Your Limits Aren’t Real

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T.S. Eliot

What we can do and what we think we can do are so often far apart.

The problem is 1) we are (generally/overwhelmingly) so wrong about what we’re truly capable of and 2) we take our repeated thoughts about our limits as truth.

The antidote isn’t attempting to do something grand and bold; no, that would be scary and invoke your survival response and you wouldn’t follow through (or likely even start).

Instead, take small steps and be careful to notice the fearful and limiting thoughts that crop up.

As they do, and they will, carefully dispute them with calm, cool truth.

For example, say to yourself: “I could do that if I learned how to do X and Y and practiced the key skills of that thing. It would be tough to learn new skills, and maybe even annoying at times to be a “beginner,” but it might be worth it. I am going to consider this idea in the context of possibility and my ability to learn.”

As you carefully – and resourcefully – do this practice you will 1) get better at understanding yourself and your desires, but 2) you gain confidence and clarity about what you want to do.

Similar Posts

  • Is There Luck?

    A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It’s seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. – Howard Schultz People who really, truly, believe in luck think they don’t get any. People who are happy, productive and content know there’s no such thing as “luck.” Luck is preparedness…

  • Be Clear

    It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted. – Mary Flannery O’Connor It’s not enough to not be passive, one must have desire. It’s not enough to move, one must have a purpose. It’s not enough to be active, one must be…

  • Just Sit Quietly for Three Minutes. Seriously.

    This week’s external resource is a transcript of an interview with Mirabai Bush. She teaches meditation and mindfulness. The article describes different programs she has been involved with and the myriad benefits of increased mindfulness: better listening, team work, stress and anger management and improved health. I want you to read the article, but more…

  • Which Type Are You?

    While no classification system is perfect, or complete, they can be helpful to make distinctions. While reading an eBook the other day I came across one that characterized people as either: Spectators, Losers or Winners. I recoiled a bit at the particular word choice and thought I could improve upon it. With that in mind,…

  • Don’t Speak, Unless…

    “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” – Plato I have read that one should not speak unless it improves upon the silence. It’s good advice. One thing I am working on (improving) is my word economy. Sometimes I talk too much. I offer more detail…

  • Kant Had it Backwards

    “‎The ‘I think’ which Kant said must be able to accompany all my objects, is the ‘I breathe’ which actually does accompany them.” – William James I have long thought that Kant had it wrong when he said “I think, therefore I am.” Sometime not long after my Intro to Philosophy course at Hobart College…

2 Comments

  1. Wise words, Matt! Change starts with the noticing…

    Also, you and I are on the same page – big growth does not always require big leaps.

    ~ Alli

Comments are closed.