Blueprint to Better 002 - Overcoming Limitations

More often than not, the only thing holding us back is ourselves. It’s easy to point the finger and blame external circumstances for why something didn’t work out or why we aren’t where we want to be, and in reality, most people do this. They’ll think, rationalize, or justify anything to not have to face the cold, hard, uncomfortable truth that it’s their own fault.

What holds us back the most are the self-perceived limitations we place on ourselves. “There’s no way I can do something like that”, “I can’t because…”, “if only I had x…”. Sound familiar? The first step to breaking through your these limitations is to accept the fact mentioned above, that your limitations only come from you.

Often times, they can be traced back to childhood experiences, conditioning, and belief systems that were established during your early, formative years, whether by parental influences, societal norms, or other negative environments or circumstances. Limitations can also arise at any stage of life due to any number of factors, including negative experiences, criticism, or personal setbacks.

Regardless of the source and how unfair it may have been, it’s on you to realize that you no longer have to be a victim of your previous circumstances. It’s essential that you do, and that you work hard to no longer be one. You must reframe your mindset and embrace the challenge that awaits - the challenge of overcoming your past and creating the you that you want to be. One that’s not held back by self-imposed limitations. One that can recognize negative thoughts and do away with them. One that is strong enough to overcome your past.

Write down what you tell yourself you can’t do. What you’re afraid of. What your negative mind tells you. Think about each one logically. Why do I think this way? Is there even any truth in this? Chances are, you’ll see them for what they are - made up stories and anxieties that have little to no validity.

Lastly, look at the evidence. Think about all of the things you’ve done, overcome, and accomplished in your life. Each of these things are proof that you can do what you’re trying to do. That you can be who you want to be. Think you don’t have enough, or have done nothing significant? I’d say you’re full of it, but if you insist, then the only thing you can do is get to work. Set some small goals, work harder than you ever have, and accomplish them. You now have some evidence you can do what you say you’re gonna do. Let that give you the confidence to keep moving forward.

By developing awareness of what your mind is telling you, taking accountability and challenging these negative beliefs and thoughts through logically assessing each one, and bringing all of the evidence you have to counter them, you can overcome your limitations. Your first step is believing in that last sentence. You’re already on your way.

We asked IRONWILLED Athlete Dre Harper what "Overcoming Limitations" means to him:

In my opinion, overcoming limitations involves breaking free from those self-imposed boundaries that society places on us, and instead pursuing personal growth and excellence.

It means having the courage to step outside of our comfort zones and take risks, regardless of any obstacles that may arise.

It requires perseverance, resilience, and a willingness to learn from setbacks and adapt our strategies along the way.

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We hope you found this newsletter valuable. Crush your limitations, and we'll see you next week with our fourth installment of Blueprint to Better: Building Healthy Habits.