INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In order to realize your full potential, you must know and live according to your core values. These are the things that shape how you view yourself, others, and the world around you. Studies suggest that you will find your life more meaningful, and feel a deeper sense of well-being, if you live a life that is "value-congruent," or in line with what's most important to you. Ask yourself some questions to get started: Think of two people you really admire. What do you admire about them? What do you find inspiring? Why? How do you think these things could manifest in your own life? Think about a moment in your life when you felt very satisfied or fulfilled. What was it? Why did you feel that way? If you could change just one thing in your community, what would you change? Why? If your house was on fire (and your family and pets were all safe), what three things would you try to rescue? Why? Once you've answered the above questions, examine your responses to see if any themes or patterns emerge. For example, perhaps you really admire your mother's selflessness and empathy and your brother's work ethic. Maybe you would save your family photos, your wedding dress, and a cherished family memento. These would suggest that one of your values is relationships, especially with your family. Your values are yours, and no values are "superior" or "inferior" to any others. Some people may value Competitiveness while others value Collaboration more highly. There is nothing "wrong" with either of these values. If you don't feel like you're living up to your true potential, it could be because parts of your life are currently not value-congruent. For example, perhaps you were raised to be self-effacing and not take credit for your achievements, but a core value for you is Acknowledgement. You probably wouldn't feel like you were realizing your true potential if you were not acknowledging your accomplishments, and if others didn't occasionally acknowledge your work too. Think about areas in which your life doesn't match up with your values, and see whether these are areas in which you'd like to change. Once you have a good idea of your core values and what areas of your life could use a little development, take some time to sketch what you envision as realizing your true potential. Is it personal improvement? More success in your career (or even changing careers)? Realizing your potential in your relationships? If you have identified areas of your life that are not currently value-congruent, this could be a good place to start. For example, perhaps you really value family, but your job demands so much of your time that you aren't getting the quality time with your loved ones that you really need. Realizing your full potential in this case could mean finding a less-demanding job so that you can become the spouse/parent/friend that you really want to be. Or, perhaps you feel stuck in a mid-level job with no hope of advancement, even though ambition is a core value for you. If this is the case, realizing your true potential could mean changing careers to something that allows you to challenge yourself and grow in new ways. Reflect on what realizing your full potential means to you. Is it a way of being? Achieving a certain level of income? Mastering the violin? Most people will have different definitions of potential. It is important that you have some sense of what your potential means to you. The Best Possible Self exercise is a research-backed way to figure out what's most important for you. Begin by imagining that you have been given the power to make your deepest hopes and dreams for your future come true. What does the life of future-you look like? What do you do? Who are you with? How do you feel? Imagine this in as much detail as possible. For example, if you see someone who has just opened her own bakery, think about where it is, how many employees you have, what people think of your business, and how you feel to be your own boss. Examine the character strengths and skills that future-you has used to get to this place. For example, if you own your own bakery, you have some business savvy, you're good with people, you're self-motivated, you have a strong work ethic, you have baking skills, etc. Think about which of these strengths and skills you already have, and which you need to further develop. For example, perhaps you are an excellent baker and willing to work hard, but don't have a clue what it takes to start a small business. Decide how you can develop the areas you identified. In this example, you could read some books on business, talk to other small business owners, and visit the U.S. Small Business Administration's website for guidance. It is OK to change your mind as you learn more about yourself. Take a step back and ask yourself why you are entertaining a particular version of your full potential and whether it is achievable in theory. If you do not at least consider this, you may be missing out on the chance to re-define your potential and all the joy and meaning that may come along with doing so. Achieving your true potential will take time and effort. More importantly, it will take self-compassion. Acknowledge your strengths and skills as well as the areas in which you need to grow. Honor the efforts you make each day toward realizing your true potential.

SUMMARY: Determine your core values. Examine your responses for themes. Identify areas that are not consistent with your values. Decide what realizing your true potential looks like. Visualize the person you want to be. Be patient and kind to yourself.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Place the items together in one area. A plastic mixing container Wooden chopstick Dry pigment Painting spatula An acrylic base Solution (water or an alcohol like rubbing alcohol) Acrylic retarder You can use the flat side of a painting spatula to apply pressure until you do not feel any "grittiness. Paint pigments sold in arts supply stores usually come in powdered form. Many artists also choose to find alternative pigments based on crushed dried plants or other substances. Grind the pigment until you do not feel any "grittiness" as you apply pressure. Most pigments will break down fairly easily, so just make sure that there are no irregular lumps remaining. If the pigment has come in powdered form, you may not need to grind it unless it is lumpy. Before you begin mixing the components together, you should measure and record the quantity of pigment and base used. You may need to make more of a color before you finish a painting or to retouch a painting. You can only do so with consistency if you know how much pigment and acrylic base you used. Acrylic base is essentially paint without pigment. It will usually come in a squeezable tube and the substance itself will appear white. There are several different sorts, such as glossy or matte, and you must determine which type you need for your painting. Use the wooden chopstick to mix them thoroughly together, until the pigment is evenly dispersed throughout the acrylic base. Read the instructions that came with your acrylic binder because the preferred ratio of base to solution varies from brand to brand. Some pigments (especially organic ones) have a tendency to float on water. In this case you would substitute alcohol. Make sure you are using a solution appropriate for the pigment. It's not ideal to mix alcohol into acrylic paints because alcohol dries quickly, causing the paint to also dry quickly. If you are using a pigment that mixes best with alcohol but want the paint to dry more slowly, you can add water after you have mixed the pigment with alcohol. Too much water or alcohol will dilute the acrylic binder, so be careful. Acrylic retarder helps to slow how quickly acrylic paint dries. It's important to follow the instructions that came with your acrylic retarder. However, a general rule of thumb is that more retarder used, the slower the acrylic paint will dry. You can figure out ratios of your own liking as you become accustomed to its use. Acrylic retarders are especially necessary if you are attempting to create photorealistic paintings or portraits of a human subject. Colors must be blended together on the canvas to create the contours of complex shapes, but fast-drying acrylics will set before a second color can be added.

SUMMARY:
Gather all of your supplies. Grind the dry pigment. Measure and record the amounts of pigment and acrylic base. Add the pigment to the acrylic base in the plastic container. Combine the solution with the pigmented acrylic base thoroughly. Blend in acrylic retarder.