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Last week I shared the first part of my conversation with Kevin Eikenberry, philosopher, speaker, "chief potential officer" and author of Vantagepoints on Learning and Life.

Here's more good stuff from our talk.

• Jeff Blackman: What are the crucial steps to convert desire into potential, and then into desired results?

• Kevin Eikenberry: I tell people to do four things to translate their potential into fantastic results.

I tell them to "BRAG":

1. Believe.

2. Recognize.

3. Affirm.

4. Grow.

• People need to ...

Believe in their potential. To believe that greater potential than they have achieved up until this point lies in them.

Without this belief, people will never tap into the resources inside themselves.

• People need to ...

Recognize their potential. To find their innate talents and uniqueness. Working from these natural strengths will reduce our frustration and make progress toward greater results much easier.

• People need to ...

Affirm their potential. The world around us doesn't necessarily operate from this perspective. We must remind ourselves and affirm our great potential. Often! This doesn't mean we must develop a big head, but rather create a realistic view of the great potential that's ours.

• People need to ...

Grow their potential. We must take the steps to learn the things we must learn ... to get the results we want. This learning can come from everyday life, mentors, books, seminars or interviews. Our opportunity for growing toward our potential is limitless.

• JB: What do folks forget on a daily basis, that if they remembered, would make their lives better?

• KE: Smile. Be gracious and polite. Play more. Laugh more. Judge less.

All of these are things we did as a kid. It's no coincidence that they are now things we need to do more as adults.

• JB: Why are people so hesitant to commit to take action?

What should they do?

• KE: They're hesitant because the commitment to take action puts them outside of their comfort zone. To get past this hesitation, we must be willing to take on the risk and unknown that comes with change.

I encourage people to do two things:

First, create a vivid mental picture of a truly desirable future state ... a "place" they really want to be. Use this mental picture as the impetus to take action and get started.

Then, stop trying to create a complete plan to get there.

Rather, build a loose strategy, with only a clear and definite first step. Too many people spend far too long in the planning phase. Having the "perfect plan" becomes an excuse and a reason to procrastinate.

Our minds don't need to know every detail and every step. What our minds need is a first step. Identify it. See it.

Then take it!

For more steps on your journey of success, be sure to visit http://KevinEikenberry.com.

Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer. His clients call him a "business-growth specialist." Send an e-mail to jeff@jeffblackman.com, or visit http://www.jeffblackman.com and subscribe to his free e-letter.