A guide to unlocking your true potential (without the cheesy slogans)
A practical, human guide to living with more purpose and passion.
Good luck parenting this one…
Let’s be honest, phrases like “live your best life” or “unlock your true potential” can feel like they belong on a mug or a bumper sticker. But there’s usually a reason those sayings stick around. It’s because deep down, most of us do wonder what we’re capable of... and whether we’re wasting time living lives that feel smaller than what we secretly imagined for ourselves.
Maybe you’ve felt that quiet pull too. That whisper that says, “There’s more for me than this.” You’re not crazy. You’re also not alone. You’re just ready to live more intentionally, and that’s where this guide comes in.
Let’s pause for a moment to take a closer look at your life and decide what you want to build from here. And that you can build something else.
Start by redefining what “true potential” means.
(Drop the buzzwords. Make it personal.)
Your true potential doesn’t have to mean doing something huge like becoming the next Oprah or curing world hunger. It can mean using the strengths, quirks, and lived experiences that make you you, and figuring out how to channel those into something that feels right. Something that makes you excited to get up in the morning.
Think of it like this:
Imagine you’ve been handed a toolbox. Some tools you know how to use well. Others you haven’t even pulled out of the box yet. Maybe because you didn’t know they were there. Maybe because someone told you not to bother.
Tapping into your potential means learning to use those tools, then deciding what you want to build.
Real talk? That takes work. And guts. You’ll have to get curious about your patterns, your beliefs, and the stories you tell yourself. But the reward is living a life that feels aligned to your values and desires, one that energizes you, rather than drains you.
Connect with a sense of purpose (without needing a grand plan).
Purpose is one of those words that can feel big and overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Living with purpose just means you know why you’re doing what you’re doing. It just means you’re pointed in a direction that feels good.
That’s it.
It’s the difference between dragging yourself out of bed to face another day of soul-sucking routine vs. waking up knowing you’re building something that matters to you. That could be raising kind kids, creating beautiful things, volunteering, or starting your own side gig. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. It doesn’t have to make you rich and famous. It just has to come from you.
I once coached a woman who thought her purpose had to be something “big and brave.” After some digging, she admitted that what actually lit her up was caring for stray cats. So, she started fostering. That turned into local rescue work. She’s now one of the most fulfilled people I know. It wasn’t a flashy goal, but to her, it made her life mean something, and she’s really proud of who she is. (I’m proud of her, too!)
Notice what lights you up.
(Look for sparks, not fireworks.)
Sparkler fight!
So many of us say, “I don’t even know what I like anymore.” That’s normal. Life has a way of piling on responsibilities, and somewhere between laundry and school lunches, we forget what made us feel alive. It happens to everyone. So, where do you even begin?
Start by noticing when you “light up”.
What conversations do you get completely lost in?
What types of tasks make you forget to check your phone?
What did you love doing as a kid?
What do you gravitate toward when you have free time?
For me, I remember spending hours making “magazines” out of scrap paper and designing imaginary courses for my stuffed animals (foreshadowing much?). It wasn’t until my late 20s that I connected that to instructional design (More info about me).
Try things. Follow sparks. Let curiosity lead the way. (And no, you don’t have to monetize every hobby. It’s okay to just enjoy doing stuff.)
Identify and rewrite your limiting beliefs.
(They’re sneakier than you think.)
Let’s name some common culprits:
“I’m too old.”
“I’m not creative.”
“That ship has sailed.”
“Other people are already doing it better.”
Sound familiar?
These aren’t facts. They’re old stories. Often planted by someone else and repeated until we believe them. Get curious. Ask yourself: Where did I learn this? Is it actually true?
I had a client who believed she wasn’t “leader material” because she was quiet. Turns out, her quiet presence made people feel safe. Her team trusted her. That’s leadership, too.
Once you spot your limiting beliefs, you can start rewriting them. (That’s where the fun begins! Wow… I’m such a nerd for this stuff. O.O)
Set goals that actually mean something to you.
(Don’t just think “SMART”, think “soulful”.)
A goal without meaning is just another item on a to-do list. But a goal that reflects what you actually care about? That can change your whole life.
Here’s a simple process to follow:
Ask yourself what you really want. Not what you “should” want.
Define success on your own terms. (Not your boss’s. Not your mom’s.)
Break it down into micro-moves. Progress is momentum.
Leave space to change your mind. You’re allowed to grow.
Not clear? Okay, let’s say your goal is to “start a side hustle.” Why? If it’s just to earn extra cash, great, but if it’s also to reclaim that creative side of you that you don’t get to indulge while working your day job, then build it with that intention. Believe me, that kind of motivation is empowering. And success will be that much more meaningful.
Create a clear vision for your life.
(One that makes sense for you, not your Instagram followers.)
Vision boards get a bad rap, but hear me out. When you know what you’re working toward, it’s easier to say no to the things that pull you off track.
Take 10 minutes and ask yourself:
If I weren’t worried about what others thought, what would I want?
What would a good day, or even an average day, look like?
What do I want more of? Less of?
Now write it down. Draw it on Bristol board. Tape it to your fridge. This isn’t a “make work project”; it’s your compass.
Build habits that support the life you want.
(Spoiler: Small and steady wins every time.)
I know. Habits sound like something your dentist or life coach brings up when you’re already tired. But the truth is, your habits are simply choices you repeatedly make.
Instead of overhauling your whole life, pick one habit that aligns with your vision and make it stick. Maybe it’s journaling for five minutes every morning, or taking a walk after dinner. Or saying no at least once every week. (That one’s my favorite!)
Start there. Build slowly. Watch those small wins stack up.
Practice mindfulness and reflect on your patterns.
(You’ll learn what’s working, and what’s not.)
Mindfulness simply means paying attention, on purpose. Full stop.
You can practice it while drinking your coffee, walking the dog, or brushing your teeth. It’s about noticing what’s happening, without allowing yourself to spiral or numb out.
Pair it with self-reflection, and you’ve got a powerful combo. Ask yourself:
What worked today?
What drained me?
What can I try differently tomorrow?
Reflection helps you spot patterns, and mindfulness helps you pause before reacting. Together, they help you live more on purpose.
Surround yourself with people who bring out your best.
(Your circle matters more than you think.)
One of the fastest ways to feel stuck is to surround yourself with people who don’t believe change is possible.
Pay attention to who energizes you. Who celebrates your growth (even when it’s messy)? Who challenges your limiting beliefs gently?
I’m not telling you to ditch your old friends, but you do get to be selective about who you let influence your mindset. Community matters. Support is not a luxury.
Take one intentional step at a time.
(It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be your choice.)
You don’t need a 12-week program or a perfect routine to get started, just a willingness to take the first step… and then another.
Try this:
Pick one area you want to change. (Energy? Creativity? Work?)
Reflect on what’s working and what’s not.
Choose one tiny shift. (A habit, a mindset, a boundary.)
Track your progress. Celebrate even the tiniest wins.
Your true potential doesn’t need to be unlocked in a day. It just needs to be honored.
You already have the tools. Pick one up and start building.
Want more support in this area?
Explore our Intentional living HUB to reflect, take action, and grab tools designed to help you stop living on autopilot and start living the life you want to be living.
What first comes to mind when you think about living up to your full potential? Drop it in the comments.
New around here? Welcome.
I’m Michelle, a life coach, course creator, and recovering overachiever who finally got tired of chasing the wrong version of success. I don’t believe in perfect lives. I believe in intentional ones.
I started Intendify Your Life to help people stop living for everyone else and start building a life that feels like home.
Warning: I’m a little blunt, a little nerdy, and wildly in favor of tough love and bold decisions.
Want to know the whole story? Start here.
At Intendify, we break life down into 12 key areas and offer guided paths to help you reflect, plan, and take action so you can start living more intentionally, one step at a time.
It’s like having a life coach in your pocket, minus the awkward eye contact.
