You hear it all the time. “Know your limits.” But exactly does that mean? What are limits? Today let’s talk about knowing your limits and leading you to success. 

It’s really very simple. Limits are your personal permission slip to not feel like you have to do it all. 

And I know you. I know you feel like you have to be doing it all in order to be successful. You wouldn’t be reading a blog about running a successful business if somewhere deep down inside you didn’t feel like you had to do it all and do it all right. So take a deep breath and free yourself from the idea that you have to do each and everything little thing placed on your plate.  keep reading to to dive into knowing your limits and leading you to success. Keep reading to dive into Knowing Your Limits and Leading You to Success!

Know your limits. 

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If you’re overwhelmed because you feel like you have to do all the things, knowing your limits will change your life. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true. If you’re reading and thinking, “ Yeah, but, I like doing all the things,” I’m not going to argue with you on that, but I will ask you if you are truly enjoying it. 

Do you like wearing all the hats and potentially being worn thin because of your need to do it all? If you have a hard time not being in control, you probably also have a hard time knowing your limits. And you may be saying, “Melissa, I’m a great multitasker.” But I have to tell you, there is no such thing as a great multitasker. You can multitask, sure. But when you’re giving your time and energy to a dozen different things all at once, are you really doing them to the best of your ability? Are they really being done with greatness? 

If you’re driving your car can you also be doing your makeup, checking your emails, signing your kid’s school forms, having your breakfast, and hopping on a conference call all at the same time? If we were all being honest with ourselves, I’m willing to bet the answer would be no. And that’s okay. You don’t need to be a great multitasker when you learn to set limits for yourself! 

And just like doing a million things while driving your car is incredibly unsafe, so is doing a million things while running a business. Setting limits takes away the need to do multiple things all at once. If you limit yourself to only the tasks you can handle in one day, you won’t find yourself trying to do them all at the same time. And that is such a freeing feeling! 

Another way to talk about limits is to think about  “staying in your own lane.” I know you’ve heard the phrase and I truly don’t mean to make multiple driving analogies here, but it’s a great way to help you visualize the importance of sticking to your own path.  

Knowing Your Limits and Leading You to Success

In my opinion, knowing your limits simply means knowing what you are good at and honoring the things you can improve upon. If you are a master chef and someone asks you to plant them a garden, knowing your limits would help you know how to respond. Just because you know how to cook delicious meals, doesn’t mean you know how to grow food in the ground. But so many times people see the master chef’s connection to food and just assume they can do anything related to the field.

Truly understanding and honoring your limits would allow you to respond with a simple, “I’m happy to cook you a delicious meal, but growing the food is not in my wheelhouse!” We essentially have to say “no” to ourselves and others and I get it, that’s really challenging at times. But for every “yes” we give when we know we know we need to say “no” simply takes away from the things that have to be accomplished. 

And don’t get me wrong. I know we need to push our limits and get outside of our comfort zones in order to grow but that doesn’t mean we have to push so hard that we aren’t enjoying ourselves anymore. The master chef may want to explore the option of growing their own food and starting a garden, but it doesn’t mean they also have to become a master gardener in order to be good at being a chef. Each skill can enhance the other, but they both aren’t required to be successful. 

Understand what is required for your success and stick to that focus. And then maybe throw in a little “gardening” on the side to help expand your horizons! 

As you grow and evolve your limits may change. Honor that and go with what feels right to you. Focus on improving your skillset and being open to the opportunity of stretching your limits when the time is right. It’s ok to say “not yet,” but don’t underestimate the power of “yet.” You don’t always have to give a definitive “no.” You can give yourself the wiggle room to maybe try it one day. 

For today, it’s a no, but the power of “yet” means that maybe one day things will change.  

Take some time today to identify your limits and begin implementing them into your workflow. I can promise you that the only thing it will lead to is a more successful business! 

FOR EVEN MORE CONTENT ON BUILDING A BUSINESS WITH THE SKILLS AND HOURS YOU ALREADY HAVE, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT:

The Profit Plan for everything you need to start earning consistent income!

The Business Starter Kit for getting your business off the ground and out into the world!

Join me behind the scenes as a close friend on Instagram @thedirectdish where I’ll be sharing exclusive content every week about growing your business while taking care of your own wellness.