#MIDDLEBURY
Insights for constructive living
by Pat Iannuzzi
For success in any undertaking, usually four or five critical factors must be mastered. Proficiency in only one or two factors generally will not do it. True momentous achievement requires a high level of proficiency in all of the critical success factors that are key to a particular endeavor. However, while few of us generally achieve or strive to achieve such a high level of performance, many of us are, nonetheless, held back because we are deficient in at least one of these important areas.
We call this our limiting factor because it can have the power to truly limit our potential. It is that one element on the road to success that is likely to be our biggest stumbling block, and it generally is also the one that, if effectively overcome, can be the single biggest contributing factor to our success. It’s like an automobile with a flat tire. Even if everything else on the car works perfectly, it isn’t likely to go very far until the flat is fixed.
The nature of a person’s limiting factor can take a multitude of forms. It can be a particular skill that is lacking or it can be a flaw in character or personality that gets in the way of accomplishment. The fact is that most everyone encounters some personal obstacle in life that can hinder success in some way. However, if that obstacle can be clearly identified and described, steps can be taken to find strategies to overcome it.
Awareness is the key. If, for example, you know that you lack patience in dealing with others and recognize that this is hurting you significantly, you can proactively take appropriate steps to overcome this limiting factor. Unless you can identify and effectively define a limiting factor, you will be oblivious to the fact that it is holding you back and won’t be in any position to do anything about it. This is why we should always be receptive to feedback and continually seek it out.
But developing awareness of our limiting factor(s) isn’t easy. Sometimes we just can’t assess ourselves objectively enough to draw accurate conclusions upon which to take action, or we subconsciously ignore a limiting factor because it is just too unpleasant to recognize and deal with. One effective approach for identifying a limiting factor is to use sentence completion exercises such as those advocated by noted psychologist Nathanial Branden. Here are some examples:
- “I became angry with _________ because …”
- “I am not earning the higher level of income I desire because …”
- “I didn’t get the promotion I wanted because …”
- “I am feeling frustrated in my work because …”
- “I cannot achieve my goal because …”
Such an exercise may help surface a limiting factor that might otherwise remain hidden.
Once you are able to identify a limiting factor, you will be in a much better position to take decisive action toward attracting abundance into your life. Recognizing and understanding our limiting factors is essential for productive living. We ignore them at our peril.
Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiont Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.
