Actions start with thoughts. Other than automatic responses, like breathing, all actions start with out thoughts. So what do we think about all day? It can be very interesting and self-revealing to actually listen to your own thoughts throughout the day. Walk around and listen to what you say about people, about life, about the circumstances and situations you find yourself in. Do you think positively? Do you see yourself as being capable and able to meet challenges and overcome them? Do you criticize yourself all day? Do you worry about what people are thinking of you? It can be very self-revealing to understand what we think about ourselves. If we find that we don't like what we think of ourselves and the way we face the world, then we need to change our thinking.

To eliminate the tendency to set mental limits, we need to change the way we see ourselves. We need to believe that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. We need to believe that the sky really is the limit. We owe it to ourselves to really explore our own skills and strengths and give ourselves the ability to shine. Whatever it is that we want to accomplish, we need to set our minds to it and change our thoughts to reflect our belief that we can do it. We need to stop asking how to eliminate the tendency to set mental limits and change our tendency by changing our thoughts first.

2. Actions

Once we have altered our thoughts, changing our actions comes next. It is often said that nothing worth achieving ever came easy, and it is probably true. We have to be willing to work hard to accomplish what we want. If a person really wants to change their tendency to set mental limits, they need to bring their actions around to focus on that goal.

For example, once a person starts to pay attention to their thinking, maybe they find that they are constantly criticizing or demeaning themselves all day long. Maybe they are constantly telling themselves that they are stupid, or ugly, or that they can't do anything right. Being determined to change that pattern of thinking is the first step. The second step is where actions come in. The person needs to take action against negative thought processes. They can decide that every time these negative thoughts come into their minds they will do something. Here are a few suggestions about what action a person can take to change thoughts:
1. Sing a song to change thought patterns away from self-negativity
2. List 5 accomplishments
3. Name 3 talents
4. Count 10 reasons why you are worthwhile

This is a simple example of the way a person can decide to take action to make changes. These actions really would help a person change their pattern of negative thinking. Taking action against unproductive and detrimental thought processes can really help a person eliminate the tendency to set mental limits on their abilities.

It really is true that people can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. Unfortunately, many people tend to set their sights low. Eliminating the tendency to set mental limits can help people accomplish much more. People need to listen to their thoughts and change them to reflect their ability to really reach their goals. After listening to and changing thoughts, people need to change their actions. These two things focused on the same goal can help people understand how to eliminate the tendency to set mental limits.