The Journey of Progressive Realization

Self-discovery is a vital component of a fulfilling life. Without it, people fail to find joy, fulfillment, and meaning. For over a decade, I’ve worked with a diverse group of individuals and organizations to help them achieve self-understanding. I call this invaluable process the “Landing Up! path to progressive realization of full potential.”

Progressive realization is a journey toward self-discovery through various stages, steps, and small realizations that add up to huge insights about the self. The more you are aware of you unique gift and the talents the support it the more you will consciously and unconsciously apply it. As you move from one stage of progressive realization to the next, you’ll discover more about yourself, actualize your discoveries, and put your insights into action. In effect, each new discovery becomes a higher platform in the journey, bringing you closer to your full potential.

There are two main parts of progressive realization: discovery and confirmation. The discovery portion of progressive realization involves discovering your given gift. This process is driven by asking questions of the self to discover what comes easily to you, what brings you the most joy, and what fuels your energy. As these questions are answered, your innate gift is revealed.

Once you start applying your gift, the confirmation phase begins. Confirmation refers to the positive reactions and outcomes you receive in response to applying your gift. As you discover your gift and start applying it, you will receive confirmation of your gift, which will give you confidence in your newfound purpose. In turn, that confidence gives you the boost required to continue to the next step of your progressive realization journey.

Self-actualization to full potential is about constantly progressing, or landing up; it’s never about going backwards, or stepping down. Each step along the way—even if it doesn’t seem to work—is a step in the right direction. If something doesn’t work, that’s actually a great gift. It simply gives you the opportunity to try a different approach. When people say, “I’ve failed,” I say, “That’s success!” Failure enables us to take stock of our situations, think about how we can angle them differently, and apply our gift in a different way going forward.

By way of example, let’s say that your gift is to engage people. While in the past, you might have gone to an event just for the sake of attending, progressive realization compels you to attend an event with purpose. You don’t say, “I’m going to go to this event.” Instead you say, “I’m going to go to this event to engage people.” The object isn’t just to show up; the object is to engage.

Once you attend a few events, you’ll begin to notice that some are more successful than others. You might engage fewer people at larger events, and more people at smaller events. Learning from your failures in this way, you can begin to seek out smaller events where your gift is better received by those who need it most. As you begin to engage more people, you are helping them to achieve a higher level of self-realization themselves. At the same time, you’re making progress in your own self-realization. It’s a complete, self-fulfilling pattern based on divine intent.

Confidence is simply the memory of having done a task exceedingly well—to the point where you feel authority in it, and you feel energized by it. Once you achieve confidence in the application of your gift, you’ll never lose that feeling. It’s the motivation that gives you the energy to continue your progressive realization journey.