitude, goals, discipline, measurements and consistency. One’s attitude needs to be growth-oriented. Goals ought to be shaped by the intended growth. It goes without mention that discipline is key. Growth must be measurable. Consistency is critical to arriving at one’s chosen destination.
The timing gap
The right time to do or begin something never comes. “Great accomplishments would be achieved if everyone in the world had done what they intended to do” (Frank Clark). The law of diminishing intent provides: The longer you wait to do something that should be done now, the greater the odds that may render it even more difficult to actually do it.
The mistake gap
Learning curves are a common feature in embarking on any new assignment. According to Robert H Schuller, much would be attempted if one knew he/she would be successful. Maxwell JC in his book, Failing Forward, further buttresses the importance of learning through mistakes. Warren Benmis argues that a mistake is simply another way of doing things.
The perfection gap
No one gets perfect before attempting to do something. The starting point is not finding the best way of doing things, but to get started in order to find the best way. It is similar to driving on an unfamiliar road at night, sight is progressive only as one drives along. One can not see the whole road before taking off.
The inspirational gap
Forget thinking about motivation, just do it. Motivation is a trap, it does not strike like lightning. It is like love and happiness. Jerome Bruner, a Harvard psychologist advises that one is more likely to act oneself into feeling, than feel oneself into action, so act. Be intentional about growing
The comparison gap
The spies into the land of Canaan rated themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giant sons of Anakim. Before any encounter with these giants they had already been defeated psychologically. Another illustration is that of a pride of lions being led by sheep or vice-versa. One needs to be courageous enough to abandon their comfort zone and have faith in oneself. However, there is a difference between self pride and self esteem. The first, is being pompous, while the latter refers to believing in what oneself can accomplish.
The expectation gap
This is a situation where the real situation is different from what was envisaged at the beginning. Growth does not come quickly, neither is climbing easy.
Growth formula
Preparation (growth) + Attitude + Opportunity + Action (doing something about it) = Growth. “You can not change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight”; (Jim Rohn).
In contrast, Zimbabweans have or continue to witness some people changing their destinations instead of directions overnight. Unexplainable riches tend to blow off the heads of the said beneficiaries. The honourable culture of slowly yet surely consolidating one’s status over years, has been overtaken by the grab it all now syndrome. Such riches are hollow and demeaning to the possessors. Riches gotten through clandestine methods will make themselves wings and fly away.
“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words, it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run we shape our lives and we shape ourselves.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
lMoses Tsimukeni Mahlangu writes in his own capacity and can be reached on [email protected] for comments.
