Do you ever get that feeling? The feeling that the real world is far too vast and sprawling for you? The fear that you’re just a tiny, insignificant fish among many other fish in a very big pond? The idea that you can’t accomplish as much as you want to? Or that you’re not as talented and accomplished as others?
I think we’ve all had that feeling before – even the most successful and confident of people probably have. That nagging self-doubt that runs through your head, banging against your brain incessantly as you imagine potential failure. For some, it’s not trying for that potential promotion at work because you know that you wouldn’t be able to handle a position with such responsibility. For others, maybe it’s not pushing yourself to go that extra mile and put in the added work to get the A, or not reaching out to that person you think is cute because you’re sure that nothing would come of it, you aren’t capable of such an attempt.
But guess what? You are. Tearing yourself down and convincing yourself otherwise though is what’s keeping you from getting from Point A to Point B.
If you don’t believe me, here’s an interesting and proven concept. According to scientific studies, we subconsciously limit our abilities. In a 2008 study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, two test groups were each asked to lift weights. However, one test group was given a placebo caffeine pill but told it was real while the other test group was given an actual caffeine pill. Here’s the catch – the group who believed they had taken caffeine lifted significantly more weight than those who were actually given caffeine.
So why did they lift more weight than usual, even though they weren’t actually given caffeine? Because it was all in their head, proving that you are capable of things beyond your belief as long as you push yourself. As cliche as it sounds, you truly can achieve more if you put your mind to it.
So don’t tell yourself “No” or “I can’t,” because most likely you can. We are all much more capable than we let ourselves believe.
