We all have that inner voice. Sometimes it’s encouraging, and sometimes it’s doubtful. Other times, it quietly installs limits on what we think is possible. These invisible barriers, often built from misconceptions, old fears or even innocent misunderstandings, can hold us back far more than reality ever could.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES
I once heard a story about a new business coach who had big dreams of becoming a motivational speaker. She admired one particular speaker and eagerly attended one of his training events, where she scribbled down notes and absorbed every word like a sponge.
During the session, she heard him say that a great speaker could close 80% of their audience, meaning that 80% of the people listening would buy into the speaker’s idea, product or service. Inspired, she wrote it down, went home and got busy.
She studied her craft relentlessly. She practiced, refined her presentations and held seminar after seminar. Over time, she got better — much better. As her skills sharpened, her close rates climbed. She eventually reached 75%, an incredible achievement by any standard.
But then, she hit a plateau. No matter how hard she tried, no matter what strategies she implemented, she just couldn’t break that 75% mark. Frustrated, she decided to return to her original mentor for advice.
When she explained her struggle, expecting to hear some high-level wisdom, her mentor was stunned.
He had never said that 80% was possible. He actually had said 18%!
THE POWER OF OUR OWN PERCEIVED LIMITS
For years, she had been pushing toward what she thought was possible — not what was actually possible. The ceiling in her mind was set much higher than what most people would consider realistic, and consequently, she had accomplished something extraordinary.
Had she known the real number, would she have settled for less? Would she have given up at 18% or been content with 20%?
The truth is, we often operate within mental limits. If we believe something is out of reach, we don’t push as hard. If we believe it’s achievable, we chase it relentlessly.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
We all have “head trash” that tells us what’s realistic, what’s too hard and what is or isn’t possible for “someone like us.” But how much of that is true?
What if the limits you’ve set for yourself — whether in business, leadership, relationships or personal growth — are made up? What if you’re already capable of more than you’re giving yourself credit for?
What if the only reason you haven’t reached your next level is because you don’t believe you can?
CHALLENGE YOUR LIMITS
The next time you find yourself thinking, “I can’t do that” or “That’s just not possible for me,” stop and ask yourself: Is that true? Or is that just a belief I’ve picked up somewhere along the way?
Because if this business coach’s story teaches us anything, it’s that we are capable of much more than we think. We simply must believe bigger.