Question to unlock your full potential:

What are the beliefs that no longer serve me?

I recently came across a story with a powerful lesson for life:

While walking through an elephant camp, a woman noticed that the elephants were only being secured by a small rope around one ankle.

The huge animals were clearly capable of breaking the rope.

Confused, she asked one of the keepers why the elephants didn't break the ropes and wander off.

"Well, when the elephants were very young, we used the same small rope, but at that age, it was strong enough to hold them. Now, even though they are much bigger, they still believe the rope can hold them, so they never try to break it."

The lesson: An old, patterned belief has the power to keep you trapped.

At this very moment, you have old beliefs and ​stories​ about who you are that are holding you back from your goals.

It's time to question them:

What are the beliefs that no longer serve you?

How might you change your life if you change those beliefs?

This weekend, step out of your comfort zone and ask those questions. You may find that you break free of the tiny rope that was holding you back in life.

Quote on changing yourself:

"There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self." - Aldous Huxley

You can change the world—but you have to start by changing yourself.

Small things become big things.

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An interesting study on the power of mindset:

The Dartmouth Scar Experiment

In 1980, a Dartmouth psychologist named Dr. Robert Kleck conducted ​an experiment​ with a group of undergraduate students in which half the participants were told they would have a large scar painted prominently on their face by a makeup artist prior to engaging in a series of interviews.

In reality, the scar they were shown in the mirror was removed prior to the interviews, but half the participants engaged in the interviews believing that they had a large scar in full view.

In the fascinating results, the participants who believed they had the scar noted that the interviewers had treated them differently. They cited feelings of judgement, helplessness, and powerlessness in the situation. The participants who believed they had appeared normally did not express any such feelings.

Simply believing they had a scar caused them to interact with the world differently and perceive slights that did not exist.

The Dartmouth Scar Experiment is an interesting case study on the impact of a so-called "victim mentality" on our lives:

When we attribute our own misses, failures, and challenges to factors outside our control, we give too much power to them.

Alternatively, when we embrace accountability—when we take ownership of our situation and the actions and beliefs that are within our control—we take back that power.

Life definitely isn't fair. It's a troubling reality.

But instead of wasting energy on every obstacle in your way, focus on what you can control and how you can break through.

Stop looking out. Look in. Be accountable. Take back that power.

Tweet storm on the power of why:

This was a great thread on a question we all need to ask ourselves:

Why do I want [X]?

Well articulated and worth your time...

A question to spark incredible conversation:

If you ever find yourself in an unfamiliar social or professional situation, here's a question I love to ask that sparks incredible conversation:

What is creating energy in your life right now?

The question is so simple, but it gets the other person talking about something they're energized about, which almost always gets a conversation moving and flowing.

The answer can be personal or professional, and it's much more interesting than the "What do you do?" standard fare at most gatherings.

Try it and let me know what you think!