Unlock Your Potential: 5 Steps to Break Through Your Limits
10 June 2025
You are stronger than you think. There is proof in your life already, even if you have not noticed it. Maybe you remember a time when you did something hard. Maybe you finished a big project, helped someone even when it was tough, or tried something new and did better than you thought you could. Was it just luck? Or did you really have what it took all along?
Often, the thing that holds us back most is our own thinking. We stay safe and do only what we know. It is hard to try new things because new things can be scary. But you do not have to stay stuck. Today, you can choose to break through your limits. Here's how.
1. Tell Yourself You Can Do It
The first step is to say out loud, “I am going to do this.” When you say this daily, you start to believe it. History is full of moments where people believed in themselves and did big things. Think of someone who wanted to run faster than they ever had. At first, they might have said, “It's impossible.” But once they told themselves, “I can do this,” on a regular basis they started running farther each day.
Telling yourself “I can” shifts how you approach challenges and helps you consider new perspectives. For instance, if you're interested in learning a new skill such as painting, remind yourself, “I am willing to try.” Begin with manageable steps—perhaps spending a few minutes painting each day. Over time, you'll notice steady improvement and may be amazed by your progress. When you have confidence in your abilities, you open the door to achievements you once considered out of reach.
2. Ask for Help from Someone Who's Been There
It is helpful to find a person who knows what you are going through. This could be a friend, a coach, or a teacher. They can encourage you when things get hard. For example, maybe you want to start running, but you feel slow and get tired fast. Find a running group or a friend who likes to run. Maybe they've struggled before too. They can show you tricks, like how to warm up or stay motivated on days you want to quit.
A mentor can also hold you accountable and cheer you on. When you see how someone else kept going, it becomes easier to imagine yourself doing the same. You don't have to face hard things alone.
3. Make a Simple Plan
Big goals feel scary when you look at them all at once. That's why you need a plan. Set small, simple steps that help you move forward. Say your dream is to write a book. That sounds huge! Instead, start with a goal: write one page every day. You now have a goal for each day and can focus on the small wins.
When you break a big dream into smaller steps, everything feels possible. Like with running, instead of thinking about running a full marathon, start with a goal to jog for 10 minutes. Once you do that, try 15, then 20. Every small step counts. Each little step takes you closer to where you want to be.
4. Write Down Your Progress
Keep a journal or make notes on your phone. Writing down your daily wins helps you see how far you've come. Imagine you set a goal to learn guitar. On day one, you might only know one chord. After a week, you can play a simple song. Seeing this in your own writing reminds you that you are improving.
When you feel stuck, look back at your journal. Remember the hard days you got through. These notes will give you a boost and help you keep going when you feel like quitting.
5. Challenge Yourself
Sometimes, making things a little bit of a game can help you do more. Challenge yourself to beat your best time, to learn a new skill by a set date, or to try something new even if you might fail. For example, challenge yourself to speak up in class or at work once a week. Or bet a friend you can read five books in a month.
By pushing yourself like this, you make your journey fun. You start to see what you are really able to accomplish. Each time you hit a new goal, you will feel proud and ready to try even bigger things.
Keep Going
Never stop daring yourself. Be brave, take steps into the unknown, and keep chasing your dreams. Each time you push past a limit, you grow stronger. Every day, you have a chance to prove to yourself how bold you can be. You can reach your goals. Keep moving forward!
Daily Check List:
Here are 5 simple questions you can ask yourself each day to help you stay on track:
Did I tell myself I can do it today?
Did I ask someone for help or advice?
Did I follow my plan by taking at least one small step?
Did I write down what I did or learned today?
Did I try to do something new or push myself a little more?
These questions are easy to remember and answer. They help you notice your own challenging work and remind you to keep going.
Unlock Your Potential: Develop an Action Mindset in Just 30 Minutes a Day! | Brendon Burchard
