the second half

Navigating self-imposed limitations

 Hello, friends!

It’s an interesting thing to watch children play.  Ask a child what she wants to be, and she will tell you — doctor, lawyer, astronaut, etc. without giving it a thought.   Of course, no regard is given to the education, time, expense or any other obstacles that could get in the way – nor should it be.  But then we grow older, and develop a remarkable and debilitating disease, called “cantmakeithappenitis”.  Yes, as the drudge of time goes by, we decide clearly and concisely what we can’t or won’t be able to do for the remainder of our days on this planet.  See if you are a positive or negative thinker by taking this quiz

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Overcoming Obstacles

I was first introduced to “cantmakeithappenitis” around the age of eight when I got my first bicycle.  I got on it, fell off it, got on it, fell off it……..well, you get the idea!  I remember jumping up and saying to my grandfather, “I can’t do it,” and walked away in a huff.  Given the amazing amount of paternal smarts this man had, he laughed and said, “sure you can!”  I jumped back on the bike, and the rest is history.  Good thing, since had that revelation not occurred, I’d still be staring longingly from the curb at the other adults riding their bikes

“Self-imposed limitations” plague us daily and infect a remarkable number of people.  I hear from friends, family, co-workers and complete strangers more times than I care to remember why they can’t do something.  Granted, there are a number of things that we are unable to achieve for logical reasons; certain jobs take particular education or training, some sports or activities require advanced skills, strength, coordination, and so on.  Rarely is it written that a person is unable to perform something because they are of a particular gender, religion, height, weight, or ethnicity.  The neat thing about self-discovery is that once a person realizes he can do anything he wants to do badly enough, he’ll figure out a way to do it.  Hey, just because you may never be Michael Jordan is no reason not to take up basketball!

Finding Your Way Around

So, why do people decide to put up these roadblocks?  Fear, apathy, other demands in their lives and confusion on how to get started are just four of the reasons given.  The lack of desire to change behaviors that have become acceptable in our lives is also high up the list.  It’s amazing how many times people start their sentences with, “If only…”, “One of these days…”, “I wish…” and “Maybe…”.  Changing personal behavior can be difficult.  Why?  It’s not within the DNA of the human race to alter behavior.  It’s not fun, not comfortable and certainly, never easy.  One doesn’t realize the subconscious mind drives a person’s perception of everything.  Yes, we actually convince ourselves how life will be and what our part in it will look like.  A great resource to help with changing behavior can be found here.

 Breaking Free  

There are indeed ways to get around the barriers.  Helpful options include surrounding one’s self with positive people, particularly those with lots of ideas.  Another is using “Why not?” as a rebuttal to the statement “I can’t do that.”  One should look at whatever obstacle is in the way and decide what changes must be made to make “it” happen.  The elimination of excuses can make a dramatic difference in one’s life.  How much can the brain power a person while overcoming limitations?

 Another “roadblock-buster” is somewhat cerebral.  One should try to open up the right side of one’s brain by finding a stimulating creative outlet.  Undertaking something creative like drawing, photography, building, cooking, etc., allows a portal of the brain to open granting access to visualization.

 “Visualization” is defined as a formation of a mental image, or to make something more visible.  In goal-setting, the image is formed in your “minds-eye” as if it’s real.  You place yourself in the position of achieving your goal in a continuous manner.  The harder the focus, the better chance of accomplishing the goal.  To put this technique to work, use the goal-setting guide here.

 The good news is that we have a lot of control over what happens in our life.  Determination and perseverance will carry you sometimes when your energy level is almost empty.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings,” and I think I would have to agree.  It is 45 years later, and I still know how to ride a bike!

 And with that, friends, I’ll leave you with this;

 You’ve got to SEE positive to BE positive!

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