Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations: A Philosophy of Inner Strength

Introduction

In previous discussions of the Linear Perceived Process (LPP), we've explored how external constraints, such as market demands and organizational structures, affect our decisions.

However, just as important are the self-imposed limitations we carry within us.

Whether it's self-doubt, fear, or limiting beliefs, these internal barriers can quietly shape our perceptions and actions, often holding us back from reaching our full potential.

In this article, we'll explore how applying LPP can help us identify and overcome self-imposed limitations.

Understanding Self-Imposed Limitations

Self-imposed limitations are the mental barriers we create based on experiences, assumptions, or ingrained beliefs. Unlike external constraints, these are often invisible but powerful enough to restrict our potential.

Common Examples of Self-Imposed Limitations:

• Negative Self-Talk: “I’m just not good at this.”

• Fear of Failure: “What if I try and fail?”

• Perceived Lack of Ability: “I don’t have the skills to succeed.”

• Emotional Triggers: Reacting defensively to criticism instead of using it constructively.

These internal barriers often shape how we approach challenges, whether in our personal lives or professional roles.

Applying LPP to Overcome Self-Imposed Limitations

Just as LPP helps assess external realities, it can be applied to identify and either reframe or destroy self-imposed barriers in our lives. The process consists of three key steps:

1. Current State: Recognize the self-imposed limitation and its impact. This often starts with simply recognizing a feeling, belief or habit you have, but don’t like.

2. Desired Future State: Define how you would prefer to believe about yourself or handle a particular situation.

3. Action: Identify and implement strategies to replace limiting thoughts with empowering perspectives.

Let's explore 2 examples of how I’ve applied this in my life.

Example 1: Overcoming the "Bad Memory" Limitation

For decades, I lived with the belief that I had a terrible memory—an issue I traced back to my high school years. I tried countless techniques, read books, and listened to experts. Nothing helped.

Looking back, I realize I had been reinforcing my limitation for years, telling myself I just have to live with it.

Even as I was ‘trying’ memory improvement techniques I didn’t really believe they would help, so I never put my full effort into any of them.

Then one day, at work, I heard myself use my “bad memory” as an excuse. My own words shocked me into silence. I was horrified by the words that had just come out of my mouth.

I was immediately heard the famous Henry Ford quote:

"If you think you can, you are right. If you think you can't, you are also right."

When things like this happen, you can do what we all do most of the time: brush the incident aside and move on. Or, you can do what I did after that fateful meeting: you can apply LPP.

Applying LPP:

1. Current State: "I have a terrible memory."

2. Desired Future State: "My memory is fine."

3. Action Plan: Stop telling myself what I don’t want and start telling myself the truth I want: “My memory is fine, I’ve been sabotaging my confidence, but never again “.

The rest of the afternoon, I kept repeating to myself: “I have no memory problem. I’ve had a confidence problem."

Ok, I’m not perfect; I actually told myself I “have” a confidence problem, but when I realized I was trading one problem for another, I switched to “had”.

The result?

Although I had already forgotten what my wife wanted from the store that day. It was normal and expected, so she always wrote it down and kept the list with her.

When I picked her up that evening, I told her everything on her list, without looking at it. I could finally prove to her I really did listen to her in the mornings. I had just always convinced myself I wouldn’t be able to remember, so I never did.

Again, I don’t claim perfection, but ever since then I’ve been closer to 90% accurate with my memory instead of the 0% I had accepted as normal.

Key Lesson: Self-imposed limitations often stem from our own narrative, and by consciously reframing our beliefs, we can achieve immediate and lasting change.

Example 2: Managing Emotional Triggers in the Workplace

A particular experience from my high school years left an imprint that followed me for decades.

When my manager loudly accused me, in front of my friends and peers, of doing something immoral (by my standards), and maybe even illegal, I snapped.

I was loud and vulgar as I explain the exact details of how she had things completely backwards.

Despite being right, I should have been fired immediately for my outburst. I actually stood there, waiting for the words, but she just walked away.

I went back to work, a temporary hero to many of my co-workers.

The next day I went by work to talk to a friend and was stunned to hear I was late for my shift. I quit on the spot.

Since that incident and for much of my life, there was an easy way to anger me: falsely accuse me of doing something bad.

More than 10 years later, when I was falsely accused by another manager, my response was different from my teenage reaction—but not better.

Instead of an angry outburst, I responded calmly but rudely, making clear what I thought of him. It wasn't until years after that incident, upon reflection, I realized something critical:

While my demeanor was calm professionalism, my words came from a place of emotional turmoil, not the rational control I believed it to be.

Analysis with LPP:

• Current State: I felt powerless and demeaned and reacted emotionally, though it appeared calm.

• Desired Future State: Respond to such incidents with emotional detachment.

• Action: I reframed my mindset, adopting the identity: “I am a professional. I do not take things personally at work.”

This commitment transformed how I handled future situations. Recognizing that personal life stress contributed to my emotional responses, I vowed to maintain a clear boundary between work and life.

I later began personal development practices that strengthened my emotional awareness, allowing me to respond with genuine composure.

The most recent time I was falsely accused, I smiled, walked to my desk, and provided evidence proving my case—no anger, no defensiveness, no upset over being accused, just compassion for the person who had overlooked the work I had already delivered.

Key Lesson: True calmness comes from within, not from avoiding external triggers.

Conclusion

Overcoming self-imposed limitations is an essential step in personal and professional growth. By applying LPP to internal challenges, we can shift our perspective, break free from limiting beliefs, and achieve our full potential.

Next Week:

We'll explore how self-imposed limitations manifest in manufacturing engineering and how LPP can help leaders drive process improvements and career growth.