Maximizing the Currency of Human Potential

"The true value of money is not in its possession but its use". In the same way, our quality of life must be anchored on a set of values independent of how much we earn. Whether we are millionaires or minimum wage earners, the most important matters must be kept in perspective. Our families, close relationships, fulfilling occupations, our religious beliefs and how much more we can contribute to humanity are the most important variables that factor into the quality of life one attempts to lead. Of course, it is understandable to occasionally lose sight of these intangibles, as we focus on running the ineluctable rat race, but having the ability to pull back and put things in perspective may sometimes be our only saving grace.

If we measure ourselves or others based on financial standing alone, there is only so much we can appreciate. Regardless of how important we think finances may be, on the grand scale of things, money is nothing but a means to an end. How much we earn does not even begin to describe the scope of our potential. Little wonder, there are innumerous examples of people who, at one point in time, had nothing other than the wealth between their ears and they went on to influence millions of people. The Thomas Edisons, Abraham Lincolns, Oprah Winfreys, J.K. Rowlings, Ingvar Kamprads of the world understood that winners don't do different things, they do things differently. They understood that no matter how big their dreams seemed, it was nothing compared to the content of their human potential.

I am very passionate about Economics and I understand that its application bears results that supersede way beyond the strict disciplines of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Everyone requires some degree of economic acumen as well as a decent amount of experience in earning, spending and investing money in order to be a fully functioning member of the society. I wonder why we don't always exploit these economic capabilities in other areas of our lives. How about managing our intangible assets, like the mind, energy and time, in the same way?

In this economy, we are no strangers to maximizing benefits and minimizing costs. In the same vein, we can focus our energy on the matters we are most passionate about. The currency of our human potential expands into infinitude, way beyond the figures in our bank accounts. So the question should not be, "Can I afford this?", but, "Is this what I really want to focus my resources on?" Just as in archery, you can only hit one target at a time. So also the road to maximizing our human potential begins with focus. 

The law of conservation of energy states that, "energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but  transferred from one form to another". Whatever success one experiences in one area of life can be channeled to other areas. All that is required is a change of focus. I really appreciate Governor Schwarzenegger's quote: "the mind is the limit". The psyche  is the right starting point for any achievement we're looking to attain. Just as in Physics, it all begins with potential energy. Our human potential is limitless and the earlier we begin to employ this  ever eluding dormant energy, the closer we are to living that higher quality of life we all deserve.


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Photo: Courtesy The Movie; "Limitless". Directed by Neil Burger