Get Out of Your Own Way: Breaking Your Glass Ceiling

I love being a Life and Breakthrough Coach because, to be perfectly honest, the work I do with others mirrors the exact work I need in my own life. In other words… yes, I’m working through it all too. We’re all in this together.

I had to start with that because, well, today’s topic is one I know all too well.

In fact, any entrepreneur knows it. Any visionary knows it. Anyone aiming to enter a new phase of life, a new level, or a new experience knows it:

Getting out of our own way.

How many of us have felt it?

As I’m writing this, I can’t help but think of Paul in the Bible:

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” Romans 7:15

Ah, yes. Unfortunately, this shows up in a myriad of ways in our lives- from light (an extra stop at Dunkin’ every morning) to deeply detrimental (a “fun” habit that turns into an addiction).

It’s something we all wrestle with. The knowing we shouldn’t- but we do. Or the knowing we should- and we don’t.

Today, let’s talk about the latter.

Knowing what to do, but- damn it- you just can’t escape your own mechanisms. This is a common theme among those who come to work with me.

They’re ready. On the ledge. But a host of issues stops them. So today, let’s tackle three:

• Same story, different day

• The internal failure complex

• Too many options

If we were working together 1:1, my first humbling question would be:

What have you changed, stuck to, and followed through on to try and shift this?

It’s the old saying: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is… what?

Insanity.

Let this be an invitation to face a hard truth today. We can’t live in Groundhog Day and expect something new to pop up. In my coaching, my job isn’t just to help you break through the beliefs and routines holding you back- it’s to create a plan to walk you forward. It’s one thing to realize. Another to change. But the ultimate challenge?

Consistency in the change.

If we want different results, we have to do different things.

So, let’s say we take you to your new chapter.We establish a routine that lights you up. You’re excited, and we’ve made it to the starting line.

The horn goes off, and you’re RUNNING.

It’s thrilling! A couple of stumbles here and there, but you’re moving.

Then… you slow down.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’m watching you- smiling, a bit confused- thinking:

“…Keep going! Come on!”

You stop. Look at me. And begin walking back, head down.

Ah yes, I think to myself.

Alright. Let’s talk.

You’ve hit the invisible barrier. And unfortunately, this one isn’t external- it’s internal.

Which makes it harder to see.

The internal failure complex has arrived.

Did you know we often fear success?

Failure, yes- of course. But success?

Think about it: What does success mean to you? What image comes to mind? What does it give you?

Now… let’s be honest: What do you fear it could take away?

Gay Hendricks beautifully unpacks this in his book The Big Leap (a foundation of my coaching), describing the “hidden barriers” that hold us back from living in our zone of genius- that space where only we can do what we do, in the way we do it.

These perceived limits might include:

• Fear of failure

• Fear of success

• Fear of abandonment

• Or the fear that there’s something inherently wrong with us- and that more success would only expose it

Did something resonate there?

Let that linger for a bit.

This one takes time to work through. Once we identify your perceived limit and what’s holding you back, the process of realizing, releasing, and undoing begins.

It’s a beautiful process. Uncomfortable- but beautiful.

Releasing, though, has an incredible victory story on the other side:

The ability to write a new story.

We often don’t recognize the stories we have playing in our minds until the perfect experience comes along to expose them. (God is good at what He does.)

It’s not an invitation to turn back- it’s an invitation to walk through.

Adversity is the norm down here. What we do with it? Well, we'll see.

Now, let’s touch on the final pillar:

Too many options.

Back in my days as an educator, there was a phenomenal fourth-grade teacher who used a phrase I still hold onto:

“Analysis paralysis.”

Ever felt that?

Yes… I have!

It’s when we’re overwhelmed with options.

Simply put- too many choices.

In the grocery store- no, we don’t need everything in those middle aisles...

New snacks and foods come out every month. Do we need them?

Probably not. More nutritious, natural food? Yes, please.

I don’t need endless varieties of cake and sweets. My body doesn’t either.

Keep it simple.

Simple is effective.

Effective gets you there.

Part of my job is to simplify this journey. It’s incredibly difficult to see the big picture when you’re in the thick of it.

There are many options- but let’s identify the best ones for you, cultivate excellence and discipline, and consistently walk through the limiting beliefs and hidden barriers that pop up.

Remember: the forest is the way home.

And on the other side of the forest?

A new life.

If any part of you is whispering, “This is me…” -you don’t have to figure it out alone.

I offer free Discovery Calls to help you get clear on what’s really keeping you stuck. Click over to my coaching page to book your call.

It might just be the conversation that changes it.

#LifeCoaching #BreakthroughCoach #SelfSabotage #IdentityWork #GettingUnstuck #ClarityandConfidence