“If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” – Bruce Lee
Although it might sound like something you might have read inside a fortune cookie, the truth is, human beings, and that includes you, have no limits as to what they can do or achieve.
Even science is with us on this one, because it has determined a long time ago that we only use a small fraction of our brains. But, we’ve all witnessed some incredible feats where physical limits have been pushed, as well.
Of course, the reason why someone is able to push beyond their limits and break world records, become a virtuoso at playing an instrument, build a business empire, or create a new invention is not just talent, but also hard work and dedication.
That is the key to your progress. Of course, you don’t have to go to extremes to find success. Whether you want to go to the Olympics, or simply improve your shape, the approach is the same.
The only difference is the amount of time you will spend working until you reach your particular goal. Where can you start? It’s simple. Just follow these 5 scientifically proven methods to unleash your limitless potential. Keep on reading to find out more.
1. Stop thinking in terms of limits
One of the beautiful things about humanity is that it’s constantly pushing its limits. Now, truth be told, humans have their physical limits.
We don’t really know what they are yet, but it’s pretty fair to assume that an average 80-year old person will not be able to run 100 meters in under 10 seconds, no matter how fit they are.
But, there are examples which come across every now and then and which challenge us to rethink our idea of what possible and what’s not.
Just consider Muggsy Bogues, who is only 5’3”. That doesn’t exactly scream basketball material, but he managed to play in the NBA for 14 seasons. Or Nate Robinson, who is just 5’9”, yet he won the NBA slam-dunk contest three times, making him the first person to ever achieve that. How’s that for limits?
2. Push past your comfort zone
You probably come across this a lot, but there is a reason behind it. Only when we truly push past what we are familiar and comfortable with can we really extend our limits and experience success unlike ever before.
If your current limit is 50 pushups, do 60. Yes, it’s going to hurt, and you are going to feel like you’ve been put through hell both mentally and physically, but in a relatively short time, you will be able to call it your new limit.
And there are some less drastic ways you can step out of your comfort zone, as well. Set a goal of learning something new every day. Strive toward knowing more in the evening than you did first thing in the morning. It’s as simple as that.
3. Learn to focus
Even wondered how marathon runners are able to run for two or three hours without ever breaking down?
One part is their physical fitness, without which their bodies wouldn’t be able to run the distance, and the other part, which is arguably more important, is their mental strength, which allows them to focus on the goal and ignore everything else, even the signals from their brain or body.
The good news is that we can practice and develop our focus so that we are able to stay productive for longer periods of time, as well as to battle distractions with ease.
You can start slow. Focus on your work and nothing else for just one hour. Then, once you have done that, extend that period for half an hour, and then repeat the same process. Of course, there is a limit as to that as well, and it’s up to you to find out what it is.
4. Stick to a training routine
According to studies, there are several things which we need to pay attention to if we want to maximise our potential: getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising on a regular basis. If it seems similar to a training routine of a professional athlete, you would be right.
You can’t expect to push yourself past your limits during the day if you have spent the night before partying and drinking.
You need to give your body and brain time to recuperate and provide them with sufficient nutrition not just to function throughout the day, but to give you enough energy to push past your comfort zone every day. You will lose out on some of the flexibility in your life, but you will gain so much more.
5. Take a break
Sticking to previous tips means you will be leading a high-performance life, so to speak, and it’s only possible to maintain that level for a particular period of time before your productivity starts to diminish.
It’s perfectly alright, and even necessary, to take a break and do something else. Nobody said progress has to be linear. There will be days when you will be brilliant, and there will be times when you will feel like you’re stagnating.
Instead of beating yourself up and pushing yourself without result, take a break and do something else entirely, or simply rest. Hang out with your friends and family, and enjoy life. That is how you will find new energy to conquer new heights.
Tapping into potential is certainly not easy because it requires time, focus, and hard work. But, if you keep at it and don’t quit, you will be able to reap numerous benefits and become a healthier, happier, and more successful human being. Start pushing past your limits today and never look back.
I hope you enjoy these tips on how to set your goals and achieve them. If you have any other useful tips to share, comment below!
Author: Sophia Anderson
Sophia Anderson is a blogger and a freelance writer at EssaysOnTime. She is passionate about covering topics on career, self-development, e-learning, social media, blogging and others. She believes that constant learning is the only way to success. Her inspiration comes from reading like-minded blog posts and communication with smart people. Meet Sophia at @Sophia7Anderson.
