How many times have you thought or heard, “I’m not a runner,” or “I don’t do fill-in-the-blank” or “I could never…” Sometimes, yes, it’s true. But sometimes we’re just holding on to thought patterns and habits that limit us. I think they’re called “limiting beliefs” but I’m not quite sure where I heard that phrase…some personal development book I’m sure.
Limiting beliefs can keep us from trying things. Sometimes they’re limits imposed on us from outside influence and sometimes they’re limits we place on ourselves.
My Own Limiting Beliefs
I was never an exercise person, never sporty. I’m embarrassingly uncoordinated and was never drawn to sports. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being the bookish drama-club kinda girl I was. What is wrong is letting that keep me from doing things that might have been a lot of fun.
I sat on the sidelines and watched people for years and years. I watched people do things that looked like a lot of fun, but I never joined in for fear of being embarrassed, because I felt self-conscious. For feeling like it just wasn’t something I did, whatever it was- running, volleyball.
The greatest gift of exercise has been that it changed my mindset. All my life I sat on the sidelines and watched other people run. One day I started to run. Slowly, walking first, and gradually running more.
Don’t let who you think you are stop you from trying something or going after something. Don’t let who other people think you are or want you to be stop you from doing something.
Push yourself outside your comfort zone. That is where you’ll grow. That is where you’ll gain confidence and see change.
Make Yourself Proud
Doing something you once couldn’t do (or thought you couldn’t do) is a great way to feel proud of yourself.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be proud of who we are and the things we do each day. I’m proud of being a good mom and (on good days anyway) I do lots of things that make me proud of the kind of mother I am. But I’m talking here about more concrete things. A task that can be finished, a specific goal that can be met.
You might have these kinds of things at work, but I’m talking about something outside of that. Doing something, achieving something, just for you and just for the sake of achieving it can really make you feel proud. It’s a great way to boost your self-esteem and your self-confidence.
Once you get over the hurdle of trying that first new thing, it gets easier to tackle other things. New things, old things, ordinary everyday life things.
What is something new you’d like to try? I’d love to hear!
P.S. Share this post with someone who could use it! Or someone you want to rope into your new endeavors 🙂
P.P.S. And don’t forget to subscribe to receive my newsletter!
Leave a Reply