Give Up Playing Small

Berenice Mulubah

Sometimes, to become successful, we do not need to add more things, we need to give up on some of them. 

Even though each one of us has a different definition of success, there are certain things that are universal, which, if you give up on them, you will be more successful. One of those things is "Give Up Playing Small". 

"Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone, and as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Marianne Williamson

If you never try and take great opportunities, or allow your dreams to become realities, you will never realize your true potential. 

Moreover, the world will benefit from what you could have achieved. So voice your ideas, don't be afraid to fail, and certainly don't be afraid to succeed. 

"It is not about the cards you are dealt, but how you play the hand." Randy Pausch

Successful people know that they are responsible for their life, no matter their starting point, weaknesses, and past failures.

Realizing that you are entirely responsible for what happens next in your life, is both frightening and exciting.

However, it is the only way that you can reach the success because excuses limit and prevent us from growing personally and professionally. 

Own your life; no one else will.

Give Up The Fixed Mindset.

"The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways." Robert Greene

In a fixed mindset, people believe that their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits and that alone creates success, without effort. They are wrong. 

Invest an immense amount of time on a daily basis to develop a growth mindset, acquire new knowledge, learn new skills and change their perception so that it can benefit their lives. 

Remember, who you are today, it is not whom you have to be tomorrow. 

Overnight success is a myth. 

Successful people know that making small continuous improvement everyday, will be compounded over time, and give them desired results. 

That why you should plan for the future, but focus on the day that's ahead of you, and improve just 1%. Nothing will ever be perfect, no matter how much we try. 

Fear of failure (or even fear of success) often prevents us from taking action and putting our creation out there in the world. However, many opportunities will be lost if we wait for things to be right. 

Detach from the things you cannot control, and focus on the ones you can, and know that sometimes, the only thing you will be able to monitor is your attitude towards something.

Give up saying YES to things that don't support your goals. 

Successful people know this that to accomplish their goals, they will have to say NO to tasks, activities, and demands from your friends, family, and colleagues. 

On a short-term, you might sacrifice a bit of instant gratification, but when your goals come to fruition, it will be worth it. 

If you spend time with people more advanced than you, no matter how challenging that might be, you will be more successful. 

Take a look around yourself, and see if you need to make any changes.