The Potential Principle: A Proven System for Closing the Gap Between How Good You Are and How Good You Could Be

141 Pages·2017·0.76 MB·English

by  Mark Sanborn

Praise for The Potential Principle
“Potential was always a negative term. It meant what you could be but aren’t.
Mark has created a blueprint to turn your potential into reality. Everyone who
thinks they have more in them should read this book.”
—Scott Stratten, president of UnMarketing Inc.,
bestselling author
“The Potential Principle not only reminds you that you can always get better, it
gives you the precise blueprint for doing just that. A must-read for high
achievers!”
—Jay Baer, president of Convince & Convert and
author of Hug Your Haters
“Our company founder had a belief that we should ‘re-earn our positions every
day in every way.’ Mark has revealed the treasure map to get there—I am
reenergized.”
—Dina Dwyer-Owens, cochairman of the Dwyer
Group and author of Values, Inc.
“If you’ve ever wondered, Can I do better? this book is for you. If you’ve ever
dreamed of going beyond your best, don’t miss Mark Sanborn’s The Potential
Principle.”
—Jeff Goins, bestselling author of The Art of Work and
Real Artists Don’t Starve “Mark Sanborn’s sage
advice to disrupt yourself is spot on. The Potential
Principle will turbocharge your next level of success.
The future belongs to those who keep getting better.”
—Robert B. Tucker, author of Innovation Is
Everybody’s Business
“The Potential Principle is absolutely amazing. After being successful in several
areas of my life I got a wake-up call from Mark Sanborn. Reading this and
realizing ‘how good I can be’ shifted me into another gear. Master the Potential
Matrix and witness The You you’ve always wanted to be.”
—Rod Smith, two-times Super Bowl NFL Champion,
author of The Rod Effect
“In his latest book, The Potential Principle, Mark inspires others to unlock their
true potential. He emphasizes that the only limitation we have is the limitation
we place upon ourselves. This book provides a framework and insights as to how
to be the best version of you! Thank you, Mark, for always encouraging
continuous improvement. You inspire us to embrace the journey!”
—Zoe Kane, senior director, Sun Pharmaceutical
Industries, Inc.

© 2017 Mark Sanborn
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a
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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas
Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of
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Published in association with Yates & Yates, www.yates2.com.
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[email protected].
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version (public
domain).
Any Internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information
printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to
be or to imply an endorsement by Thomas Nelson, nor does Thomas Nelson
vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers,
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Sanborn, Mark,
author.
Title: The potential principle: a proven system for closing the gap between how
good you are and how good you could be / Mark Sanborn.
Description: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2017.
Description: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2017.
Epub Edition July 2017 ISBN 9780718093167
Identifiers: LCCN 2016044059| ISBN 9780718093143 (hardback) | ISBN
9780718093167 (eBook) Subjects: LCSH: Self-actualization (Psychology)
Classification: LCC BF637.S4 S253 2017 | DDC 650.1--dc23 LC record
available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016044059
Printed in the United States of America
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Please note that footnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external
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the date of publication.
To everyone who is committed to continually getting better and making the
world around them better too.
Contents
Table of Contents
Cover
Praise for the Potential Principle
Title Page
Copyright
Frontmatter
Dedication
Contents
Part 1: Why You Should Improve
Chapter 1: The Potential Principle
Beyond Experience
Better Than Your Best
Better at What?
Unlocking the Potential
Chapter 2: Why Get Better?
Better Always Beats Best
Three Reasons to Get Better Professionally
1. Customers
2. Competitors
3. Change
Let’s Get Personal
Purpose
Potential
People
Just What Is Better?
Only One Thing Can Prevent You From Getting Better
Two Paths to Improvement
What Do You Want?
Part 2: The Path to Improvement
Chapter 3: The Potential Matrix
The Benefits of Using the Potential Matrix
The Inner/outer Dilemma
The Potential Matrix
Performing Quadrant
Learning Quadrant
Thinking Quadrant
Reflecting Quadrant
Tips for the Improvement Journey
Combat Comfort to Overcome Complacency
Movement Equals Improvement
The Long Route to Better
Balance Isn’t the Point
Chapter 4: Escalating Performance
If You Don’t Think You Can Keep Getting Better, You Don’t Know Jack
Why Keep Getting Better?
1. Getting Better Is Primarily How Others Evaluate You at Work and in Other
Situations
2. Getting Better Creates the Results You Desire
3. Getting Better Is Observable and Easy to Track
4. Getting Better Is Proof of Improvement
Why Satisfactory Stunts Improvement
Three “secrets” to Improving Your Performance
First, Performance Improves When You Enjoy It
Second, Dedication and Discipline Are Twins
Third, Remember That the Best Have Already Created a Path for You
How to Boost Your Performance
1. Use Fit to Better Your Best Performance
2. Use Feedback
3. Codify Your Performance
4. Track Your Progress