We hear a lot about reaching our full potential these days, but what does it really mean?

One definition is being the best you can be. And that’s different for every person. In your career, it could mean starting your own company and making it grow. Or it could mean having the freedom to work at home as a graphic designer, with the flexibility to pick up your kids after school.

Reaching your full potential is not necessarily the same as rising to the top. It’s about loving what you do, gaining the skills to do the job well, and having a sense of fulfillment that you’re in the right place.

So how do you do that?

  1. Take a step back to get in touch with your real goals. It’s possible to become really successful in management, but feel stuck because you actually want to be on the creative side. There’s no time like the present to realign your career with your talents and strengths.
  2. Become an expert in a specific area of your job that you enjoy. This will not only build confidence but willhelp you to become the go-to person for that particular task. You’ll find yourself spending more time on the work you truly love and less on the jobs you don’t.
  3. Don’t be afraid to reach for the stars. According to author Lauren Maillian Bias, who describes herself as a “serial entrepreneur,” you can’t push yourself out of your comfort zone until you allow yourself to push the envelope of what you imagined possible. Think big.
  4.  Ask for feedback. Just like an athlete who is always working toward peak performance, you can ask questions and learn from others how to steadily improve your skills.

Making progress everyday is the fastest path to reaching your full potential.