On Aristotle, Entelechy and Realizing Your Potential

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle is known for many things.

While he is considered as one of the founding figures of Western Philosophy, he had nevertheless made significant contributions in various other fields – from physics to poetry, from biology to politics, from math to music.

Truly, a man of achievement… one that has reached his state of entelechy.

Entele-what? A term that Aristotle coined himself – “entelechy” refers to the condition of a subject whose essence is fully realized. In other terms, it’s being able to actualize one’s potential.

The Entelechy of A Seed
Take an apple seed for example and tell me, what’s the best thing it can achieve in life?

The answer I believe would be to grow into a tree and bear fruit. Thus, becoming an apple tree would be the seed’s state of entelechy.

Now ask yourself, what is your own state of entelechy? Or quite simply, what do you believe is your greatest potential?

Furthermore, and more importantly, what are you doing to realize it?

Many of us have been caught in a trap, running in a rat race that neither uses our best talents nor gives us self-fulfillment. We live day by day, always dreaming of what we want to be but ironically, not really doing anything to fulfill that dream.

How To Realize Your Potential
Take a sheet of paper and spend a few minutes writing the things you want to achieve in life – be sure to focus on the things that give you self-fulfillment, things that you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet.

Then choose one, just one – and write down a task that will help you achieve that goal. Commit to doing that small step.

After that, give yourself a new task to commit to.

It can be for the same goal, or for another one on your list. It doesn’t really matter because oftentimes, our goals complement each other and going a step closer to one helps in achieving the others.

Continue doing this and you’ll start feeling vitality in your life.

The Journey of A Thousand Miles
Indeed, the small steps we take and the everyday successes we achieve is a potent fuel that can move us forward into becoming the best we can be and actualizing our dreams.

Remember, you don’t have to live a life of mediocrity. You can always do and achieve much more than what you have now; and all it takes is that courage to take that first step.

Think of Aristotle; think of entelechy – and start realizing your potential.

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Photo credit: fauxto_digit and Jinto!