You might be miserable or full of anger. You might want change and need to find some escape. Is this what you are currently experiencing in your life? Is there something more ambitious you'd like to accomplish but, for whatever reason, you feel unqualified to do it right now? If this applies to you, be sure you are not the only one suffering from this. Since humans are meant to evolve into "better versions'' of themselves through growth and maturity, almost everyone has felt this way at some point in their lives.
Although each of us has unique goals, aspirations, and dreams, they all lead to the same place: improving our previous state of happiness, financial security, or romantic relationships. Why is it that some of us find it so difficult to go forward in life? To answer this, we need to look at the restrictions that hold us back.
What Are Restrictions?
Restrictions are ostensibly things that keep you from doing something. Digging a little further, you'll discover that restrictions are what keep you stuck in a loop. These restrictions force you to make the same decisions, deal with the same issues, and follow the same paths. Restrictions determine your current circumstances, which means they also determine your quality of life. However, here's another insight from those who consistently achieve breakthroughs: Your comprehension is what creates your reality. However, what matters here is not reality but rather our perspective of it. Therefore, the secret to making that breakthrough is your capacity to control your perspective.
Breakthrough Framework
This framework aims to turn any restrictions you may face into an opportunity by offering a thorough typical shift. With the help of this framework, you will be able to change for the better, reach your goals, and overcome any obstacles in your path.
You'll learn how to apply these seven key skills to support your transformation. These skills will help you work harder, seize opportunities faster, and permanently transform you so that you are never bound by these restrictions again.
Step 1: Find a hidden opportunity
The first step is to find a “hidden opportunity.”
Humans tend to focus on the negatives or the things we are missing out on when faced with a challenge or setback, but that's just part of life! Since there will always be restrictions of one kind or another, why not teach your mind to focus on opportunities rather than restrictions? There is always a hidden opportunity waiting to be revealed when faced with any obstacle. Recognize that there are always two sides to any story rather than giving up or confronting these challenges. This implies that every challenge you encounter can present an opportunity.
To find your hidden opportunity, try asking yourself these questions:
- What restriction is affecting your quality of life now? Why is it considered a restriction?
- What prevents you from doing so and so? (Mention a specific thing).
- What is the turning point?
A turning point is a major obstacle that, if overcome, will open up new opportunities that were not available to you before. So, to create a new opportunity, you just have to find that turning point within your restrictions.
For example, “If I could only accomplish… I would be able to… (the new opportunity.)”
Writing a statement about the new opportunity
For example, I have the opportunity to... by doing so and so.
Writing an opportunity statement will strengthen your resolve and motivate you to move beyond the things that are holding you back. Facing an obstacle can be a real mental drain. The longer you stay stuck in it, the more effort and energy will be drained from you. So, taking this step forward to find your hidden opportunity helps ignite positivity that will drive you to focus on the next steps.
Step 2: Plan your progression ladder
Now that you've found your hidden opportunity, the next step is to plan your progression ladder. This simply means that you must have an action plan on how to realize this opportunity! It all starts with setting achievable goals.
The first secret
To creating achievable goals is to find your North Star (figuratively.)
Your North Star is what will guide you toward your results. Ensure your goals are focused on achieving what you truly want within those restrictions. This star of yours is the biggest goal to which all of your other goals are connected.
The second secret
Is to set goals aimed at growth. This means your success should depend on prosperity and progress, not on achieving just one result.
The third secret
Is to break down big steps into smaller ones. Breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller, more manageable goals will help you stay in harmony as you work toward your ultimate goal. The progression ladder starts here. The smaller and clearer each step is, the easier it will be for you to keep moving toward your goal. Once you set an action plan with clear goals, it's time to start working on them. Next, your actual energy and interest will emerge. Many of us stop here because we lack energy or interest to finish it. Therefore, we must ensure they are only used for the appropriate tasks.
Step 3: Invest according to your energy, and set your priorities according to your time
The third step is to invest in energy and set priorities. A breakthrough can only be attained by focused effort and energy above and beyond what you put forth. Your time cannot be wasted on side projects or fragmented efforts. Therefore, focus is your greatest weapon because it increases your effectiveness.
Time is something we can never get back, so we have to spend it wisely. When we devote time to the wrong things, whether through inadequate planning or prioritization, we waste our time. Consequently, we do not make the best use of our time. Thereby, the answer is to focus. To double our efforts, we must invest in the energy and time we have.
First and foremost, you need energy because time management is useless if you cannot focus. You will end up wasting it because you are not spending it in a way that brings you productive results.
Our attention span is limited, so avoid distractions and work on your tasks in brief, focused bursts. Utilize helpful tools to help you organize your thoughts, such as diaries, recording devices, and applications, to prevent your brain from filling up with pointless data. Continue doing this exercise to improve your focus.
After that comes the role of energy. After you discover how to make the most of your energy, it's critical to comprehend how you allocate your time, set your priorities, and use deadlines to your advantage. Establish a priority list for the tasks or actions that are most crucial. Once your priorities are established, be sure to schedule them into weekly time slots so you can actually execute them.
Now that you have identified your opportunity, steps, and focused actions, the final step to achieving your breakthrough is to ensure that the new you is sustainable.
Step 4: Create your own “self-sustaining” drive
Most breakthroughs occur repeatedly in the form of a continuous sequence of breakthroughs. Therefore, fostering a propensity for "self-sustainable" growth is imperative. To achieve the breakthrough you want, you will encounter new difficulties and obstacles that call for the same approach and aggressive strategies. Breakthroughs require consistent input over time to ensure stability. If not, you might make some progress, but you might also regress. Having willpower will not be enough; you will need a system that supports and fuels your momentum. Here comes the importance of having what is called a “self-sustaining” drive. This drive consists of two factors: Motivation and habits.
Motivation arises as a result of continuous growth and progress in your achievements. The higher your growth rate, the more motivated you become to continue growing. Habits are routines that help you generate momentum automatically. You can create a “growth loop” using habits that consolidate your growth. So, always incorporate a feedback loop to make you aware of your progress, which can solidify your growth.
Start by identifying the seven fundamental habits that will help you consolidate your growth, and include them in your daily schedule. Keep a close eye on your daily or weekly progress to maintain your momentum. A month should pass before you notice any real changes. You will be able to monitor the milestones reached and the advancement made toward your opportunity statement—the ultimate goal you set out to accomplish—in no less than two to three months.
Repeat These Steps and Grow
You can use the four steps of the breakthrough framework I've outlined whenever you encounter any obstacle or restriction, no matter the situation you find yourself in. Mastering the seven essential skills will allow you to effectively implement each step of this framework. These skills give you a deep understanding of what needs to be done to achieve the desired results.
Breakthrough does not come all at once. You might overcome a setback today but face a new challenge in 3 months. This is expected because it is well known that taking on challenges that are more difficult than you have faced in the past pushes you up the progression ladder.
Using our breakthrough framework and seven habits, you can break free from your current restrictions and start pursuing goals that truly matter to you without taking risks or sacrificing your current responsibilities.
It's time to see a breakthrough, so stop being stagnant!
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