Bach later wrote another masterpiece, “Illusions,” which contains one of the most powerful lines I’ve ever read: “Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they’re yours.”
That line hit me hard and is one that I cling to and preach to my kids.
It seems to me that we live in a culture where excuses have become the norm. We say, “That’s just how things are.” “It is what it is.” “The system won’t allow it.” And slowly, we build a prison of our own beliefs. And my guess is that it is uncomfortable for most of us to admit that most limitations in life and business aren’t imposed on us. They are accepted within us.
That doesn’t mean obstacles aren’t real. They are. External factors like politics, inequity, competition, and circumstance exist. But there’s a difference between facing obstacles and becoming defined by them.
I want to believe that the best performers separate themselves not by avoiding difficulty, but by moving through it. (Be the Buffalo)
Think of a quarterback. The bad ones drop back, drop their eyes, see the defensive rush, and freeze. Their focus becomes the danger closing in on them. They panic, get sacked, toss it away, or throw an interception. Why? Because they focused on the obstacle. And I am a Cleveland Browns fan, so I know bad quarterbacks!
The great ones? They feel the rush, but they keep their eyes downfield. They take the hit if necessary. They trust their preparation. They stay locked on possibility. And they deliver.
That mindset is rare today because distraction and comparisons are constant. Social media puts everyone else’s highlight reel in our face 24/7. And as Teddy Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” But, I would add that it is also the fuel of excuses.
I’m currently reading about stoicism and how the best don’t let the outside variables distract them. In essence, stoicism means that you will not give power to anything outside of your control. And while we should expect obstacles, setbacks, and unfairness, we cannot be shocked by them. In turn, we certainly should not waste energy complaining about them.
I believe that the happiest and most successful people fight for possibility. In other words, they believe in growth and choose action over victimhood. They keep their eyes downfield.
Stoicism combined with accountability can simultaneously give you peace and power. Quite honestly, they can make you unstoppable.
Just because things seem to be changing rapidly doesn’t mean we are not able to move forward. Yes, AI is all the rage, budgets are tightening, and competitors are bigger. But, that doesn’t mean you give in to the excuses, blame others, and whine. It means you should push harder, innovate, and believe that opportunity still exists.
We don’t need a world with fewer obstacles. We need a world with more people who refuse to be defined by them.
Don’t argue for your limitations. Fight for your possibilities and keep your eyes downfield.
