What Stops Us from Growing

Growth is not only hard but terrifying because it requires us to move ahead, leaving everything behind. Abandoning our comfort zone! This is why we are afraid to move on. Change, even positive change, can be daunting. It's like stepping off a cliff, not knowing if you'll fly or fall. Is that all that prevents us from growing? I think there is more.....

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What exactly holds us back?

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1. Being uncomfortable is your new comfort zone

Isn't it strange how we can get used to discomfort? It's like wearing shoes that pinch - after a while, we hardly notice. This happens in life too. We stick with bad jobs or unhealthy relationships because they're familiar. It's the devil we know. This comfort in discomfort can be particularly toxic because it masquerades as contentment when it's just fear of the unknown.

Here's how we can deal with it:

• Challenge yourself daily with small, new experiences like trying out a new color or going on that date.
• Keep a journal to track your experiences so that you know where you are pushing your boundaries.

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2. You don't know all your options. You think that you do but you don't.

Sometimes, we feel stuck simply because we can't see all the paths available to us. It's like being in a maze and forgetting you can climb over the walls. Our vision becomes tunneled, focused only on the obvious choices.

This is how we can overcome this:

• Socialize. Talk to people from different walks of life to gain new perspectives.
• Engage in regular brainstorming sessions: generate as many ideas as possible for your life or current situation, no matter how outlandish they may seem.

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3. You believe in more negative than positive outcomes. Obviously!

Our brains are wired to focus on the negative. It's a survival instinct gone haywire. This negativity bias can cloud our judgment and make us overly cautious, preventing us from taking calculated risks that could lead to growth.

This is how we can overcome this:

• Practice gratitude daily to train your brain to notice the positive.
• Challenge yourself – Remember, you are more than just your thoughts. For every negative thought, challenge yourself to think of two positive possibilities.

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4. You're staying loyal to all the effort you've put in, even if that's not the right path

We keep reading a boring book or stay in a dead-end job because we've already invested so much time. But sometimes, it's better to cut our losses and here’s how you can do that,

• Conduct a "fresh start" analysis. This mental exercise can help you evaluate your situation more objectively, free from the influence of past investments.
• Seek outside perspective: Ask trusted friends, family members, or mentors to give their honest opinion about your current path.

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5. You're only thinking about what you believed first

First impressions are powerful, but they're not always right. We tend to stick with our initial beliefs, even when presented with new information. This bias is the biggest red flag.

Practice:
• Learn. Actively seek out information that challenges your beliefs.
• Try a new thing daily which you initially disliked and record the experience.
And learn how easy it is to change our perception.

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6. You're making long-term decisions based on short-term difficulties

We might quit a degree program because of one tough semester, forgetting about the long-term benefits. This short-sightedness can lead to decisions we later regret, stunting our growth in the process. Practice the following to overcome this:

• Sleep on it. Before making big decisions, sleep on it and see how it feels in the morning.
• Allow the emotions to pass by practicing 5 min somatic release. Take a decision once you are calmer.

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7. Self-reflection has become your defense mechanism

Introspect, don't overthink. There is a difference. Introspection is helpful self-reflection, while overthinking is excessive worrying that doesn't solve anything.
This over-analysis can become a form of procrastination, preventing us from implementing the insights we gain. This is how we overcome this:

• Set a timer for self-reflection sessions to avoid overthinking.
• Balance reflection with action - for every insight, decide on a concrete step to take.

Growth isn't easy. Our minds play tricks on us, making us believe that staying put is safer than moving forward. These biases are like invisible chains holding us back. By recognizing them and actively working to overcome them, we can break free.

So, next time you feel stuck, remember these biases and ask yourself, "Are you truly unable to grow, or are you just telling yourself a story?"

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Visit Transform Happily Website to read more of such articles or to learn more about human emotions. You can also call our customer wellness managers on our toll-free number 1800-833-8747 for any queries. Let us guide you in the right direction.

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Let us transform, happily!