The topic of potential is fascinating to me. We use the word often, describing young kids in school or a sports team at the beginning of a new season. When you say something has potential, you likely mean it has the necessary abilities or qualities to be successful or valuable. While there is no guarantee potential will be reached, the possibility exists.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches therof” (Matthew 13:31-32).
Just as a tiny mustard seed has the potential to become a tree, it also has the potential to be wasted if the seed is never planted. If you do not care for the seed by providing the necessary resources to help it germinate, the potential of the seed is wasted because it will not grow. Then, if any number of pests, storms, or diseases attack the plant, it may also not meet its potential.
The same is true in our lives. We have great potential for many things, but without the required effort, our potential will not be realized. We see this played out in our personal lives, as well in the financial world. Individuals don’t tap into their growth potential because they leave the seeds in the bag rather than planting them and letting them grow and mature. Or they use the seeds for lesser things and neglect the things with the greatest potential to impact the future.
Planting seeds is only the start; full potential requires constant tending. Perhaps most interesting about potential is how hard it is to develop but, in contrast, how little it takes for it to be wasted. Seeds become seedlings, but they need time to grow. Planting seeds of potential early allows them more time to grow. Many farmers even use greenhouses or seed starters to begin growth well before the growing season, giving their crop a head start in reaching full potential.
A delay in planting or trying to produce a healthy crop in an unnaturally short window of time doesn’t allow the plant to grow deep roots. Planting late doesn’t mean your crop yield will be nonexistent, but it will not realize its full capacity, and much potential will be wasted.
Like plants, our finances are all about potential. We fund retirement accounts and investments to tap into their potential value increases. Sure, many other things can impact whether they meet their full potential. Whether low market returns, the mood of the economy, supply chain issues, or international conflict, financial potential for growth can be derailed. That’s why time is so important. Give your finances time to grow. Plant multiple seeds. Do your best to provide the conditions to build your investments to reach their potential.
Potential is easy to waste, and the most likely way to waste potential is inaction. Don’t take a step, don’t plant the seed, don’t adjust for changing conditions, and the potential to grow meaningfully will dwindle. Do your best to avoid that trap!
Thankfully, the more potential is nurtured, the greater the future potential becomes. Continually building upon potential takes work and discipline, but the harvest will make all the effort worthwhile.
So, don’t delay. The potential is great, and getting started is the most important step.
About the Writer: John Brummitt became director of Richland Ave Financial in January 2016. He graduated in 2011 with an MBA from Tennessee Tech University. A 2004 graduate of Welch College, John has served with Richland Ave Financial since spring 2006.
