Heal Yourself Series

Know Thy Limits

“A great man is always willing to be little.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

The portion that discusses your strengths and weaknesses is an important element of the findings of a Myers-Briggs Personality type test. Many of the mistakes we make and challenges we experience may have been avoided entirely if we were more aware of our limitations. Consider an enthusiastic weightlifter who attempts to lift too much, too soon. What do you believe will occur?

Any logical person can see that the weightlifter is going to damage themselves. Some would argue that this depiction encourages us to restrict ourselves, and that if we do, we will never know our real potential.

There are no limits to what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it, and you never know how powerful you are until you try. You must, however, guarantee that reason and logic prevail when striving to attain your objectives. If you've never lifted 100 pounds before, then starting with 20 pounds today is a better option. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big, but I'd recommend starting small and working your way up. In essence, I am asking you to keep your expectations low.

Modesty will not only help you avoid unrealistic expectations, but it will also help you define realistic deadlines to achieve your goals. Many people get unsatisfied when they reach a certain age and have not achieved a certain goal. Consider the similarities and differences between Mark Zuckerberg and Colonel Sanders. Colonel Sanders did not become the creator of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) until he was in his sixties, whereas Mark Zuckerberg founded his Facebook empire in his early twenties. Both men are considered as extremely successful, yet they achieved their success at different times.

Perhaps it's simply not your time, or perhaps you're not in the correct industry. As said in Chapter 1, pursuing a profession in an area you enjoy can help you stay motivated and successful. This hypothesis is proved in both of these men's lives. Their achievement was the outcome of a love for what they did.

A humble outlook on life can also assist you avoid comparing your accomplishments to those of others. Some people strike it out of the park on their first try, while others must work their way up the ladder. Some people marry right out of college, while others must wait a few years and kiss a few frogs before finding the ideal partner. Indeed, both Mark Zuckerberg and Colonel Sanders faced several setbacks on their route to success. You will as well. Expect nothing to change in your life. Whatever your goals are, you will have to work harder than you have ever worked before, and you may have to wait longer than you thought.

The lovely attribute of humility stretches far beyond attaining achievement. This trait will assist you in not biting off more than you can chew. You do not have to agree to everything. This applies to both your personal and professional life. If you want to impress your boss, don't agree to ridiculous deadlines unless you are certain you will be able to accomplish the assignment. If you have been assigned an assignment and are unclear how to do it, do not be hesitant to seek assistance. If you have a full-time job and a family to care for, don't overcommit at your child's school. Know thy boundaries!

This applies to your time, energy, emotions, and skills. Modesty and honesty go hand in hand, and the next chapter will demonstrate how you may utilize this capacity to heal yourself and improve your life.