Limited Abilities Part 1

While reading Limitless by Jim Kwik, I learned about the limited ideas that we entertain and belief systems. The limited ideas that we entertain are present in those instances where we limit our capabilities. This takes place via the self-talk that we use (e.g., "I am not good at (insert ability here)."). Our belief systems come from what we deem to be currently possible. Together these limited ideas and belief systems work to hinder our ambitions and become the perceived constraints of our abilities.

What limitations have you placed on your abilities?

1. I have to be cautious about playing sports. If I play too hard, I'll re-aggravate my previous injuries.

2. I have to slow down. I am not as young as I used to be.

3. I am not good at remembering names.

4. I don't have to remember things. I have a smartphone for that.

5. Now that I am older, it is too hard to learn new languages.

These are just a few of the many limitations that I place on my routine activities. Upon further examination, I recognized the damage done by being guided by these thoughts. The physical limitations led to substantial weight gain, which re-aggravated my previous injuries and increased my discomfort. The mental constraints formed a roadblock when I sought to do something that went against these beliefs.

Throughout his book and podcast, Jim Kwik indicates that our brains are like computers and that the programs it will run are the things we tell ourselves. Since every negative thought that I had led to those exact results, I quickly concurred with this line of thinking. Other factors did not seem to matter when it came to the power that these thoughts appeared to have over me. In my eyes, something has to change if I am going to evolve into a better me.