Some of the toughest limitations you’ll ever experience are the ones you place on yourself. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, people tend to let their minds develop an opinion about whether or not they can do something.
Often, these limitations are caused by thought distortions, negative thinking, or self-doubt. Regardless of why you experience self-limitations, it is possible to overcome them. To get started, consider these five tips to begin eliminating your self placed limitations.
Tip 1: Kick your inner judge to the curb.
Everyone has an inner judge deep within them. The judge’s voice comes out to tell us what we did wrong, what we could have done differently, or how we might fail at something. While some believe some self-judgement is a good tool for development, it’s actually a big hindrance.
Truthfully, self-judgement creates the opposite effect: Rather than feeling inspired to make changes or do better, all that self-imposed judgement makes us feel bad. Instead of working to push past our barriers, our inner judgement reinforces self placed limitations.
To practice ignoring your inner judge, it’s crucial to recognize its voice. When you hear the gavel of self judgement swinging downward, remind yourself to ignore it and keep pushing forward.
Tip 2: Trade your “what ifs” for “what can I do.”
Daydreaming and fantasizing about things you want in life is great–this is a form of visualization that can help you realize your greatest goals and potential. However, don’t get too caught up in your fantasies. It’s important to give those “what ifs” a real shot in reality.
When you catch yourself thinking “what if,” trade that type of thinking by asking yourself “what can I do today to get myself closer to my dream or goal.” This kind of thinking takes your visions out of fantasyland and closer to reality.
Tip 3: Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice.
Good things come to those who ask–seriously! If you need something or want advice, don’t be shy about asking for it.
Some folks view asking for help, advice, or resources as a sign of weakness. In reality, it’s a great way to get yourself closer to your biggest goals and desires. When you reach out for help (especially toward someone who is knowledgeable), you open yourself to a wealth of information and opportunity. By asking, you’re breaking past your self placed limitations for a chance to learn and grow.
Tip 4: ….Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions in general!
Besides asking for help, asking lots of questions is a great way to tear down self placed limitations. Rather than staying quiet and keeping to yourself, ask lots of questions.
According to Forbes, when you ask questions, you learn more about the world around you, how things work, what’s happening, and what you can do to contribute. All this information is valuable and helps you not only have a better understanding of what’s happening, but also how you can be a part of the action happening around you. Rather than letting self placed limitations keep you passive, you’re allowing yourself a chance to expand your knowledge and grow.
Tip 5: Take time to really understand what you want in life.
Nailing down specific dreams and goals is challenging. When you think of all the opportunities out there, you might even feel overwhelmed. This sense of overpowering possibility causes some people to place limitations on themselves as a method of protecting themselves from potential failure.
When you take time to really understand what you want out of life, it takes away some of the uncertainty or fear from the situation. With a clear picture of what you want, it’s easier to picture yourself there and begin working toward those specific goals.
