You Can Grow Your Own Way: Accepting our Limits on the Journey to our Goals By Zack McMaster

Not being able to do what we want to do is frustrating. Maybe you want to be able to run a marathon, paint a masterpiece, or compose a symphony. Maybe you want to organize better, quit a bad habit, or socialize better. Other people can do it, why can’t I? In this frustration, we often try to push ourselves beyond our limits, which only hurts us and makes us more frustrated. We see the end goal in our minds and want to be there now, without the time and effort it takes to get there. 

Limits are not a bad thing. They are there to protect us as well as show us our progress towards our goals. If you push yourself too far past your limit too fast, you will end up hurting yourself and frustrating yourself. As we make progress towards our goals, we will notice that our limits will change. We may be able to lift heavier weights or run further or play our instruments for longer. We may not be at our goals yet, but our limits show us our growth.

The journey to our goals will be filled with emotions. One day, we will see some progress and be excited. The next day, we will see how far we have to go and get disappointed or disheartened. We may feel like it is pointless to keep trying because the goal seems so far away, almost impossible to achieve. We may see other people moving towards their goals quicker, both inspiring us and making us jealous. 

I am sure we have all been told to “give 110%”. While that can seem inspirational, it is calling for you to push yourself past your limit, past your breaking point. You can only give a maximum of 100%, but you should not stay at 100%. There is no machine designed to constantly run at 100% for a very long time. Even professional athletes do not stay at 100% everytime they do their sport. If machines and professionals cannot sustain 100% all the time, neither can you. You need to slow down and rest. Sometimes we need to give 50% and allow our bodies and minds time to relax. The longer you stay at 100%, the faster you will wear down.

Our 100% will not be the same as someone else’s. We all have different starting points and ending points. Someone else’s 100% may be your 80%. Your 100% may be someone else’s 70%. We all have different limits. Comparing ourselves with others or with our ideal self keeps us from appreciating our own journey. 

Growth is not linear, and that is ok. Sometimes on our journey, we will feel like we are going backwards. It will feel like our goal is slipping further away. Some days we will be so close to the goal and the next day, we cannot achieve the same thing. The body and the mind need time to rest. On those days, it will feel like we can’t do anything. Rather than be frustrated that you have to rest, utilize it. Use these days to appreciate your body and your mind for what they are doing for you. Then use that rest as a springboard towards your goals. 

We can only grow as fast as we can. We cannot force ourselves to achieve our goals quicker than we are able. While you are still on the path to your goals, recognize that this journey can only be taken step by step, and appreciate every step you take. You cannot skip to the end, so you might as well enjoy the trip.