What if you were given 2 million pounds?

Although money does not solve everything, we often think it is the biggest blocker to achieving our dreams. Have you ever asked yourself what you would do if you were given £2 million pounds to pursue your working dreams? Sometimes knowing what you want is the biggest barrier and living without limits can be frightening or overwhelming.

There are many challenges in changing your work, starting a business, quitting a job or even asking for a promotion. All human beings can grapple with self-doubt and worries despite our position at the top of the natural hierarchy. Our cognitive abilities, strength, and dominance seem to suggest a certain fearlessness, yet the complexities of our emotional and psychological landscapes often hold us back. Despite possessing immense potential, we sometimes find ourselves stagnant, restrained by the fear of being misinterpreted or even the fear of our own capabilities.

This hesitancy can stem from various sources, including societal pressures, past experiences, and a fear of the unknown. The human psyche, intricate and multifaceted, can sometimes be burdened by self-imposed limitations and the weight of expectations. Our capacity to be, do, think, and exist without constraints is a profound gift, yet often it is clouded by apprehension.

Living without perceived limits involves a conscious shift in mindset and the cultivation of empowering practices. Here are some key principles to guide you in embracing a limitless way of living:

  1. Embrace Possibility: Recognise that limitations are often rooted in perception rather than reality. Cultivate a mindset that embraces the vast potential for growth, change, and transformation in every aspect of life.
  2. Challenge Assumptions: Question the beliefs and assumptions that may be constraining your perspective. Explore alternative viewpoints and possibilities, allowing yourself to entertain new ideas and approaches.
  3. Set Bold Intentions: Define clear, ambitious goals that inspire and motivate you. Let go of self-imposed boundaries and aim to surpass your own expectations, consistently pushing the boundaries of what you believe is achievable.
  4. Practice Resilience: View setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. Cultivate resilience by developing the ability to adapt, bounce back from challenges, and persevere in the face of adversity.
  5. Cultivate Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Release self-judgment and embrace a mindset of self-compassion, acknowledging that mistakes and imperfections are natural parts of the journey.
  6. Seek Learning and Growth: Remain open to continuous learning and personal development. Engage in activities that expand your knowledge, skills, and perspectives, fostering a lifelong commitment to growth and self-improvement.
  7. Surround Yourself with Support: Build a supportive network of individuals who uplift and encourage you. Seek out mentors, friends, or communities that foster an environment of positivity, inspiration, and empowerment.
  8. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a sense of gratitude for the opportunities, experiences, and blessings in your life. Acknowledge and appreciate the abundance that surrounds you, fostering a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.
  9. Live in the Present: Focus on the present moment and engage fully in the experiences of today. Release worries about the past or anxieties about the future, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the richness of the here and now.

By integrating these principles into your daily life, you can gradually shift your perspective and embrace a life without perceived limits, unlocking the boundless potential that resides within you.

We are our own biggest limits

At Keystone, we have observed and felt how frequently it is ourselves who act as the sole impediment on our path. Recognising this struggle within ourselves is the first step towards growth and self-liberation. Embracing vulnerability, accepting imperfections, and cultivating resilience can enable us to transcend these limitations. Through self-awareness and conscious efforts, we can gradually learn to harness our inherent strength and channel it towards positive transformation.

In the quest for a life without limits, it’s essential to recognise the role of external influences in shaping our perceived boundaries. Often, the subtle remarks or actions of others seep into our consciousness, planting seeds of doubt and restriction. Uncovering these origins is a crucial step towards reclaiming our narrative. When the voice of limitation emerges, rooted in someone else’s perception, it’s imperative to assertively silence it, refusing to be confined by its insidious grip.

In the journey of resilience, setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones. Embracing failure as a part of the process, honouring its teachings, and persistently forging ahead with newfound wisdom is the hallmark of those who refuse to be limited. Cultivating a mindset that does not succumb to defeat but rather harnesses it as fuel for growth is pivotal in this pursuit.

Furthermore, confronting our fears is pivotal for progress. Understanding the genesis of our apprehensions and actively working to dismantle their hold empowers us to chart new paths with courage and determination. The recognition that limitations are not insurmountable barriers but merely fleeting shadows allows us to transcend them and realize our true potential.

Living a life without limits does not imply an absence of constraints; rather, it embodies the resilience to navigate through them. Creating daily rituals is indeed a powerful tool for staying grounded and overcoming self-imposed obstacles. These practices serve as anchors, offering moments of solace and introspection in the midst of life’s whirlwinds. By integrating rituals into your daily routine, you can cultivate a sense of mindfulness and intentionality, enabling you to navigate challenges with greater clarity and resilience.

Embrace the truth of your resilience and capability, and witness the astounding places you can reach. May you take up the wondrous expedition of self-discovery and growth, for within its gentle currents lie the secrets to unearthing the very essence and beating heart of your existence.

 

Learn how to regulate your nervous system

Understanding the intricate dance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems offers us a compass for navigating the terrain of our inner world. The sympathetic system, attuned to the subtle whispers of perceived danger, orchestrates the dynamic “fight or flight” response, igniting the flames of survival. In contrast, the parasympathetic system emerges as the benevolent conductor, inviting us to a serene symphony of “rest and digest,” where we find solace and restoration.

To embark on this transformative journey between the two, it is essential to embrace an embodied practice that resonates with your soul. Whether it’s the rhythmic harmony of breath work, the euphoria of dance, or the grounding sensation of immersing your senses in the present moment, these are pathways to balance.

Another practice is PQ (Present Quietude). For a mere two minutes, direct your acute awareness to something tangible, a moment so finely detailed it transcends the ordinary. Listen to the whispers of sounds, both near and distant, like whispers from the universe. Feel the steady foundation of your feet connecting with the Earth, or explore the intricate ridges of your fingertips, akin to the ancient scrolls of your own story.

In these moments of mindfulness, we discover the bridge between these two worlds, embracing the full spectrum of our being. It is through these practices that we learn to orchestrate the delicate equilibrium of our sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, awakening the boundless potential for growth, healing, and inner peace.

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can create a more resilient and balanced nervous system, allowing you to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and emotional stability. Below is how I spent last weekend; now recharged and calm after a walk in the forest with a friend (or you could go alone like Mary Oliver).

 

by Mary Oliver

Ordinarily I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my ways of praying, as you no doubt have yours. Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds, until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost unhearable sound of the roses singing. If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love you very much.