What’s Holding You Back? Spoiler: It’s Not Resources.
What’s Holding You Back? Spoiler: It’s Not Resources.
Here’s what I know after decades of working with extraordinarily talented, driven people: the biggest obstacle between you and your next extraordinary achievement isn’t a lack of resources—it’s a lack of resourcefulness.
If you live in the West—especially in the U.S.—you are surrounded by unprecedented access to opportunity. Never in human history have more resources been so readily available. You’ve got the credentials, the network, and a solid track record. So why does it sometimes feel like there’s a ceiling, an invisible barrier you can’t quite name?
What’s Really Holding You Back:
Meet the Illusion of Limited Resources (ILR). It’s a subtle thief that convinces you the next big leap in your career or life is on hold until you get more—more budget, more time, more support. But here’s the truth: extraordinary work almost never comes from perfect conditions.
That little voice saying, “If I only had more resources, I’d do X,” is ILR whispering in your ear. It’s convincing, isn’t it? It offers you an excuse to delay the uncomfortable, to stay where it’s safe just a little longer.
The thing is, ILR thrives where possibility is close—it’s ambition’s annoying twin, always waiting to convince you that the stars need to align before you can act.
But let’s be honest: when has anything truly extraordinary in your career—or life—ever happened under perfect circumstances? The best projects, the game-changing moments, the stories you tell over dinner—they’re the ones where you turned less into more.
Four Steps to Outsmart ILR:
If you want to break free from ILR and start seeing opportunity in unexpected places, here’s where to focus:
1. Audit Your Excuses
Write down every reason why you think you can’t take the next step. Then ask, “Is this actually true, or is it an unchallenged assumption?” Most excuses don’t hold up under scrutiny.
2. Mine Your Hidden Gold
Take stock of overlooked resources. Maybe it’s a skill you haven’t leveraged, a team member with untapped potential, or even your ability to think on your feet. There’s more within reach than you think.
3. Flip Constraints Into Creative Catalysts
Some of your best ideas likely came when the stakes were high and resources were tight. That’s no coincidence—constraints drive innovation. Reframe your limitations as opportunities to create something exceptional.
4. Focus on Outcomes, Not Inputs
Stop waiting for perfect conditions. Instead, zero in on the result you’re chasing. What’s the most direct way to get there with what you already have? That’s where you start.
A Challenge to See What’s Possible:
The good news? You’ve already proven you can do this. Think back to your most challenging career wins—the deal you landed, the impossible project you pulled off, the team you led through chaos. You didn’t wait for perfect conditions. You found a way.
The question isn’t “Do I have enough?” The real question is, “What’s the best move with what I already have?”
I share more about this mindset in my Little Book of Big Reasons to Love America series, including personal stories of navigating scarcity and discovering what’s truly possible when you reframe limitations.
What’s Next:
If ILR has been whispering in your ear, it’s time to drown it out. On February 5th at noon CST, I’m hosting a free webinar: Recalibrating, Reinventing, and Making the Career Leap You’ve Been Waiting For.
In this session, I’ll share:
• Real stories of professionals who recalibrated their skills and value, creating breakthroughs in ways they didn’t think possible.
• How to uncover overlooked strengths and leverage them to create more value—and, therefore, more opportunity.
• A framework for identifying what’s holding you back and how to move forward with clarity and confidence.
If you haven’t become a paid subscriber yet. Would you consider joining the club?
You’ll get a signed copy of my book, exclusive content every week we’ll continue heaping all kinds of goodies to thank you and express our gratitude for your support of the work we do! Are you in?