Why We Hold Ourselves Back and How to Change Our Mindset for Career and Personal Growth

Why We Hold Ourselves Back and How to Change Our Mindset for Career and Personal Growth

It’s often said that the greatest obstacle to achieving the life or career we want is ourselves. That might sound harsh, but when you dig deeper, the truth becomes clear: it’s not lack of talent, opportunities, or resources that holds us back—it’s our mindset.

Mark Goode believes that mindset and attitude far outweigh talent alone. A person with limited skill but an exceptional mindset can achieve far more than someone with natural talent and a poor attitude. It’s not about what you can do today—it’s about who you’re willing to become and the steps you take to evolve.

Let’s explore why we hold ourselves back and how to break free of those self-imposed limits.

Why Mindset Matters More Than Talent

1. Self-Doubt Sabotages Success: If you constantly doubt your abilities or question your worth, you’ll hesitate to take risks or embrace new opportunities. This hesitation can paralyse your progress, no matter how talented you are.

2. Fear of Failure Blocks Growth: Many people avoid taking steps forward because they’re afraid of making mistakes or falling short. But failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the journey.

3. Limiting Beliefs Become Reality: If you believe you’re not good enough, that belief will reflect in your actions. Limiting beliefs act like invisible barriers that prevent you from reaching your potential.

Shifting Your Mindset: Key Lessons to Embrace

Drawing inspiration from "Winning the War in Your Mind" by Craig Groeschel and my own experiences, here are the key lessons that will help you transform your thinking and your career:

1. Recognise the Power of Your Thoughts

Your thoughts shape your reality. Negative thinking will manifest negative results. To move forward, you must monitor your inner dialogue and challenge any thoughts that undermine your confidence or potential.

Tip: Write down negative beliefs about yourself and question their validity. Are they based on fact or fear? Replace them with empowering truths.

2. Rewire Your Brain with Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations aren’t just motivational fluff—they help reprogramme your brain. Repeating empowering truths regularly helps you build new mental habits that align with the person you want to become.

Tip: Create affirmations like, “I am capable of success,” or “I learn and grow from every challenge,” and repeat them daily.

3. Take Control of Toxic Thoughts

Toxic thoughts—like fear, jealousy, or self-doubt—can spiral out of control if left unchecked. The key is to catch them early, challenge them, and replace them with constructive thoughts.

Tip: When negative thoughts arise, ask yourself: “Does this thought help me, or does it hold me back?” If it holds you back, let it go.

4. Focus on Possibilities, Not Problems

A fixed mindset focuses on obstacles; a growth mindset focuses on possibilities. Shifting your perspective from “I can’t do this” to “How can I do this?” opens doors to solutions and opportunities.

Tip: When facing a challenge, list all the potential ways you could approach it, no matter how small or unconventional.

5. Don’t Let Your Past Define Your Future

Your past failures or mistakes don’t have to dictate your future. Use them as lessons, not limits. What matters most is your ability to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Tip: Write down one failure from your past, what you learned from it, and how it made you stronger.

6. Build Resilience Through Gratitude and Mindfulness

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about building strength to handle future challenges. Gratitude and mindfulness are powerful tools to help you stay grounded and positive.

Tip: Start or end your day by listing three things you’re grateful for. This simple act trains your brain to focus on the good, even during tough times.

7. Be Proactive About Growth

Career and personal growth don’t happen by accident. You need to take deliberate steps to improve your mindset, skills, and habits.

Tip: Set a small goal each week to work on something that challenges you, whether it’s public speaking, time management, or networking.

Mark Goode’s Belief: Talent Alone Isn’t Enough

Mark has seen it countless times in his career—people with immense talent but the wrong mindset fail to reach their potential, while others with average ability but a strong mindset achieve incredible success. Why? Because the way you think determines how you act.

Here’s why mindset is more valuable than talent:

• Talent without action leads nowhere. A poor mindset stifles ambition and breeds complacency.

• Mindset drives resilience. Talent won’t protect you from setbacks, but a strong mindset will.

• Mindset creates opportunities. People with a growth mindset see challenges as chances to improve, whereas those with fixed mindsets shy away from them.

Final Thoughts: The Key to Unlocking Your Potential

If you want to evolve into the person you aspire to be and achieve the career you dream of, start with your mindset. It’s not easy—rewiring your thinking takes time and effort. But the rewards are life-changing.

Ask yourself:

• What beliefs are holding me back right now?

• How can I replace those beliefs with ones that empower me?

• What one mindset shift can I make today that will move me closer to my goals?

Your mind is your most powerful tool. Use it wisely, and you’ll realise that the life and career you want are within your grasp. The only question is: are you ready to win the war in your mind?

 Mark Goode

CEO Inspired Recruitment

Mark Goode is the CEO of The Inspired Recruitment Group which originated with the inception of Inspired Selections a recruitment agency primarily focused on recruitment in the optical industry before branching out into audiology and pharmaceutical recruitment. New optical opportunities are featured daily here or if you're a business, looking for help with your recruitment needs, get in touch here