Health & Wellness Wednesdays

“How will I know who I can become if I don't give myself the chance to try new things, to push myself beyond my normal boundaries? Who might I be if I am away from the things that I currently use to define myself?” ― Eileen Cook

Limits are stumbling blocks between you and your success. You will face stiff resistance when attempting to break through the limit. Resistance could be self-inflicted fear, doubt, low self-esteem, physical disabilities, and mental block. These elements could package themselves as huge barriers.

Sadly enough, most people find it hard to push themselves beyond these limits. They eventually give up and accept the status quo.

As long as you desire a life of success, you must face your fear and push yourself beyond the limits. Failure to do this will truncate your dream and make your goals unrealizable.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The 3 Phases of Life
   • The Pushing Phase
   • The Overdoing Phase
   • The Resting Phase
2. Why Should You Push Yourself?
3. How Do You Push Yourself Beyond Limits and Achieve Success?
4. Final Thoughts
5. More Tips on Pushing Yourself to Achieve Success

The 3 Phases of Life

There are three phases of life that we all constantly cycle between – the pushing phase, the overdoing phase, and the relaxation phase.

Pushing yourself or taking it slow may depend on which of the phases you find yourself in. Let’s examine the phases in detail.

The Pushing Phase

You feel excited about your life, environment, and things in general. You are stepping out of your comfort zone, which many people find hard to do. And this action is also paying off as you are growing.

In this phase, your momentum is high and you may experience exhaustion after using your energy on tasking activities.

The Overdoing Phase

At this stage, you are taking more tasks than you can handle. You are saying ‘yes’ to every task dole at you. You can’t say ‘no’. You might even be tense because you feel you miss deadlines on the project.

This is the phase that precedes burnout. Life becomes overwhelming, so this stage requires adequate management, which I will share in the next phase.

The Resting Phase

It’s time to reflect and regain your balance. If you have been overdoing it while pushing yourself, it is time to rest.

Here is when you ask salient questions such as:

• Am I satisfied with this job?
• Am I working in line with my core values?
• Am I happy in my relationship?’

So, what’s the right phase to be in? The truth is there is none.

However, the pushing phase is the ideal place. Life is challenging enough to stay disengaged. It takes pushing yourself to make the best out of the situation you go through in life.

Why Should You Push Yourself?

Knowing all these, you might ask why should you push yourself? Here are 8 reasons to do so.

1. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Life is boring in a comfort zone. Some people believe you can succeed better in your comfort zone than exploring new frontiers. While that may be true, yet nothing significant can happen until you dare.

You need to do different things and do things differently. You need to see the world and life from another perspective. You need a different result. You can achieve all these by doing the same thing over and again.

Life only rewards those who dare and not those who wish.

2. TAP YOUR INNER STRENGTH

If you have never come across a lion in the jungle, you might never get the chance to tap your running potential. Don’t wait until something pushes you; push yourself.

You have untapped strength to overcome any obstacles than you can ever imagine. Use that strength and refuse to live a life of mediocrity and complacency.

3. LEARN NEW THINGS

Until you push yourself, you cannot explore. And it takes exploration to learn new things. Start a new business and open yourself to new opportunities. Whatever you do, ensure you are learning, growing, and pushing yourself.

4. STAY IN SHAPE

Pushing yourself also impacts your body. You become fit when you refuse to stay at rest.

For instance, you can use the step instead of the elevator. Get your body in motion and stay fit, especially in this lockdown. Studies have revealed that you burn calories as much as 6 to 15% more when you engage in high-intensity exercises.[1]

5. ACHIEVE MORE!

Past glories produce future rewards. Push yourself to generate more results than you did yesterday. Find out what you can do more, even if it is only 5 minutes more. Anytime you make extra effort to add value to your life or that of others, you learn and grow beyond your limits and strength.

6. DISCOVER YOUR IDENTITY

You don’t know your worth and capabilities until you stretch. Listen up! The only competitor you have is YOU! it is while you exert yourself that you get to realize your beliefs, limits, and strengths. Pushing yourself will help you know your true identity.

7. BUILD MOMENTUM

Death occurs in a state of rest. Would you rather be stagnant water or a flowing river? You need a sustained momentum to achieve your goals in all aspects of your life. You can build momentum by going the extra mile in achieving your goals.

8. DEFINE YOUR LIMITS

How do you even know your limits if you don’t push yourself? The next time you push yourself, you will realize you can break through those limits.

How Do You Push Yourself Beyond Limits and Achieve Success?

It is easier to stay in a more comfortable zone than to dare or explore new frontiers. Meanwhile, not pushing yourself will deny you personal growth, professional or business opportunities, as well as life experiences.

So, here are tips to get you out of your cocoon. Don’t forget to start with the hardest part.

1. TAKE THAT FIRST STEP

What you need to get started is that first step. It may not be easy at first. Nothing comes easy as well. The first day at work is boring, the same as going to the gym. But when you continually build your stamina, your motion will become easier. Take the first step to achieve your dream!

2. INSPIRE YOURSELF

Don’t wait for extrinsic motivation to make the first move. Discover your inner motivation! It could be a motivational video, TED Talks, Lifehack articles, riverside, or a walk in the park. Ensure it is something that drives you to take action. Inspiration is a motivational tool to help you push yourself.

3. CREATE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

You need the right environment to succeed and make good choices. It is better to read at your desk than to read on your bed. If you want to stay healthier and fit, put healthier foods and water closer to you. Avoid junk and exercise your muscles daily.

Also, avoid toxic relationships. Stay around people who will constantly remind you of your goals and aspirations.

4. AVOID THE SAFE CHOICE

You can group your choices into two – the safer ones and the daring ones. Go for the ones that will enable you to dare the impossible and teach your invaluable lessons. You cannot grow by succumbing to safer choices. Get out of your comfort zone and explore new frontiers.

5. VISUALIZE THE NEXT LEVEL

What would it look like to be happily married, successful in your business and career, and touching lives? Visualize those dreams!

Visualization will enable you to focus more on your goals and achieve success. It will help you know where you want to be and what you need to do to get there.

6. LEARN FROM OTHER VICTORS

Whatever level of success you want to achieve, someone has had it already. Learn from them and pick cues and lessons on how they overcame the barriers. Read their books, online journals, interviews, and podcasts.

7. DO WHAT SCARES YOU

Ask yourself when you are taking on new projects: Does this task scares me? If yes, then do it! That’s how you face your fear and win. See every difficult task as a frog, then eat the frog!

8. WORK ON YOUR WEAKNESSES

There are self-imposed limits, and most of them are products of our weaknesses. It could be bad habits, poor self-esteem, or physical limitation. Weaknesses make a big mountain look unsurmountable, and they can limit you in achieving the success you desired. You can turn your weaknesses into strengths.

9. SEEK FOR HELP

A little bit of assistance can be so significant in facing resistance. Having someone to support you can counterbalance the impact of any negative thought pattern that may limit you. It could be a life coach, mentor, spouse, friend, parent, or an accountability partner. They can assist you to make the push you need to get out of your comfort zone.

Final Thoughts

You have to push yourself past limits to reach your goals. There is no alternative to greatness than sacrificing your comfort and zone and accomplishing great things.

Life does not reward complacency or mediocrity. But by pushing yourself, you can break through barriers and trek the paths that men have not trodden. And interestingly, once you break through the limits, you will be amazed why you never thought the challenges are surmountable.

Accept your limits so you can grow beyond them!

Experience & Adventure

What is the last thing you did that was scary for you?