5 Things That Prevent You From Becoming More

I have learned that those who lack a deep purpose often never get started... or if they do, they will inevitably quit when things get too tough.

Throughout my extensive career, I have met many extremely talented men and women. All of them were very different, coming from a variety of shapes, colors, backgrounds, and educations. It has intrigued me how only a small percentage of those people were living towards their fullest potential, while the more significant portion were not, even though they were as equally talented as their counterparts. I need to add that this deficiency was indeed reluctantly confessed by most of them. Within both groups, I have been able to identify what prevents people from becoming more. I have also defined a critical component that is missing, or not being used properly, that causes most people to negotiate with mediocrity. Master these 5, and you can start overcoming your most significant obstacles.

Life Purpose. Although it might sound cheesy to most, which is precisely the secret to those who have it and those who don't, life purpose is the key to fueling your internal faith fire. Simply stated, those who lack purpose pursue less; those who have purpose, pursue more. Furthermore, I have learned that those who lack a deep purpose often never get started... or if they do, they will inevitably quit when things get too tough.

Fear of Change. Outside of the fear of public speaking, the fear of change prevents most people from stepping into their full potential. "What if I encounter failure?" they cautiously ask. I challenge people to re-purpose that phrase and ask "what if I take action and become more?" If you never take action, nothing can ever have the chance to happen. Failure is how we learn and grow, so if you aren't doing anything, you can never gain anything. Fear is merely a mental state of wanting to control your situation and coming up with potential outcomes. Unfortunately, to our own detriment, we tend to focus more on 'what may happen,' even though the negatives will mostly likely never happen. 

Envy. (also known as coveting or wanting what you don't have). I'm sure most people can identify with some kind of personal weaknesses, but this is a tough one, because it is hidden internally. When you covet or want what others have (titles, success, relationships, happiness, results..), you have fundamentally weakened yourself. You do this by holding yourself hostage to limitations by focusing on the outside, not the inside. This limits you by inadvertently creating discontentment within yourself, packaged up as unfairness, ultimately causing you to shirk responsibility for your results or maybe even creating blame. If somebody else has something and you covet it, you are preventing yourself from focusing on your own life and your own results, incidentally holding yourself back from becoming more. You may know somebody else who is doing what you want to do or who possesses what you would like to have, however, you must learn to shift your heart and mind to focus on how YOU can work to attain a better you. When you do this, those things may become a result for you as well. Focus on YOU, not others.

Rationalizing (also known as making excuses) is a defense mechanism in which controversial behaviors or feelings are justified and explained in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid the real explanation, and are made consciously tolerable—or even admirable (Source Wikipedia). Stop making excuses, stop rationalizing. Essentially when you do this, you are preventing yourself from becoming more. The deception here is you will believe that since you aren't starting something new, you are playing it safe, all while hiding behind your own excuses. However, the reality is that you will get results less than what you are capable of, at the command of your very own mind and mouth. This is considered self-destructive behavior.

Belief (or a lack of belief) is a component that should be evaluated, honestly and accurately. Most of us accept what we believe as 'truth' without understanding why. Especially in today's world where so many accept opinion by statement as truth. We might falsely believe that we are stuck or that it isn't our fault or responsibility to correct, even though that isn't the truth. However, if we believe this way, it then becomes 'our' truth. I often tell people that when you believe more, you will DO more, thus becoming more. Do you believe that? Do you believe in what you are doing? Do you have a faith-based belief system? This is the foundation that builds towards ultimate growth. Understand that what you believe is what you follow. A faulty belief system creates faulty results, which are often defended emotionally. This is why it is important to seek wise counsel. What do you believe?

All of these points work together to help you to overcome what is holding you back. Your belief system is critical because if you lack belief and faith, you lack in all of the categories listed above. Without a strong belief system, you cannot have a profound life purpose, How could you? Without purpose you focus on the "what ifs," leading you to fear. Fear prevents action and deters belief even further. Without an effective belief system, you focus on (covet) what others have because you don't believe it is possible for you. This can lead to, depression, resentment and maybe even anger. Finally, when you aren't living towards your full potential, you rationalize, because its easier to make excuses than it is to make the bold decision to Execute (TAKE ACTION)...the component that allows us to find, or create a new way.

If anything in this article speaks to you personally, I encourage you to reach out to my team to seek professional team training or personal private coaching.

Change happens, where your excuses end.

Now Go Forth and make YOUR life exceptional!

- Mike Rodriguez

Mike Rodriguez is today's modern motivator and educator. Mike is an internationally known leadership, sales and change expert working with clients around the world. As a best-selling author, Mike has written several books and he has been featured on CBS, U.S. News & World Report, Fast Company, Success Magazine and others, and has been hosted by Barnes & Noble book events. Mike's clients include names like Hilton, the Federal Government, McDonald's Corporation and many Fortune 500 global organizations in telecom and technology. To learn more about Mike or to have him speak at your next event.