Uncover Your Unique Potential
Find Your Highest Function
Image Credit-history.comAristotle argues the best way to live is to fulfill our function.
Which is our ability to reason and our unique capabilities.
I'm not going to bore you with deep, heady philosophical talk about reason.
Instead, let's uncover your unique capabilities—the ones Aristotle believed were given to you for fulfilling your life’s mission.
And I believe he is right, because we aren't made to be carbon copies of those around us.
We all have unique gifts, but sometimes they're hard to see.
Growing up I would see someone's unique brilliance and try to emulate it.
I always fell short.
Why?
Because I was trying hard to be like them, while they weren't trying at all.
Today I'll teach you (and myself) how to recognize and cultivate your unique capabilities—the ones that make you, you.
Strive for excellence
There's a feeling you get when you see someone doing something great.
It's inspiring seeing someone performs their unique function to the best of their ability.
It makes part of you wants to be great too.
This is where I used to fail:
by trying to copy their unique function instead of uncovering my own.
Wanting to be great is a good thing.
It means there's something inside you that craves excellence.
But sometimes we suppress that desire, especially when we see someone doing something too great.
Instead of being inspired we feel inadequate.
I've learned ignoring this feeling only makes it worse.
So uncover it.
Face it head on.
Let it guide you.
As Carl Jung states, "Where your fear is, there is your task."
Fear often signals where growth lie.
Avoiding it might spare you temporary pain, but confronting it leads to freedom from lingering self-doubt.
Find your unique capabilities
With a desire to strive for excellence and an ability to reason, we can begin uncovering our unique capabilities.
Start by asking yourself these three questions:
What do you naturally excel at?
What activities make you feel energized & fulfilled?
What do others compliment in you or seek your help with?
Write your answers down. Now let's take it a step further.
Step 1: Track patterns
Look for recurring themes in your answers.
Where have you consistently succeeded?
What skills or qualities stand out?
Step 2: Use tools for insight
Try personality assessments like Myer-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Ikigai Framework, or career aptitude assessments.
These can provide you valuable "personal analytics" about where your strengths lie.
Step 3: Explore your curiosities
Step out of our comfort zone and try new things. Afterwards ask yourself:
Did you enjoy it?
Why?
What did you learn?
Step 4: Seek honest feedback
Ask trusted friends, family, or colleagues:
What do you think my strengths are?
What do you think I'm uniquely good at?
Compare your answers with your earlier reflections. Are there any patterns?
Step 5: Reflect holistically
Finally ask yourself, "How can my skills solve problems, serve others, or create something meaningful?"
Aristotle believed our purpose isn't just about personal fulfillment—it’s about contributing to others. When you use your unique capabilities to serve, you not only help others but also find deeper meaning in your own life.
Final thought
Here's a practical example from Chat GPT I thought was excellent (I will do this myself later).
Practical Example: Cultivating a Talent
Suppose you discover you have a knack for public speaking.
Reflect on when you’ve successfully communicated ideas or inspired others.
Experiment with joining a debate club or delivering presentations at work.
Seek feedback from colleagues on your clarity and persuasiveness.
Align your speaking skills with a virtuous cause, such as teaching or advocacy.
Practice regularly by watching TED Talks, refining your delivery, and challenging yourself with new topics.
Avoid arrogance by balancing humility with confidence.
Use your skill to educate or inspire others toward positive change.
Practical steps like these make abstract ideas actionable.
Let's start simple. Answer these three questions.
What do you naturally excel at?
What activities make you feel energized & fulfilled?
What do others compliment in you or seek your help with?
The answers may be the first clues to uncovering your highest function—and living a life of purposeI help undisciplined people wanting a change in their unfulfilling lives find purpose and progress towards their personal goals.
Follow me on YouTube: @1andrewrauch, Substack, and Twitter (X): @AndrewRauch00 to learn more.
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