Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life: How to Unlock Your Full Potential for Success and Achievement

THE TRAP OF COMPLACENCY
The second mental condition that holds people back is called the
“comfort zone.” Human beings are creatures of habit. They begin
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an activity of any kind and they soon become comfortable with it.
They then become extremely reluctant to change what they are do-
ing, or change the situation they are in, even if they are not particu-
larly happy or satisfied with it. They become somewhat content and
complacent. Eventually, they become afraid to change, for any rea-
son. They get into a rut, and the longer they stay in their rut, the
deeper it grows, until they finally give up all hope of ever changing
or improving their lives.
Learned helplessness
, in combination with the 
comfort zone
, cre-
ates a person who feels trapped and helpless, weak and powerless,
and unable to take control or to make any real difference in his life.
The individual in this mental state then strives for security rather
than opportunity, and often feels like a victim of circumstances over
which he has no control.
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NO REAL LIMITS
But the reality is that there are no real limits on what you can ac-
complish with your life. Within reason, whatever someone else has
done, you can do as well. The very fact that you can set a clear
goal for yourself means that you probably have the ability to
achieve it. Nature does not give you a burning desire for some-
thing without also equipping you with the talents and abilities you
need to acquire it.
If you think back over your life, you will recall that almost
everything that you ever really wanted long enough and hard
enough you finally achieved. You are not helpless, and you are not
stuck in a rut. Your true potential is limited only by your own
imagination and determination.
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