Learning to Embrace Our Limitations

This thought originally appeared in our weekly newsletter 5 Things in 5 Minutes.

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I have this phrase written on a pink sticky note in my office: Maturity is learning to embrace your limitations with joy.

I’ve noticed some people refuse to admit they have limitations. They can’t bring themselves to admit it, either out of an inability to face reality, stubbornness, or shame. I call these people delusional denialists. 

And there are people who accept their limitations. They see it, feel it, and complain about it. But as a result, they become angry and resentful – and it emanates from their personalities and they remain immature. These are cynical curmudgeons.

And then there are people who accept their limitations with a lightness in their spirit. They realize they can’t do what they want to do (or can’t do it anymore), but it doesn’t faze them. They understand limitations are a part of life. Instead of denying it, or becoming angry or resentful, they embrace it and learn from it. It’s refreshing to be around these kinds of people. I call them joyful self-differentiators. 

Whatever our particular limitations might be, we don’t have to let our circumstances dictate our level of joy. May our leadership be marked by joyful self-differentiation.