Yes, I am a Harry Potter fan! I finished reading the series as an adult and feel reading these books should be a right of passage for young readers. But anyway, the idea of being forced to live under the stairs like Harry Potter until he receives a magical letter delivered by owl to a special school sure seems like a stroke of good luck. Especially for an orphan who is treated more like a servant than family. Harry makes choices that ultimately help shape him into the leader he will become.
Fast forward to after Harry chooses to attend a magical school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore, the wise headmaster recognizes Harry has more within him than his yet to be educated abilities. This is because Harry makes a series of choices that showcase his courage and leadership. Despite others, particularly adults, reminding him he is nothing, came from nothing, and knows nothing as a young boy. Talk about creating limiting beliefs!
Limiting beliefs are the things we tell ourselves that keep us from taking action towards our goals. We all have those limiting beliefs inside us (and sometimes outside from others), telling us we aren’t good enough, can’t do things, aren’t capable. In the coaching and psychology world, we call this “Imposter Syndrome.” It is a real thing and can be debilitating to even the world’s top leaders and performers. The choices you make now will become your most precious skills and abilities later. Oftentimes we have to take that leap of faith to discover where our path unfolds just like Harry did. I always tell my clients, “Trust the process.”
Fear is debilitating. Don’t let it hold you back. There are 100yr old people out there ballroom dancing and riding bikes. There are people without limbs doing incredible things. There are people out there who creatively put food on the table every night for their children despite not being able to afford things we take for granted like the internet or a car.
Think of every choice you make as a step beyond these limiting beliefs or what you feel your abilities are. It can be small like to stop a bad habit or medium to ask for a raise or large such as connecting with someone you’ve written off for years. Every choice takes us somewhere, so where do you want to go?
You are capable of more, make the choice to give yourself more, and strive for more of what lifts you up. Every. Single. Day.
