There are many interesting texts and posts that suggest that the limits we place on ourselves in terms of money, prosperity, happiness and more are a product of our own doing. We create the level at which we believe we should live, and subconsciously go about life in a way that results in staying close to that same level.
Billionairewoman touches on this from a finance perspective, in a recent post titled “Break Out of Your Money Box”. From the site:
“Sometimes our constraints come from our childhood, the attitudes of our family and friends, or just what we believe is possible for ourselves. Your money comfort zone affects both the amount of money you earn on a monthly basis, and your net worth.
This is something I’ll be revisiting later in much greater detail, but I’m interested to hear of people’s experiences with this. Do you think that abundance, happiness and wealth are at anyone’s fingertips if we only allow ourselves to broaden our horizons, so to speak?
There’s a great quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes that goes like this:
What are the limits you place on yourself?
Think about some key areas of your life:
- Fitness, health and exercise, physical appearance.
- Wellness, diet and food choices.
- Finance, money: earnings and spending habits.
- How you spend your time.
- The quality of your relationships, how you interact with other people.
- What you’ve achieved with work, business, jobs or studies.
- Abundance and wealth.
Is it time to get real and break through some of those self-limiting barriers that are holding you back from greater things?
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I think that we are capable of more than what most of us has been brought up to believe. The quote: “You can do anything if you put your mind to it” is just the beginning though. Its easier said than done. The more years of your life you spent hearing the opposite, the harder it is to break out of that mold. It’s a lot of work but worth it in the process and worth it in the end.
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I think Carla’s got it right - we are all capable of so much more than what we believe. Even if we’ve reached great heights, I believe we can still reach higher. That there is no limit to human potential. That said, it doesn’t mean it’s all going to be easy. Or that it we can think abundant thoughts and our life will miraculously change. Envisioning what we want is a great start - but then we have to do the work to make it happen. And I believe it truly can!
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@Carla - Hi, when I think about all the people I know in different financial, social, and working situations, I really think the vast majority live within their own perceived capabilities (myself included). “It’s easier said than done” therefore is a very true statement!
@Lance - Hi there! If There’s no limit to human potential, why do so many people think “I could never do that” for many situations… I’m not disagreeing with what you’re saying, but just illustrating that the power of our perceptions and beliefs really do hold us back sometimes. As you mention, addressing this is not some magic boost to success, it still requires hard work and a shift in mindset. Thanks for commenting.
I can relate to this.My parents raised us to be independent individuals.
My mom stressed the point a woman especially needs to stay focused and not be distracted by guys that would come in to my life at the most inappropriate time. Education first.
So I traveled a lot when I was in college.Lived on my own. But that was something of an advantage.Meeting my BFF in college-I never would have traveled on my own.
It took me about five years after four years at BU before I started feeling something/someone was missing from my life.
I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
I feel complete and I am in a relationship that is flourishing each day.We work hard and find home life is very rewarding.Always coming up with new ventures.
So I would have to say the alarm goes off at different time for each individual.The people you meet along the way your biggest asset and exclude NEVER from your vocabulary.
Cheers
Bunny got Blog’s last blog post..Helping Others To Help Yourself
Ross,
I recently read the book “The Answer” by John Assaraf and Murray Smith. The authors wrote that “thought creates everything”. They went into details about subatomic level, quantum physics, energy, and all that. The finding is interesting; you might want to take a look at this book if you haven’t.
Related to Ross’ article, I never have the financial limit and I believe that I can have it all. I’m never worried about it and I believe that there is a great thing ahead. HOWEVER, regarding how I drink or eat (Wellness), I have a subliminal limit that keeps telling me “You can’t stop drinking.” And that is painful. It is holding me back. One of my best friends keeps saying to himself that he could not have a secured and stable relationship. And he couldn’t.
I am not wealthy but I am happy with my current belief and my way ahead. But things do not balance themselves out; my health is holding me back and that’s quite a problem considering my relatively young age. It is quite troublesome writing a post on my blog or a comment while I’m having a terrible hang over (now, for example).
There must be a way out. So, thank you Ross to make me think of it.
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@Bunny - Hey there, welcome! I’m pleased to hear you feel complete, maybe always being on the lookout for ventures, as you say, contributes to feeling there are no limitations holding you back.
We have to face life with a multidimensional focus and be aware of limitations in many different areas. Thanks for commenting.
@Viriya - You touch on something I was thinking of while writing this post –> our lives are made up of several key areas. While we can be successful financially, it doesn’t help us to be happy. Or fit. Or lucky in love
Only when we see it is possible, than it is possible to achieve. Our beliefs can either be a limiting factor or an important factor that will push us to success.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
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Ross, hi. This was thought-provoking; I love it. It’s a concept I’ve heard before, but not enough for it to have sunk in as deeply as I’d like. While I’ve come to believe the world’s my oyster, so to speak, bringing it back to a more practical level is SO beneficial. “Your…comfort zone affects…” is a wonderful concept to explore. Steve Pavlina writes about this, often, but I just didn’t make it personal. Now that I have some new goals, I’m going stretch my thinking a bit.
Thank you for posting this topic. I’m glad I found you!
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@Vincent - Hi there… Sometimes we strive for goals, but have things holding us back - I think when you truly believe it’s possible to reach new heights as you mention, that’s when you really start seeing some results.
@Julie - Hi, thanks for visiting! It really is about stretching thinking a little more, as you mention… I think when we realise that we limit ourselves by not stretching our imagination, we open the door for greater things. I appreciate your comments and your kind words, thanks a lot!
It’s scary to admit that our only limitations are the ones we impose on ourselves. If we admit that, we’re forced to take responsibility for our own lives.
If I believe that bad things happen to me and opportunities pass me by because the world is a harsh and uncaring place, then, well, it sucks to be me, but that’s about it. I feel safe in my paradigm of suckiness and my victim mentality.
But if I believe that I’m choosing to let those opportunities pass me by and that by extension I’m choosing to let bad things happen to me? That’s an AWFUL LOT of responsibility there. I think that’s why most people set limits for themselves, or stick to the ones they learned when they were young. Being told what you can and can’t do (even if it’s really yourself that’s telling you) feels safer and more secure.
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Hi Ross,
A very thought provoking article! This reminds me of something my friend once told me about motorcycle racing. You can never get good at racing unless you crash because it is only through crashing that you can know the limits of your bike. I’m always surprised by what I can accomplish given enough time to do so. For example, when I first started running, I could barely finish a mile, but now I can run 10 times that distance (albeit slowly) If you asked me back then, I would have never thought I could do it. Great post!
Steve C | MyWifeQuitHerJob’s last blog post..How Our Online Business Brought My Wife And I Closer Together
@Pace - Hi, thanks for taking the time to comment. Here’s a snip of my favourite line from your comment:
“If I believe that bad things happen to me and opportunities pass me by because the world is a harsh and uncaring place, then, well, it sucks to be me.” I love it. I may even direct quote it down the track and attribute it back to you - it’s really a great quote!
@SteveC - Hi, welcome! Well done with the running, it’s amazing what we can achieve once we get past our limiting beliefs! I always appreciate your insight, thanks for taking the time to comment.
I think we definitely allow self-limiting beliefs to hold us back. I know I do it in a lot of different ways. And then I read something like Azeem Kayum’s story in Wrestling With the Goddess and get totally inspired by how he has broken through those limiting beliefs and overcome obstacles that would stop many people in their tracks. So I know it can be done and hearing that others have done so gives me the courage to try once again to get there myself.
@Ruth - hi, welcome and thanks for taking the time to comment… I haven’t read that particular book, but can totally relate to hearing other people’s stories and being inspired!!