In second grade, I was in the “Discovery Program” for high potential kids.

In fifth grade, I was selected as top pitching prospect at Georgia Tech baseball camp.

In seventh grade, I was picked to participate in the Duke TIP program for high potential students.

In my junior year of college, I was selected for the two-year Leonard Leadership Scholars Program for high potential developing leaders.

At 24, I was selected as an Atlanta Global Shaper for my leadership potential.

…

At some point, potential is no longer the goal. The potential has to be realized for it to matter. We could spend our entire lives seeking recognition and “high-potential” praise.

But what actually matters is the change we make in the world. The way we move people. The body of work we create.

I don’t want to be high potential. I don’t want to rely on getting picked for my sense of self worth.

If you’ve been told you’re a high potential person all your life… I’ve got news: so is every other person on the planet. The difference, in the end, is how we use that potential.

The work itself, and the change it creates, is the recognition I want.