Beyond Limitations

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." — John Wooden

Almost every day, we are faced with the choice to make the most of our available resources, abilities, and information or, which is more common, to complain and pinpoint all that we lack—all that stops us from moving forward.

If you look deeper into the problem, or attitude, you will realize that it often stems from childhood. But as we age and mature, the process of change requires us to take on more responsibility. But taking more responsibility is painful because it means we cannot complain and refuse openly, as we did a few years ago as children.

How easy it is for a child to cry their lungs out when they want their mama to pick them up—or when they are refused candy at 6 am. They are ready to cause a scandal.

Not so as an adult, because you are forced to recognize that your complaint or excuse, if you observe closely, is not 100% correct. And it causes serious discomfort to even realize that 1% fault in our claim.

But the more we acknowledge the flaws in our excuses about the world, the more we increase our willpower and confidence. In turn, we boost our ability to take on ever higher responsibilities, at work, at home—and there's no higher reward than looking back and realizing the impact you made through self-trust and persistence.

Persistence in outgrowing the child in you, persistence in going beyond your limits.

Mariam Pare, writer and author, has a message for you along these sentiments:

"If I could talk to myself twenty years ago, I would tell myself to focus on my strengths, and not on my weaknesses; on the things I could do and not the things I couldn't do; to strive to excel and hone those skills to the point of excellence. That this was the best strategy to secure my future. I would say to myself that the only real obstacles you have are those you create for yourself."

Cancelo Alvarez