Ok, so I’m reading “Self Matters” by Dr. Phil. Yeah I know, it sounds corny but there are some interesting ideas in it. He discusses the way the things we have come to believe (about ourselves) can limit our development.

A funny analogy was about scientists putting fleas in a jar. Now these fleas that are capable of tremendous leaps would jump and keep banging against the lid of the jar. Eventually they stopped their jumps a half inch below the lid. They had “learnt” their lesson and the result was that even after the lid was removed the fleas kept their jumps to a half inch below where they believed the limit was.

Sounds a little ridiculous but it is something you see in people all the time. Having told themselves that they can’t do something because they aren’t smart/pretty/talented enough, they hold themselves back forever after. Even if it is based on one comment made by someone else when they were five.

Definitely gave me stuff to think about. I was able to start identifying what he calls “defining moments” in my life (moments that changed your self-concept). Some of them I have managed to move past but there are a few that I realize are still blocking certain paths for me. It’s interesting how you can believe things about yourself without even realizing.