"There is now a level zero!"

"Is that something at an advanced level?"

"I don't think I can do that at my level!"

"I will get back to you after I reach the next level..."

These are remarks I hear quite often. I have found myself using them as well in different areas of my life. The ambiguous "level" has permeated everything from perceived fitness readiness to how smart someone acts.

As in most computer games, a level hierarchy must be clearly defined. The minutia of exactly how to define where you are and what it takes to progress to the next level must be published so that players can familiarize themselves.

So too in any other arena of life we must be careful to not box ourselves into what we think our level is. The way we see ourselves affects how we present ourselves and this means we can be leaving a lot on the table.

Take for example the generic fitness "level" that everyone seems to be assigning themselves. There are many clearly defined leveling systems (Cooper test, US Navy fitness test, VO2 max test etc..) based on measurable and repeatable testing procedures - yet most of us assign ourselves a fitness level either by how we feel when we train or compared against someone else we know or follow.

This leveling guides our thought process in making decisions that could be life changing. When our buddy who is known as 'the gym guy' (or gal) invites us to train with them - we may default to decline with "I am not at your level". But what if that single training session was the motivation or inspiration that could have started you on your own personal journey?

We are all at OUR level and that level is measurable and repeatable. How much better am I today than I was yesterday? What did I do, say or accomplish that I couldn't have yesterday?

We won't be champions or crushers of goals every single day, but when we stop comparing ourselves with others and assigning labels to where we think we are and start competing and leveling up against ourselves from yesterday - this is where you are truly unbound.

The sky is the limit and your mindset is either your biggest asset or one of your staunchest hindrances!

(The title is a phrase from DreamWorks 2008 "Kung Fu Panda" when Po assigns himself the level zero and proceeds to miserably fail a test and master Shifu responds with "There is now a level zero!")