We (too) Shall Overcome

“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, and no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.” – Ronald Reagan

The title of this essay, with slight modification, is the name of a beautiful American spiritual that has provided hope, inspiration and encouragement to many over the years. It appears a number of individuals touched or contributed to the creative process that led to the original composition of the music and lyrics for this piece. Also, many artists kept the song alive over the years – at different times, for different reasons. Of course it is well remembered as a major part of the Civil Rights Movement.

For this blog, the song title refers to the human right we all have to free the mind of the chains that bind us and keep us from realizing our full potential. One category of these chains includes barriers, blocks and obstacles that constrain our abilities. Another category is our limiting beliefs which inhibit our potential. Let’s give both types of bondage their due.

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou (In Memoriam 1928-2014)
Barriers, Blocks and Obstacles

When I think of these three words, I think restraint and obstruction. Sometimes they are most powerful in our own minds. Reality is what is true and we can find the truth if we see, measure, quantify and more readily seek solutions in the physical world. Mind bondage is a whole other category. Those deep recesses of our mind can keep us in captivity, maybe even in a state of servitude, prisoner to illusions that limit and possibly define us.

If we have never done a particular task before we may hesitate in attempting something new. We don’t know where to start. Maybe we don’t even have a vision of what the end result may be. These are facts we can deal with if we have developed a habit of problem solving over the years. It is sort of like exercising a muscle in a certain way with a particular weight. We increase our capacity by exercising the muscle.

Our negative perceptions can obstruct our ability to deal with a particular situation, person or group of people. There may be natural limitations in our ability to handle some situations but we complicate things by building up the barrier, block or obstacle—in our own minds. We develop this negative thinking or theory, often an assumption that keeps us from testing our limits because we believe we can’t move the needle. Sometimes it is a cognitive limitation and sometimes it is fear based.

I am sure you have heard that perception is reality. I think this is true when you consider how others perceive you—this is the reality you have to deal with if you are so inclined. But the perception you have of your capability is not always reality. Sometimes it is a fantasy or hallucination. If you live with an illusion, then it becomes your reality. However, isn’t it much more illuminating to validate your hunches by initiating action and checking out the results of what you have attempted?

Bumping up against a barrier, block or obstacle provides data. Data needs to be analyzed to see if it provides useful information upon which you can act. Sometimes the hurdle looks extremely high but it may be a figment of your imagination. How do you reality-test the immensity of what you perceive to be a hindrance to achievement? You start to collect sample data based on your interactions, you assess the results and then you plan your next foray into the unknown. You repeat this process several times and with each new expedition, you work smarter and take bigger risks to become aware of your limitations.

You can certainly do all of this on your own. Two eyes, two ears and whatever other senses you want to throw into the mix will only give you one impression of reality. It also makes sense to pull data from several points of view to assess the impact of your actions. Find a buddy and talk about what is holding you back. Make sure, however, it is someone who will challenge you to be your best, probably someone who is not a “yes” person. One more thing—make sure your outside sources have a vision for you that is even bigger than you can imagine.

“Limiting beliefs such as 'I can't be rich,' or 'I can't have a happy marriage' hold you back and set a ceiling of what is possible or not possible for you.” – Jerry Bruckner
Limiting Beliefs

I believe without question that limiting beliefs are the bane of our existence. We have thoughts, reinforced over time, that become a mindset that seems to be imbedded in our subconscious. I notice it when people say I have to, I need to, I can’t, I should, etc. Most of the time I come back to them by saying you don’t have to, you don’t need to, it’s not that you can’t but rather you won’t or why should you. It makes for interesting conversation and I think it serves them by encouraging them to think and turn off the auto pilot.

A belief becomes limiting when it prevents you from carefully looking at your situation and coming up with fresh ways to deal with it. Many of our negative feelings come from a thought that originates with a negative belief. We believe others are supposed to act a certain way with us and if they don’t fit into the pattern we expect we will demonize the heck out of them. We are usually constrained in dealing with our immediate supervisor because of his position, but family and friends need to watch out when they don’t act according to our expectations.

We are also susceptible to the negative programming of our youth. We have been conditioned a certain way by attempting to fit in with family, classmates and friends. As a result, our range of motion becomes constrained in some fashion and it gets buried in our muscle memory. Given the right stimulus we respond instantaneously with our pre-programmed routine. It’s understandable but we aren’t even aware of it. We develop an image of ourselves thinking negative things like I can’t dance, I can’t give a speech , I can’t sell, I can’t lead a group, or I am not good at this or that, whatever this or that may include.

Another thing we do to limit our potential is to tell ourselves we are only good at certain things. For example you might convince yourself that you are only an accountant and that you could never run a company. Well, maybe you never will run a company if you never see a way to make that happen. However, the reality is that many accountants do run companies and they had to get out of their comfort zone in order to make it happen. The facts also tell us that many accountants have failed at running a company, but many non-accountants have run companies that have failed as well. What is more important is whether you have the talent, are willing to develop that talent into a strength and have the acumen and desire to make it happen. At best, thinking small and getting to run a company is an accident.

“People often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, and then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning” – Mohandas Gandhi
Concluding Remarks

As stated in the opening, I used the theme “We Shall Overcome” for this essay as a way to discuss the freedom each of has to free ourselves of the self-imposed chains that keep us from being our most potent. If we are to grow as human beings – leaders, followers or in any role we can imagine, we need to overcome:

  • Barriers, blocks and obstacles
  • Limiting beliefs

We need to test the creations of our mind so that we can be all that we can be. To use a few well-worn phrases created by others:

  • Are (our limiting thoughts) figments of our imagination?
  • Are they live (real) or is it Memorex?

It is useful to operate within a frame driven by purpose, values and principles. It is not useful to limit our satisfaction with life and our accomplishments because of mental blocks that are untested. If you are willing to be more than you are, you might want to think about being more than you have been. Think about possibilities that might be available to you if you weren’t constrained by your thoughts and your beliefs. Opportunity awaits those who can envision a better future, one that is not limited by one’s past. Whatever you did, you did because you thought you had to do it. As you look forward, take a fresh look at all you can be and you will have a better chance of being even more.

Lastly, if you are serious about doing some reading in this area I suggest the following:

  • MANAGING THOUGHT: THINK DIFFERENTLY. THINK POWERFULLY. ACHIEVE NEW LEVELS OF SUCCESS, by Mary Lore
  • THREE MINUTE THERAPY: CHANGE YOUR THINKING, CHANGE YOUR LIFE, by Michael R. Edelstein

I especially enjoyed reading Mary’s discussion about limiting beliefs.

And, there is more, there always is.

Be genuine.

Copyright 2014 © John J. Trakselis, Chicago CEO Coaching

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