Rise above limitations

You may wonder why things just don't seem to go your way.  How can this help define success? You may underestimate the impact of your self-imposed limitations and how they reverberrate.  Each person tends to identify what he or she thinks is wrong with the world, and even judges people or the self. Whether or not this sounds familiar, you may forget or not realize how everything you think, say and do affects the nature of your life now and in the future. 

Each time you add another limitation; mention something you can't do, indicate a reason why your dream won't happen, agree with experts who say your health is doomed, sigh that failure is predictable, justify why ideas are impossible, you may stifle creativity and define your life path. Although a negative comment may appear insignificant on its own, when added to the others, they may become 'the straw that broke the camel’s back.'  Suddenly, activities you could always do become difficult or your view of suffering skyrockets to beyond imaginable.  How can we discover the sources of our hidden limitations and eliminate them?

1) Learn to recognize how you limit yourself.  If you choose to focus only on your strengths and deny your weaknesses, this may hinder more than help you. Learn instead about your own reasons for your sense of weakness.  How do your beliefs hold you back?  As you realize why you benefit from all your skills and qualities, this will assist you to rise above your self-imposed limitations.

2) Ask people for input. What you perceive as your 'trouble spots' may differ from what other people think. By asking for feedback, you may open your eyes to new personal qualities you didn't recognize. Consider people who have told you what they think you can or can't do.  Other people's views of your character may not always be accurate.  It's up to you to find the courage to inquire, to learn to discern the difference and come to accept your own view of the truth.

3) Evaluate possible action. Once you have an idea of the kinds of things that hold you back, the next thing is to devise what you'll do to swing things in your favor.  Defining a challenge enables you to pay more attention to detail. Whether its the state of your health and well-being and a desire to improve a quality of life, your view of behavior in relationships or the workplace and the aim to rethink interactions, or discontent in another area of your life, its to your advantage to review possible approaches that will help you move forward on your terms.

4) Commit yourself to take action. Regardless of your circumstances, you have the choice to alter your beliefs and take new kinds of action to refine and expand on your view of success. Deciding you wish to understand yourself better is paramount.  This isn't only a desire to isolate and clarify your goals, but also a desire to learn why you fear or hesitate to reach them. Why you hold yourself back and how may ultimately surprise you. Knowing is the first step to overcoming such obstacles.