Businessman celebrating success with arms raised outdoors.

Steps to Achieving Your Authentic Potential

Posted on: January 21, 2010by Dr Kim Dr Hil

Achieving Your Potential is a Present Moment Experience

Achieving your authentic potential lives in the present not the past or the future. Deepak Chopra says it best, 'The past is history, the future is a mystery, and this moment is a gift. That is why this moment is called 'the present'." Besides when we get to the future it will just be experienced as another moment of NOW.

This is it! This is our shining moment and since you don't know if it will be the last make it your best. Achieving your authentic potential is not a destination. It is an ever-evolving process experienced in the present moment. You cannot achieve it in the future or rewrite it into your past. This is so challenging for our culture to grasp.

Success is not what you have accomplished it is who you have become as a result of what you have accomplished. You can't take it with you when you die!

Inspired Action

Inspired action is an essential part of achieving your authentic potential (inspired action aka action infused with spirit). Whatever you do, minimize taking action that is fueled by obligation, resentment or fear. You are truly working against yourself here. Recognize your choice to take action and consciously choose it!

Many of you may find yourself feeling at the effect of your circumstances or living from your ˜have to do list'. This is not achieving your authentic potential and will lead to mediocrity as you live your life for others or societal standards. Determine what action you are going to take and conjure up any degree of inspiration or alignment you can with what you choose to do. This shift could be as simple as being conscious enough to notice you feel fear or obligation fueling what you are doing.

We recommend that you STOP for just a moment to align with your freedom to choose. This takes you out of feeling at the effect of circumstances and into feeling empowered to shift your state.

Coaching and Counseling

Hilary Stokes Ph.D. and Kim Ward Ph.D. have been a team for 20 years, specializing in mind, body, spirit psychology. They are the authors of the bestselling books The Happy Map: Your roadmap to the habit of happiness and Manifesting Mindset: The 6-step formula for attracting your goals and dreams and founders of Authenticity Associates Coaching and Counseling. They are passionate about combining the best of holistic and traditional approaches to health and happiness. If you are interested in learning the answers to the most frequently asked questions on how to decrease stress and increase happiness sign up for their free video series.

About the Authors

Hilary Stokes Phd

HIlary Stokes, Ph.D., LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist in California with more than 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in trauma therapy, PTSD treatment, anxiety, depression, and nervous system healing. She holds Master's degrees in Clinical Social Work and Kinesiology and Sports Psychology and a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. Dr. Stokes is extensively trained and certified in brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and other mind body approaches. Her integrative work bridges neuroscience, mindfulness, and holistic psychology to help clients process unresolved trauma, rewire stress patterns, and build emotional resilience.

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Dr. Stokes’ clinical approach is informed by advanced professional training and her own healing journey from complex trauma, which shaped her commitment to therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, addiction and PTSD treatment centers, universities, integrative medical facilities, and private practice. As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programming at Sanoviv Medical Institute, she witnessed firsthand the power of integrating mind and body for lasting transformation. Today she helps individuals heal trauma, strengthen emotional regulation and reclaim purpose through brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and mindfulness interventions.

Kim Ward Phd

Kim Ward, Ph.D. holds both a masters and a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. She brings more than 25 years of experience in trauma recovery, Brainspotting and mind-body transformation. She is extensively trained and certified in Brainspotting, somatic therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. Dr. Ward integrates neuroscience, nervous system regulation and consciousness-based psychology to help individuals process unresolved trauma, shift limiting beliefs, and access greater emotional resilience. Her work focuses on healing at the root, beyond symptom management, through brain-body therapies that create lasting change.

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As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programs at Sanoviv Medical Institute, Dr. Ward brings a uniquely holistic perspective to trauma therapy and personal growth. Her path from corporate leadership into psychology shaped her commitment to helping clients move beyond external success toward embodied fulfillment and emotional freedom. Dr. Ward's expertise combines Brainspotting, emotional intelligence, contemplative psychology and purpose-driven coaching. Drawing from both advanced academic training and lived experience navigating complex family mental health dynamics, she supports clients in transforming stress patterns, reclaiming vitality, and aligning with authentic purpose.