Toddlerhood is a human being\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s first age of curious risk-taking and fearless exploration. It\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s our initial opportunity to learn what\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s possible through direct willful interaction with the world around us. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0All of us have this universally innate drive as part of the process of becoming fully conscious and self-empowered.<\/p>\n
Sadly, beginning as early as about 2 years old we also start learning that we must limit ourselves, or someone more powerful will respond negatively. Chances are, that not limiting our explorations results in being placed in a constricting environment, like a playpen, to hold us back.<\/p>\n
And of course at 2 years old we don\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t know there is good reason to not stick our fingers into the electrical outlet.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Unfortunately, mommy\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s urgent raised voice NO! and the boundaries of a gate that prevents entry to the kitchen get repeatedly reinforced and unconsciously internalized as self-limiting caution and risk-aversion.<\/p>\n
Later in life, what started as necessary practices for keeping us safe, turn into subtle self-sabotages such that we:<\/p>\n
Does any of that sound like someone you know?<\/p>\n
What\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s wonderful about this is that it was a learning process that established these self-sabotaging limitations.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 That means that as adults we can undo that learning, and return ourselves to our natural innate ability to exert our curiosity and drive for exploration.<\/p>\n
Here are three suggestions for breaking free from your old learned limitations:<\/p>\n
1.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Everyday in some way take at least one small risk on purpose. It could be just voicing a preference for paper instead of plastic.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Or it could be saying, no, I\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2d rather eat Italian tonight.<\/em> Or it might be letting yourself invest in coaching when you can\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t yet see the outcome.<\/p>\n 2.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Talk back to the \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cmommy in your head\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d who\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s safety critic has run amok.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Tell her thanks for your concern, I\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ll be careful.<\/em><\/p>\n 3.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Identify a really big dream or goal that you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2d previously decided was out of reach for you. Imagine what it would be like to attain it.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Picture having, doing, or being this in as much detail as possible.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Then broadly determine what steps you\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ll need to take to make this happen.\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 Now, every morning ask yourself ‘what one thing can I do today that brings me closer to this goal?’<\/em> No matter what, give yourself permission to do that one thing today.<\/p>\n