Linda-Ann Stewart - 7 Ways You Unconsciously Limit Your Vision

"Aim at heaven and you get Earth thrown in. Aim at Earth and you get neither." C.S. Lewis

Are you aiming high enough to achieve your dream or are you keeping your vision little and manageable? A dream is what you're working towards. Your vision of it should be out of your immediate reach so it inspires and motivates you and pulls you farther than you thought you could go. You may not get as far as your dream, but you'll soar higher if you have it as your target.

But too many people keep their vision small and insignificant, so they can stay invisible and play it safe. If you do that, you'll never be able to reach much further than where you presently are. You'll just be playing in the same sand box and never climb out of it to explore what else is possible.

By aiming too low, not only do you limit your potential, you also sabotage yourself by holding yourself back. You don't take the actions that would lead to success, choosing instead to do what is familiar and comfortable. For instance, you don't follow through on leads, prospects or customers. In so doing, you're instructing your subconscious to keep you stuck.

There are all sorts of reasons and ways you undermine your dream. Most have to do with the past or fear of the results. Once you recognize how you're keeping yourself small, you can turn it around and aspire to something greater. Here are 7 ways in which you may be keeping yourself grounded and how you can cut the restraints.

1. Habit. You've created a habit of creating easy goals to achieve, so you have a feeling of accomplishment. But they're haphazard, don't take you in any particular direction, and you don't make any progress.

Choose goals that lead in a specific direction, each one building on the one before. This takes you out of your comfort zone and creates a new habit of success.

2. Past disappointments. You figure it's easier to keep your dream reachable, especially when you've been disappointed in the past. So you focus on manageable goals, but don't get very far towards your dream.

Create a vision that's just out of reach, and set manageable goals that can take you there. As you accomplish them, it will encourage you and build your confidence to aim higher.

3. Doesn't fit your self-image. You want to be a leader in your field and make your mark, but you can't imagine yourself as that person. The person you want to be has qualities you don't have and are alien to the way you perceive yourself.

Decide what characteristics you need to cultivate so you can become the person you want to be. Take one at a time, and practice incorporating it into your life.

4. Fear your dream will take over your life. You're concerned about what achieving your vision would change. For instance, you may have to work longer hours and not be able to spend time on other activities you value.

Reaching your vision will change your life. But you always have control over how much time and effort you put forth.

5. Fear you won't be able to handle success. Reaching towards your vision stretches you and takes you out of what you're familiar with. So you try to stay in your comfort zone and safe.

You can always develop the new skills, abilities, and characteristics you need. When you do, you will grow and expand to fill your new role and responsibilities.

6. Fear of being criticized. You're afraid of people disapproving of the changes you'll be making. To avoid this, you make sure you stay invisible, under their radar, so you don't get hit with their condemnation or rejection.

The person you most need acceptance and approval from is yourself. When you're pursuing your dream, you're on purpose and fulfilling your highest potential.

7. Guilt about how it will affect others. If you commit to your vision, you may not have as much time for friends or family. Or you're concerned that you'll be taking advantage of others if you get ahead.

Ask yourself, "How much more can I offer if I reach my vision?" Playing small doesn't help you and doesn't give you the greater opportunity to help others.

These issues need not concern you any longer. You have gained wisdom, maturity and understanding and can now handle the challenges your vision brings. Use your vision as your destination, and establish goals like rungs on a ladder to climb to new heights. You'll be able to accomplish your goals, while staying on track to your vision.

As a focus coach, hypnotherapist, and speaker, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, freedom, wellbeing and prosperity. Watch her FREE training video on Set Your Course to Success: 4 steps to strategically achieve your goals with confidence and ease. Register for the video and accompanying action planning guide at www.SetYourCourseGuide.com. You can contact her at LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com or 928-600-0452.

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