Limits are an illusion

I just got a new pair of Jordan sneakers, and inside the box was a postcard. On it was a quote from Michael Jordan that said:

“Limits, like fears, are often an illusion.”

Exactly.

Far too many of us see limits all around us. We see limits in ourselves, and we see limits in others. We see structural limits in our organizations and in our societies.  We have limiting beliefs and then we end up letting other people believe them as well.

Sure, some of these limits are real. Sometimes external forces really do limit individuals from success because of race, gender, and equity. We can’t dismiss those challenges, and as a society we need to see and overcome them too.  

But far too many limits are illusions. We see them in the here and now, and we feel like our strength and our leadership can’t easily manifest overcoming them.  

But you can overcome them, because they aren’t real.

You might not be able to reach that mountaintop (yet). You might not be able to implement that strategy and build that community (yet). You might not be able to see the bright light of success (yet).  But you will never get past those limits if you believe they are real. If you are afraid of them.

There are people who will tell you limits are real.

Don’t believe them.  Believe in yourself.

You have nothing to be afraid of.

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P.S.  Speaking of going beyond limits, I recently published an article about why it is time to do a “community check-up” for your organization.  Do you feel like the communities (of employees, customers or alumni) that you worked so hard to build are limited in their impact?  It doesn’t need to be this way.  Read why.