"When I reached my Upper Limit of how much positive feeling I could handle, I created a series of unpleasant thoughts to deflate me."— Dr. Gay Hendricks
My Story
Have you ever noticed how, just when things are going well, you seem to sabotage yourself? This might sound familiar: You reach a point of success or happiness, only to suddenly feel unworthy or convinced that it won't last. If you've experienced this, you're not alone. It’s something I recently realized I’ve been doing to myself for years—especially during my entrepreneurial journey.
It hit me hard when I was working on my business. I’d been pushing forward, achieving success, and feeling a sense of joy—yet I still felt like I wasn’t “good enough.” Why? Because I was unconsciously setting my own limits on how much positive emotion and success I could accept. This self-sabotage wasn’t new, but the awareness of it was. And now, I’m committed to breaking through those limits.
What is the Upper Limit Problem?
The concept of the Upper Limit comes from Dr. Gay Hendricks’ book The Big Leap. Essentially, the Upper Limit refers to the subconscious “ceiling” we place on how much happiness, success, or love we think we deserve. As soon as we reach it, we subconsciously create negative thoughts or situations to bring us back down. It’s a form of self-sabotage where we "cap" our potential and stop ourselves from fully experiencing success and joy.
Why Do We Do This to Ourselves?
It’s almost like there’s a part of us that believes we don’t deserve all the good things happening in our lives. Whether it’s in our business, our marriage, our health, or how we view ourselves, we create limits—limits that only exist in our minds. Maybe you’ve noticed this in your own life too. It could show up as:
Feeling unworthy of your success
Believing you don’t deserve happiness or peace
Holding back in relationships, thinking you might "mess it up"
Fearing that if things go too well, they’ll fall apart
The crazy thing is, we choose these upper limits. We convince ourselves that feeling joy or contentment is wrong or fleeting. But here’s the thing—there’s nothing wrong with feeling good!
Reflect on Your Journey
Take a moment to reflect on where you are in life right now. Yes, there have been challenges—pain, struggles, and self-doubt—but look at you now. You're here, thriving, and that is because of you. All your efforts, your perseverance, your growth—it's gotten you this far. Embrace it. Recognize that you deserve all the success and joy you’ve earned.
So why do we still hold back?
Breaking Through the Upper Limit
We often downplay our accomplishments and happiness, thinking we’ll be “too much” or that something bad is bound to happen. But why? Why do we create these limitations? It’s time to stop the cycle.
The key to overcoming your Upper Limit is messy action—yes, the messy, imperfect steps that get you back on track when you start to veer off the positive path. When you start to feel self-doubt creeping in, or when those negative thoughts flood your mind, don’t just let them dictate your reality.
Instead, pump the brakes, realign with your true potential, and push forward with renewed energy. You deserve to be happy, successful, and loved, and you have the power to overcome those self-imposed limits.
Reclaim Your Power
Next time you experience happiness or success, let it linger. Celebrate it! Don’t let your mind tell you that it won’t last or that you don’t deserve it. It’s time to let go of the negativity and embrace your full potential.
I’m here to guide you through this journey. If you're ready to break through your Upper Limits and create lasting positive change in your life, know that you're not alone. Let’s work together to shift your mindset, take bold action, and move beyond the limits you’ve set for yourself.
You’re worthy of all the good things life has to offer. Take that leap and watch your life transform.
Comments