As human beings we are born with innate abilities that differentiate us from others. Being the unique individuals that we are, our own set of skills are important building blocks for achieving our greatness. It’s how we make use of these very talents that will allow us to unlock our full potential and strive for success as we continue our progression here in life.

Some people have done a tremendous job of unveiling their hidden abilities while others have yet to discover their true strengths. The question is, how do we find out what skills we possess and what are the steps needed for us to harness this inner power?

Unlock Your Potential: 3 Keys to Harnessing Your Hidden Aptitudes

With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.

— Dalai Lama (more quotes)

Identify what you’re really good at

The first step to unlocking your full potential is to find out what you’re really good at. Figure out what skills have helped you thrive and what made you stand out from the rest. Are you a physically gifted individual who excels at a certain sport? Or are you the type of person who displays intellectual proficiency in a certain area? The key is to highlight your skills so you have a good grasp of what to focus on.

I always had a knack for expressing myself through words when I was a kid and growing up. I realized that writing was one thing I’m really good at. We are generally good at a few things, but there’s always that one area where we do exceptionally well. That’s where your potential lies. The results tend to be better when we focus on doing what we’re naturally good at. The road to harnessing your inner power starts with identifying your strengths and putting your time into developing it.

Master your craft

Once you have a good idea of what specific skill you need to focus on, it’s time to master your craft. This is where dedication, hard work, and patience come in. Investing your time, effort, and energy into developing your talents is vital to achieving your fullest potential. Ever wonder how the greatest athletes and world champions achieved greatness? It’s the countless hours they’ve spent training and mastering their craft that put them in a position to succeed. They were wholly dedicated to sharpening their iron, and the results speak for themselves.

It’s the work you put in when nobody sees it that matters. I remember when I first started out I was willing to stay up late at night just so I can perfect my writing. The results won’t be immediate, and it will take some time before you see your hard work come to fruition. In the end though, it’ll all be worth it. Perseverance and determination will make it happen.

Turn your talent into passion

Now that you’ve taken the time to identify your craft and perfect it, the last thing you need to do to reach your full potential is to turn your talent into passion. You have to love what you’re doing in order to succeed at it. It will spark a huge flame inside you that will push you to keep doing better and going further on the path to achieving your goals and ambitions in life. It’s this very motivation and love for your craft that will allow you to transcend your limits, and to live up to what you were supposed to be.

To be able to do what you love and be successful at it — that’s what we’re all aiming for. Identify your skills, master your craft, and turn your talent into passion. Soon enough you’ll be on the verge of breaking out and blazing your own trail.

Remember, the sky’s the limit, and now is the time to spread your wings. Fly high and aim upwards.