This week, I took some time to reflect on how far I’ve come over the past few years, especially the progress I’ve made in the last six months. I’m really proud of where I'm at right now because I've put in the hard work to get here.
I've been peeling back the layers to get closer to my true Self and have done some DEEP diving into exploring myself. Is there still work to be done? "Yes", and there always will be.
While I was creating this weeks material for Soul Food Academy, my group coaching program, I realized I’ve set a ceiling for myself. This ceiling is holding me back from reaching my full potential.
It’s what makes me think I can’t achieve the same level of success I see others reaching.
Everyone has dreams and goals they want to achieve. However, sometimes we unknowingly create barriers for ourselves that hold us back (like me). These barriers, or self-imposed ceilings, come from our fears, doubts, and negative thoughts. By understanding and removing these barriers, we can reach our full potential and live more fulfilling lives.
What Are Self-Imposed Ceilings?
Self-imposed ceilings are mental barriers we create. They come from:
Fear of Failure: We might avoid taking risks because we're afraid of failing, which keeps us in our comfort zone.
Self-Doubt: Constantly questioning our abilities can stop us from trying new things.
Perfectionism: Trying to be perfect can make us hesitate to start or finish tasks because we fear they won’t be good enough.
Negative Self-Talk: Telling ourselves we’re not good enough can stop us before we even begin.
Past Experiences: Bad experiences from the past can make us afraid to try again.
How to Identify Your Ceilings
The first step to overcoming these barriers is to identify them. This is how I was able to identify mine:
Self-Reflection: Think about your thoughts and actions. Are there areas where you feel stuck or resistant?
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can help you see patterns of negative thinking.
Feedback from Others: Friends, family, or mentors can sometimes see your potential and barriers better than you can.
Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Strategies to Break Through
Once you’ve identified your barriers, it’s time to break them down. This is the doing the work part:
Challenge Negative Beliefs: When you catch yourself thinking negatively, question those thoughts. Are they true or false? Can you replace them with a new thought or belief?
Set Small Goals: Break down your big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate each small success.I always tell my clients (& myself) that it's the baby steps that make the BIG changes.
Embrace Failure: See failure as a learning opportunity, not a setback.
Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with people who support you, encourage you and lift you up.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself, give yourself some grace and believe me, EVERYONE has limitations.
Visualize Success: Imagine yourself succeeding. This may feel wierd and awkward at first but it can really motivate and guide you. I often use visualization meditations to help me with this.
Seek Professional Help: If it's hard to overcome certain barriers, consider seeing a therapist or coach for help.
Self-imposed ceilings can hold us back, but they CAN be overcome. By identifying and challenging these barriers, and using practices to break through them, we can unlock our full potential.
Remember, the journey to fulfillment is ongoing. Each small step forward brings us closer to our goals and dreams.
Believe in yourself and keep moving forward.
Mel x
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