What’s Holding You Back?

What’s holding you back from great things?

I have had a feeling for years now that I was destined for something more, something greater. Unfortunately, there was always a reason that I wasn’t there yet. There was part of me that totally knew who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do but I had no clue where to begin and always managed to distract myself just enough to not have to face the unknown.

What’s holding you back?

If you are anything like me, then in the back of your mind you know that something greater is out there for you, but you just have not arrived at it yet. Perhaps what’s holding you back is low self-esteem or a negative worldview, perhaps it’s outside forces like a dead-end job or a toxic relationship.

If you are even reading this right now, I guarantee that you are at least curious or have an inkling that there is something holding you back from reaching your full potential. Whatever it is, you will eventually have a moment of clarity when the stars align and you figure it out. It may come after the end of a bad relationship, a conversation with a stranger, enlisting the help of a life coach, moving to a new place or beginning a new job. If you seek, you shall find…eventually.

Get past your clutter

My problem with this is that I want it now. So, if I want it now I need to start acting like it. I need to get past all of my clutter first. It’s like there is a powerful part of me that has been buried under so much crap.

For me this crap shows up in the form of fear, anxiety, self doubt, and a whole ton of negativity regarding relationships. I think this is normal for a lot of people, and can serve as a tool of self realization and awareness. Great people, great writers, speakers, authors, leaders, entrepreneurs, stand out. I think these few were not “chosen ones” per se, but the ones that chose to push aside all of this clutter and focus on their goals.

The power then lies in being aware of your own clutter and choosing to see beyond it. What excuses are you offering yourself to mask your unhappiness, bad job or unsatisfying relationship? Why aren’t you going to the gym or eating food that will make you healthier? Why are you staying in a relationship that is not allowing you to feel whole? Stepping into your greatness can be really scary because you have to face yourself. If you really want to stand out, you eventually need to clear away everything that is keeping you down.

Finding support

Personally, I couldn’t do this on my own, I needed support. Deciding to divulge all of my fears, goals and ambitions as well as the barriers to accomplishing them to a total stranger was really uncomfortable for me at first. Realizing that I could only control myself and the power that this gave me drove me to sustain a coaching relationship and get the most out of this new found power.

Throughout the process I was able to better pinpoint my self-sabotaging ways as well as identify what I wanted. Once I was aware of what I wanted and what was holding me back, I could finally step out of this darkness towards a more fulfilling life. Figuring out what you want and what makes you feel great is a process and taking the first step is the most difficult.

Just keep in mind that if you continue to do what you have always done and never take a step into a new way way of doing things, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. Is that great enough for you?

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically – to say ‘no’ to other things.  And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.  The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good.’”-Stephan Covey