What’s Holding You Back?
Harry Houdini is one of the most famous magicians, escapologists and stunt performers of all time. I recently read an account of how he introduced the straitjacket into his act. While touring an insane asylum in Canada, he witnessed a “maniac” struggling to “free himself from his canvas restraint.” Houdini, fascinated by the device, began experimenting with it immediately, and soon integrated the escape into his repertoire.
As I read about handcuffs, ropes and straitjackets, I began thinking about “devices” that restrain us; that is, the obstacles that hinder us from achieving our full potential. For Houdini, his profession consisted of overcoming these obstacles, and escaping from various devices. For us, our success is often determined by the extent to which we are able to “escape from” the obstacles that stand in our way.
There are two points in an endeavor when people have the hardest time: the beginning, and when the endeavor is about 80% complete. The beginning is represented by the metaphorical straitjacket. When constrained in this way, it is very difficult to begin the task, or the project.
Now, we’re obviously not physically constrained as we start on the journey to achieving our goal. So what is it that holds us back? Limiting beliefs. You know what this sounds like, right? “I can’t do this.” “Sure, it worked for Jane. But she’s _____ (fill in the blank) than I am.” And my favorite limiting belief, “I don’t have enough time/money/etc.”
Limiting beliefs are stories that we tell ourselves. While there may be some validity to the belief, we often magnify the issue. When this happens, we talk ourselves out of even attempting the endeavor. Limiting beliefs ensure failure, and the saga continues with us being the victim of our “misfortune.”
What a shame that people give up before they even start. It’s like being an escapologist, donning a straitjacket, then deciding not to even attempt an escape. Remember that success in your next task, project or business venture is probably easier than escaping from a straitjacket – a feat that Houdini was routinely able to accomplish.
