Pushing past your limits can lead to growth. But you have to be clear on what your limits are to truly be able to do this in a safe and sustainable way.
Recognizing our physical limitations is relatively straightforward. Our natural fear signals let us know when we're out over our skis a little too much. (And no, I didn't try to ride this!)
Acknowledging other limitations can be more difficult. Perhaps you're expected to have a job skill that you've not yet mastered. Or someone expects something of you that you're not sure you want to do. Or you've tried on your own and don't want to admit to yourself that you need help with the change you want to make.
As we get into week two of this six-part series on sustainable performance, identifying your limits as they relate to the goal you set last week is crucial. Sometimes our limits are our skills. Sometimes they are our ethical boundaries. Sometimes they are our self-discipline. Each of these is as important as the goal you've set your sight on.
Let's take a few examples:
- you want to be more present for your family at home, still you find yourself responding to every single work message that comes in after hours
- you want to begin exercising more often, and you recognize that you struggle with getting up early each morning to do it
- you're in a new role, but you don't have the necessary skills to perform well
Identifying your limits - to your skills, discipline, patience, resources, standards - allows you to set boundaries to what you are and are not willing to do to reach your goal.
Last week, your challenge was to pick one thing (personal or professional) that you want to work towards and write it down.
This week, your challenge is to brainstorm all the limits between you and that challenge - including non-negotiables (such as ethical boundaries), resources, skills, energy, etc. - and write those down.
Check back next Friday for a post on minding the gap between where you are and where you want to go!
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