Do you know your limits? Chances are you think you have a pretty good idea of your capabilities. For example, if you’re into running, you probably have a fair idea of how fast you can run a mile. You might define that number as being your limit, and if asked, you’re probably going to answer with that number. 

But is that your limit? 

The truth is, you don’t know your limits until you’ve pushed them. That time for running a mile might not be a limit so much as what you can run reasonably comfortably with only a little bit of pushing. But in an emergency, you’d probably discover that you can run much faster than that. 

When it comes to goal setting, you likewise define limits for yourself. But are they your limits? And how do you know if they are? The time has come to test them. 

1. Passion knows no bounds. When you’re excited about something, you should automatically be trying to see how far you can take it. Testing your limits then starts first with measuring your excitement level. The urge to throw yourself into a project means you’re already testing your limits in it. 

2. Break it down. When you want to explore your passion but feel limited, then break down the steps needed to go further, concentrating only on the next step. Why does this work? In the example involving running, say you run an 11-minute mile, but want to run an 8-minute mile. If you try to push yourself that hard, that fast, you’re only going to hurt yourself. Instead, look only at the next goal, which might be 10 minutes and 45 seconds. When you’ve attained that goal, you go for the next, and so on, pushing your limits in small increments. 

3. Push daily. Take these small changes where you’re pushing yourself and make a point to do them daily. This regularity gives incremental growth over time until it becomes a habit to push yourself that little bit each day. 

4. Always seek the next mountain. Once you’ve reached a goal, don’t assume that you’re at the end of the process. Any mountain climber will tell you that reaching the summit is fantastic, but there’s always another peak to conquer. What is the next summit that you can tackle? Keep looking ahead. Imagine a life of constant growth and no true limits at all. 

Testing your limits is an important part of reaching your best potential. By continually pushing, you will continue to prove to yourself, and the world around you, your capabilities. You’ll be amazed at what you learn in the process!

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