The beliefs we form about ourselves — about our potential and what we are or aren’t capable of — can quietly keep us stuck. They tether us to our comfort zones and the familiar, even when those things no longer serve us. We end up unknowingly training ourselves to act from a place of scarcity: “I don’t have the time.” “I don’t have the resources, the knowledge, the money, the energy…”
Psychology describes this as a scarcity mindset: when our perceived lack of time, resources, or energy narrows our focus and limits our potential. When we think from that place, we unintentionally create more scarcity through our thoughts, our choices, and our actions. We assume the odds are stacked against us and spend our time and energy anticipating potential obstacles, instead of building from what we do have.
The truth is: a lot of what’s holding us back, we have the ability to change — or at least, influence more than we think.
That’s both freeing and unnerving. Because once we realize that, there’s no more sitting back and waiting for a metaphorical knight in shining armor to ride in and save us. No more clinging to this false idea that when we have this ‘magical thing’ that everything is going to suddenly feel a certain way, or you’re going to feel legitimized…
Growth is scary. Staying stuck is also scary (I’d argue even scarier 😉). You’re allowed to outgrow old stories. Progress comes from admitting we have a hand in creating our results and taking responsibility to build what we want.
You’re allowed to choose a new path, one small step at a time. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t wait for permission. Give it to yourself.
Write down all the things that are holding you back, and rewrite them to flip the script into something empowering. Turn “I can’t…” into “I can.” Change “I’m not [blank] enough…” to “I am [blank] enough.”
With baby steps in a new direction, I’d bet you’ll surprise yourself by just how capable you really are.
So let me ask you:
What are you ready to grow into?
What’s one small step you can take today?
What belief about yourself are ready to challenge?
To stepping boldly into your potential,
— Casey
