"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark."
~Michelangelo
If you are afraid of failing, you may end up not even setting a goal that will stretch you. But in doing so, you deprive yourself and others of all that you might be able to accomplish. Michelangelo is a great example. Had he not aimed high, we might have been deprived of his architecture, artwork, sculpture, poetry and understanding of human anatomy. The Sistine Chapel might be painted "ceiling white". When we stop ourselves from stretching to be the best we can be, we fall short or all that we are capable of achieving. Aim high with your goals. Stretch yourself to be the best.
This week: Take a look at what you would like to be able to accomplish. Do you stop yourself from trying because you think it is "too big" or "too difficult?" Do you let your self-doubt stop you? If so, set a goal this week that will really stretch you to be your best. Take at least one action to begin moving toward that goal. If you don't succeed at achieving it, so what? Think about what you can learn in the process. Think about how stretching yourself with this goal will serve you with future goals.
Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people achieve goals that they had not thought possible. She helps clients overcome self sabotage and self doubt so that they can find within themselves the resources to achieve at the highest levels. For more information and free resources, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .
7 comments:
I like this a lot! The problem I see is that sometimes people stop themselves and then insist it really IS the very best or most they can challenge themselves. Takes at least a modicum of insight to be willing to get out of that box. I think some people grow up ALWAYS evaluating, others grow up ALWAYS settling.
Sue Painter
The last thing I want is to be "ceiling white." Thanks to Beth Woodard, I'm working on a totally congruent approach with my marketing ... one that proudly displays my true art. Thanks for reminding me of how this is both a stretch for me as well as the right thing to do.
I think you and Sue are on the same path this week with your wonderful posts and speaking directly to me!
Stretching myself is something that I have always prided myself in doing, but recently, I have found that I'm just standing still.
I appreciate your post and the nudge to get back to stretching.
Wow, I think the theme for this week is to stretch and grow. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for reminder!
I love that Michelangelo quote! I agree with Sue and I recently discovered how these two ways of thinking can strain relationships. Regarding a certain situation, a friend said, "Well,you just have to live with it and make the best of it." And I said, " No, I have to find a new solution." How else can we grow if we never try new things?
Love it! I heard someone say once that if you always reach for the stars, you won't come up with a handful of mud.
Sandy
I love hearing celebrities or people that are enjoying huge success say they had no idea "this life was possible". It reminds me that the bigger I dream, the bigger the opportunities that exist for me to succeed and the outcome will be beyond anything I can imagine.
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