Principles of Self-Limitation: Overcoming Self-Limitation

After clear understanding of the causes of Self-limitation, here are ways of overcoming it.

1. Quit doubting yourself and instinct: 

Those who doubt themselves, lack trust in their own gut or instincts, or second-guess themselves continually find themselves far from where they want to be.  Successful professionals believe in themselves without fail.  Sure, they acknowledge they have 'power gaps' or blind spots, and areas that need deep development.  But they forgive themselves for what they don’t know and the mistakes they’ve made, and accept themselves. They keep going with hope and optimism, knowing that the lessons from these missteps will serve them well in the future.

2. Stop 'below the line' thinking: 

Below the line thinking refers to a particular mindset that shapes how you view the world in a limiting way. It leads to your believing that what’s happening to you is outside your control and everyone else’s fault – the economy, your industry, your boss, your spouse, etc.  Below the line thinking says, “It’s not fair what’s happening, and I don’t have what it takes to overcome these challenges. I didn’t expect this and I can’t handle it.”  Above the line thinking, on the other hand, says, “I clearly see the obstacles ahead, and I’m addressing them with open eyes.  I’m accountable for my life and my career, and I have what it takes to navigate through this successfully.  If I fail, I’ll still wake up tomorrow exactly who I am, and will have learned something critical.”

3. Adjust your standards:

Long ago in the world of athletics, sprint race precisely, it was widely accepted that no man could run under ten seconds. However, someone decided to have no more of it. This man's name is James "Jim" Ray Hines. He became the first sprinter to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters with fully automatic timing, running an electronically timed 9.95 to win the 1968 Olympics at altitude in Mexico City. He went on to hold this 100 m world record for 15 years.

When your friends and family are satisfied with mediocrity, say to yourself, "I reject mundaneness. I can become much better than any of my peers. I can achieve greatness never before attained in my lineage." Set your standards higher than your local peer group or your family peak. Aim higher!

4. Be a risk-taker: 

Stop dwelling in unadventurous world. Brace yourself to be a risk-taker. Success is not gotten cheap. Success only come to those who take obstacles and limitations by the nucha and go the extra miles to accomplish greatness. To overcome self-limitation, you've to pull yourself out of comfortability into a little bit of crapshoot. Severe all ties with every thought of limitation and embark on a purposeful journey of illustriousness.

Sometimes ago, a young Edo boy stowed away on board a flight from Edo state to Lagos. He was asked what gave him the effrontery to set out on such a dangerous journey. He confessed that he had always dreamt of flying. But being a poor boy, this dream has always eluded him and the only way he felt he could achieve it was to hide out on a plane. He barred all risks involved - which might have definitely resulted in death - and his bravery or better still, inquisitiveness won him a scholarship.

5. Don't give up: 

Giving up easily without putting up a brave fight is a close attribute of self-limiters. They walk away at the first glance of obstacle. Failure at the first hurdle deter them from pushing on thereby leaving them confined to their self-pronounced limitations. They are always quick to say, "After all, my father never tried this hard and still never became prominent." "My brother worked harder than this and still lives in penury." "My friends graduated with a relatively poor grade compared to mine and they are fairing way better than me." If Thomas Edison had given up on the 10,000th attempt without giving it one last shot, maybe the light bulb wouldn't have been invented. Probably we'll still be living in the world of kerosene and oil lamps. If Abraham Lincoln had quitted when the going got tough, the world might've been a very different place now. Lincoln lost the senate election, but really impressed a lot of the 'right' people, even with his loss. Two years later he ran for president and won. Thankfully, he did not let lack of formal education, initial failure or set backs rattle him. Micheal Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player ever,was once cut from his high school team. He never let that dissuade him and he eventually went on to etch his name in basketball hall of fame. Muhammadu Buhari ran for the post of presidency in Nigeria four times. Thrice he failed, thrice he picked himself up, thrice he never gave up and he finally got the much deserved victory on his fourth attempt.

Failures are stepping stone to success. A success story is apparently incomplete without failure stories incorporated in it. I once listened to the testimony of a woman in her early 50s who in less than twelve years went from O'level certificate holder to a doctorate degree holder including two masters degree in different disciplines. From just an ordinary class teacher, she rose to the role of a vice principal. Now, that is someone who got tired of self-limitation and family history, and braced all odds at an old age to become a prominent person in life. So what is your excuse? Why submerge yourself in abject averageness when God has the best plans for you? Why resign to your family or self-limitations when there is always space in the sky for your star to shine bright? It is never too late. You can still set your world aglow. All you need is to break free from that self-imposed limitations! Remember, nothing is impossible. Impossible itself says,'I'm Possible!'

Let me leave you with these thoughts as we close the curtains on another inspiring episode of Midweek Drive. Thanks as always for sharing your valuable time with me. God bless you all. See you again next week!

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Author: LAMBE OLANREWAJU
Column: Midweek Drive

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