One of Amy Purdy's three core life "truths" is that limitations are not meant to hinder you. Instead, they should be viewed as solid ground from which you can push off to propel yourself forward and achieve amazing things, turning adversity into momentum.

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Drastically changing your life overnight is a recipe for failure. The key to breaking limiting beliefs is to start with a single, incredibly small win, like a daily one-block walk. This proves to your brain that you can follow through, creating a foundation of self-trust that allows you to build momentum for bigger changes.

Adopt the mindset that "the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next." This frames success as a continuous journey, not a final destination. Reaching one major goal, like a degree or a bestseller, simply reveals the next, bigger challenge, preventing complacency and fueling sustained ambition.

When facing obstacles, adopt the mindset of a GPS like Waze. It doesn't tell you to go home when there's a problem ahead; it simply finds a new path to the same destination. This reframes challenges as simple pivots rather than catastrophic failures, keeping you focused on the end goal.

Setting a specific, achievable goal can inadvertently cap your potential. Once hit, momentum can stall. A better approach is to set directional, almost unachievable goals that act as a persistent motivator, ensuring you're always pushing beyond perceived limits and never feel like you've arrived.

Rejection, failure, and ended relationships can feel devastating in the moment. However, these are often necessary events that close off paths that are too small for the person you are destined to become, creating space for much greater opportunities.

Labeling a goal 'impossible' is a defense mechanism that shuts down creative thinking. The framing 'it's impossible, unless…' bypasses this block. It acknowledges the difficulty while immediately prompting the mind to search for the specific conditions or actions that would make the goal achievable, turning a dead end into a brainstorm.

A rational optimist's mindset views problems as opportunities for growth and discovery, not setbacks. Life is movement and stasis is death. Engaging with problems, even when it causes disruption, is necessary to create progress and unlock new, better challenges to solve.

Instead of shying away from uncomfortable situations, reframe them as your personal "teacher." Adopting the mindset that "everything is here to teach me" transforms fear of failure into an opportunity for profound growth, helping you expand your capabilities and master your ego.

The popular platitude 'you can be anything' is harmful because it fosters delusion. True success comes from radical self-awareness: understanding your innate talents and, just as importantly, your limitations. Don't waste time on goals you're not built for; focus on where you can actually excel.

Pain is a teacher, and growth only happens during challenging times. Instead of shrinking from adversity, train yourself to respond with "good." This simple verbal cue reframes the situation from a negative event to a "worthy opponent," encouraging you to lean in and find the lesson or opportunity within the hardship.

Reframe Your Limitations as Launchpads, Not Obstacles | RiffOn