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Growth comes from pushing the boundaries of what is possible within your existing skills and expertise. The challenge is that many entrepreneurs do not know how to identify their limits to take it to the next level. Of the hundreds of entrepreneurs I’ve coached, the top performers have perfected these six tactics.
1. Address your limiting mindset
Being able to push one’s limits often comes down to thinking about the material. It’s easy to avoid forcing yourself to do things you think are impossible. Sometimes just believing that you can’t accomplish something will limit your ability to push yourself to the limit. These limiting beliefs could be holding you back. Until 1954, athletes believed it was impossible to run a four-minute mile – until Roger Bannister broke the record. Since then, nearly 2,000 athletes have accomplished this feat.
In many cases, limiting beliefs are thoughts that are put into your head by those around you. It’s common with entrepreneurs who get discouraged or get negative feedback from others who don’t understand their vision.
To combat limiting beliefs and mindsets, ask yourself Why is this not possible? Where Who told you you couldn’t do this? If you can’t find a legitimate reason why you can’t achieve your goal, you may need to reevaluate your mindset.
2. Set aggressive goals
Most goal setting experts recommend using methodologies such as the SMART method. These approaches are ideal for regular goals. But if you’re looking to push your limits, you may need to think outside the box. Setting aggressive goals can affect the actions you take. For example, if you want to sell products to 10 customers this month, you can take one approach (like cold calling potential leads). However, if you set a goal of closing sales with 1,000 customers, cold calling would be impossible. This forces you to rethink your approach.
The goal here isn’t necessarily to work toward unreachable goals, but it can help you identify where smaller goals might be limiting your progress.
Related: 7 Ways Great Companies Drive Repeat Sales
3. Find out what motivates you
Motivation can play a huge role in your ability to push yourself beyond your limits. Highly motivated professionals have higher levels of satisfaction, increased performance, and a better chance of success. Visualizing what success will look like can help you find the motivation to keep pushing yourself.
Visual reminders such as photos and vision boards can help you frequently remind yourself of the things that motivate you (family, your dream sports car, becoming the number one supplier in your market, etc.). Daily mantras can also be a great way to constantly review your motivator.
Related: How to regain work/life balance
4. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
Identifying your limits is key to knowing what limits you can push. Pushing your limits will come with a feeling of discomfort. Its good! If you are never uncomfortable, you will never be able to grow. Challenge yourself to do new things that feel uncomfortable. Over time, you will begin to feel comfortable with your new boundaries.
Repeating this process over and over will help you keep stretching. Remember that every expert was once a beginner.
5. Accept failure
When asked about his work on the modern light bulb, Thomas Edison said, “I haven’t failed. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” When you push the limits of your skills and experience, you are bound to fail. How you approach failure can have a huge impact on your ability to keep growing. Failure provides opportunities to learn valuable lessons that you can use and implement. Failure is a natural part of growth, so use it to your advantage.
6. Look for accountability
Some people have the discipline to push themselves to new heights. Others might need help from those around them. If you need the support of others, find someone who can push you and challenge you to do more or take risks. A good accountability partner can be a mentor, coach, or someone else who can provide candid feedback and guidance. Better yet, join a peer advisory board.
Everything is possible with a dream, a passion and the ability to excel.
Related: 10 Reasons Leading Entrepreneurs Join a Peer Advisory Board
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