Potential is overrated. I’ve spent my life pursuing excellence in various fields, and I’ve learned that raw talent isn’t what determines success—it’s passion, persistence, and the willingness to apply lessons across different domains.
When people ask me about the closest I’ve ever come to reaching my potential, my answer surprises them. It wasn’t during my time as CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment or my work with the Napoleon Hill Institute. It was as an average Division III football player.
Why? Because football was something I loved deeply but wasn’t naturally gifted at. Since I was five years old, I carried a football everywhere. I practiced relentlessly, studied the game obsessively, and genuinely enjoyed the consistent, persistent pursuit of improvement. Despite all that dedication, I only became average—and that’s perfectly fine.
The Value in Pursuing What You Love
Too many people fixate on areas where they might have “potential” rather than following their genuine interests. They chase careers or pursuits because someone told them they could be good at it, not because they actually enjoy the process.
The journey matters more than the destination. My football experience wasn’t wasted time—far from it. The discipline, work ethic, and persistence I developed through years of football practice became transferable skills that served me well in business and entrepreneurship.
What made football valuable wasn’t the level I reached but what I learned along the way. I discovered how to:
- Commit to consistent practice even when progress seems slow
- Study and learn from those better than me
- Maintain passion through challenges and setbacks
- Recognize my limitations without being defined by them
These lessons became invaluable when I applied them to areas where I did have natural aptitude.
Transferring Skills to Areas of Strength
The most powerful insight I gained was learning to take what I learned from something I wasn’t innately good at and applying it to things I was built for. This transfer of skills and mindset is where the real magic happens.
In business, I found I had natural talents that football never revealed. My ability to connect with people, understand motivation, and see opportunities others missed—these were strengths that flourished when I applied the same discipline and persistence I’d developed on the field.
I love football. I enjoyed the consistent, persistent pursuit of my potential as a football player. And that’s as close as I got. And that’s okay.
This perspective shift changed everything for me. Instead of lamenting my limitations in football, I celebrated what the pursuit taught me and how those lessons could be applied elsewhere.
Redefining Success Beyond Potential
We need to stop measuring success by how close we come to some abstract notion of “potential” and instead measure it by:
- How much we enjoy the process
- What we learn along the way
- How we apply those lessons across different domains
- The impact we have on others through our pursuits
Some of the most successful people I’ve worked with weren’t necessarily the most naturally talented. They were the ones who fell in love with the process, remained curious, and consistently applied themselves regardless of immediate results.
I’ve coached countless entrepreneurs and business leaders who initially pursued careers where they had “potential” but found no fulfillment. True success came when they redirected their energy toward what genuinely excited them, bringing along the discipline and insights gained from previous experiences.
So I encourage you to stop obsessing over reaching your potential and instead focus on pursuing what you love. The skills you develop—even in areas where you’ll never be exceptional—can become your greatest assets when applied to your true strengths. That’s not wasted time; it’s the foundation of authentic success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I’m pursuing something out of genuine interest or just because I have “potential” in it?
Pay attention to how you feel during the process, not just the results. If you enjoy the daily practice, find yourself thinking about it during your free time, and feel energized rather than drained by the challenges, that’s a good sign you’re following genuine interest rather than just chasing potential.
Q: Isn’t it wasteful to invest time in activities where I won’t excel?
Not at all. As my football experience taught me, the skills and mindset you develop through dedicated practice are transferable. The discipline, persistence, and learning strategies you build can be applied to areas where you do have natural talent, often giving you an edge over those who rely solely on innate ability.
Q: How can I identify my true strengths if I’ve been focused on the wrong areas?
Look for activities where you lose track of time, where you naturally see connections others miss, or where you learn faster than peers. Pay attention to what others consistently compliment you on. Sometimes our true strengths aren’t obvious until we step back and observe patterns in our experiences and feedback.
Q: What if I’ve invested years in a career path based on “potential” but don’t enjoy it?
Those years aren’t wasted. Extract the valuable skills, connections, and insights you’ve gained, then begin pivoting toward what genuinely excites you. The transition doesn’t have to be abrupt—start with side projects or volunteer opportunities that allow you to explore new interests while leveraging your existing expertise.
Q: How do you balance pursuing passion with practical concerns like financial stability?
This isn’t an either/or situation. Many successful people find ways to incorporate their passions into practical career paths or build side hustles that eventually become primary careers. The key is to identify transferable skills from your current work that can support your transition, and to make incremental moves rather than expecting an overnight transformation.
