Inside we all have a vision for our lives and who we dream to be.
For some of us this is an extension of our current path, but for many of us, going after what we truly want requires a deliberate shift, which can be hard to do.
Not only must we find the fuel to drive ourselves forward, but often we too must remove those things that hold us back.
If you try to drive your car while the handbrake is still tightly gripping the wheels, you’ll hardly get anywhere, and going after what you truly want is much the same way.
In my experience, these are the three most common things that hold us back:
1. Fear: Obviously holds us back from doing many things, and in many cases it should. You oughta be scared to jump off a cliff, but you know it’s irrational to see changing your job the same way. There are many ways to overcome fear, but the best is to name it, admit how it’s been holding you back, and decide to change it. A great book to read is Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway.
2. Self-image: Many of us have a limited self-image which creates a limited view of what’s possible for us. And, to change our path, even slightly, can require changing how we perceive ourselves (e.g. if you see yourself as an employee, it’s hard to be a leader). The rabbit hole of self-image goes deep, and a great book on this topic is Psycho Cybernetics, which connects the dots between your goals and how you perceive yourself.
3. External Validation: This is a biggie… because we often feel constrained by the opinions of others. Yet, the truth is, nobody who does anything of any value in the world is driven by the validation of others to do it, nor are they deterred by a lack of support. They are motivated intrinsically by their sense of what matters to them, and the conviction to follow their own path.
I can’t think of a singular book to read on this, but I bet you can think of some of the ways this might have held you back, and how to propel yourself forward.