By default, I tend to play it safe, and it often requires a significant dose of conviction for me to even play at all. Whenever I get an idea, the euphoria accompanying it is usually short-lived, quickly giving way to a thorough analysis of every conceivable pro and con related to that idea.
I analyze, scrutinize, and dissect the idea before taking action, sometimes to my own detriment.
Even with great caution, things do not always go as planned. Occasionally, I still find myself stung by the very thing I was cautious about, and when that happens, I cut my losses and reinforce my mental defences against future risks.
Once bitten, twice shy.
The LIEs We Have Believed
In the book “Limitless”, Jim Kwik highlights some LIEs (Limited Ideas Entertained) that hinder us from maximizing our potential and how to overcome them.
We all have the potential to be limitless; however, we often adopt the limiting beliefs of the society in which we grow up. Some of these limiting beliefs are cloaked in widely accepted maxims that shape our outlook on life, and my goal is to debunk some of those LIEs.
“Once Bitten, Twice Shy”
Failure stings. Unpleasant outcomes are often painful, and the natural response to pain is to avoid what has caused it. This approach is valid in certain contexts but becomes limiting when it fosters a fear of trying again.
If your first business venture fails, you shouldn’t simply give up and shy away from attempting again. Instead, learn from the previous experience, equip yourself with a better plan, and try again, and again, and again.
New maxim: “Once bitten, twice informed and twice try.”
“You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks”
I have never owned a dog and know little about training them, but I believe that even an old dog can learn new tricks.
This age-old saying suggests that people become less adaptable as they age, essentially asserting that learning becomes difficult or impossible later in life. This is false. The human brain maintains a significant degree of neuroplasticity throughout life, meaning our brains continually evolve to accommodate the new habits and skills we adopt as we grow.
The true danger of this maxim lies in its psychological impact. The belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when people internalize it, limiting their potential based on an arbitrary notion of age-related learning capabilities.
New maxim: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but you can teach an old man new skills.”
“Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees”
If you grew up in a household like mine, you were likely told this saying when requesting something expensive. Sadly, as much as I wished it were not true, it is.
The issue with this adage lies not in its semantic accuracy but in its implied message. It conveys the idea that money is hard to obtain, thus reinforcing a scarcity mindset.
Yes, money doesn’t grow on physical trees, but if planted in the right investment soil, it multiplies, leading to a bountiful harvest.
New maxim: “Plant financial seeds, harvest prosperity.”
“Look Before You Leap”
Yet another maxim that encourages high-level caution.
Taking caution is sound advice, but when excessive caution becomes a rigid belief, it can become a barrier to personal growth and opportunity. It can even lead to paralysis.
Sometimes, you may not grasp the whole picture until you begin to take action. No matter how long you look, little progress will be achieved until you truly leap.
New maxim: “Prepare your parachute, then leap boldly.”
These are just a few of the many widely accepted ideas that enable limiting beliefs. The fact that everyone believes something doesn’t make it true; it might as well be a LIE.
Reject every lie society offers you and unlimit yourself.