Push Your Boundaries

Day 200 / 365

A lot of people had told me that I have put too much on my plate this year. I switched to a more demanding job, I put up challenges for myself with the reading one book a week and writing one blog a day. And I almost never watch TV shows or movies anymore. But it’s something that I am choosing to put myself through as I am sure it would help, even if this goes against most concepts of self-improvement, that teach you to do things you enjoy and take it slow.

Is it worth putting yourself through some challenges or hardship every now an then? Maybe uninstalling social media apps for a week, or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Or maybe fasting for one day every week. I certainly think there are reasons one should try this.

The first reason is that it builds willpower. Your willpower has a limit, but the limit can be increased with practice, just like building muscle. If you voluntarily give yourself a hard time, that gives you the confidence that you will make it through when life gets tough.

Not only that, it prepares you for bad times. I know a lot of us will have a hard time if we had to go without food for even half a day. But if you are someone who does that every week voluntarily, you know how easy it seems to you.

You have the power to change your reality. You might say to people, “I am not a morning person, I need at least 8 hours of sleep or I can’t function”. Just give waking up an early a try sometime. Force yourself to do it, just to prove to yourself, if no one else, that you have more potential than you give yourself credit for. So pick up a challenge, something you think you can never do. And for a change, don’t start slow or dream within your limits. Try to push your boundaries, and I am sure you’ll surprise yourself.

This post is part of my 365 Day Project for 2019. Read about it here

Yesterday’s blog — Ronald McNair