Five Ways to Stop Limiting Yourself

Are you standing in your own way? Whether you realize it or not, most of us unknowingly limit ourselves out of uncertainty or fear, when chances are, taking on what you purposely avoid will in fact allow you to grow and be a part of something meaningful. Below are some quick tips on breaking that habit and opening up to positive opportunities instead, along with bonus Disney quotes, because who doesn’t like a good uplifting Disney movie?

Don’t let past experiences scare you

Just because a past experience went wrong doesn’t mean the present situation will bring about the same outcome. When something doesn’t work out as expected, that doesn’t mean it must forever be ingrained in your mind as a negative — spin it into a positive, because after all, you must have learned something, and could put that knowledge to use next time, or the time after that.

“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.” – Rafiki, The Lion King

Overcome avoidance

Avoiding events and situations automatically removes you from the possibility of meeting people or gaining opportunities. You learn to avoid based on past experiences, and push away the positive outcomes that could live ahead. It takes hard work to overcome this habit, but it’s worth the battle.

“The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up.” – Timothy Mouse, Dumbo

Be open to suggestions

We all lead different lives, meaning we’ve been shaped by a variety of unique experiences. Never shoot down someone else’s suggestion right away just because it’s something you never would have thought of. Let someone else’s thoughts sink into your mind so that you can see yourself involved in opportunities that would have otherwise never existed in your mind.

“You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you. But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things you never knew you never knew.” – Pocahontas, Pocahontas

Follow-up on opportunities 

You are the only you that will ever walk this planet. Don’t waste your valuable time thinking someone else will notice your talents — get out there and flaunt them. When you get a lead, always follow-up and show your potential. If you sit around waiting, that’s all you’ll ever do.

“You must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul.” – Gusteau, Ratatouille

Take on new experiences one at a time

You don’t want to overwhelm yourself when starting to tackle something that makes you uneasy. Slowly try out new things, and be sure to reward yourself after every step, because each one is a big win. Once you get used to this inspirational way of facing the world, you’ll find it easier to handle new opportunities.

“Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.” – Rapunzel, Tangled

How about you?

Do you have experiences or tips to share? Spread the knowledge by leaving a comment below.