Imagine you start a new project, and you are full of excitement and nervous energy. “This is the day I finally get my life together,” you tell yourself. You are thrilled for the first few days, but when the energy begins to wane, you find yourself resisting the very goal you longed for.

The nights when you couldn’t sleep as you kept fantasizing about realizing your dream life are exchanged for nights when you can’t sleep because you fear another day without any significant development. And now, you are just afraid to go through another day where you still feel like an underachiever.

Here are three ways to break through these internal roadblocks and start making the most of your potential.

1. Zero In On The Hidden Beliefs Trapping You

Many people chase goals with their foot on the brakes. To change this pattern, find the limiting beliefs holding you back, even when you try your best to push past them. These could be:

• “I will never make ‘x’ amount of money.”

• “I am not a go-getter or a leader.”

• “I don’t deserve good things happening to me.”

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that our self-beliefs aren’t just scattered thoughts; they are layered and form an organized psychological system. The study mapped virtually 100 central self-beliefs and discovered that they group around patterns such as agency, social connection and self-esteem.

That’s the reason a single hidden belief, such as “I’m not the kind of person who succeeds,” tends to reflect a more extensive network of self-doubt. When you name these beliefs, you stop struggling with shadows and start working with the actual blueprint of your mind.

Pay attention to your self-talk and the thoughts that accompany it. When a restricting thought occurs, i.e., “I am not intelligent enough for this,” get curious about that thought and challenge it softly.

Question why you think that way, if it’s connected to any earlier experiences or people who made you feel that way and what evidence you have to support and contradict this thought. If you could alter it, what’s a more helpful thought you would substitute it with?

Every time you overcome a self-sabotaging belief that is preventing you from going forward, substitute it with a positive one. You will instantly begin to feel a change in your thought process and ultimately, in your life.

2. Learn Self-Reflection And Seeking Feedback

Reflecting on your life, including your daily habits, where you spend your time and energy and even the quality of your interactions and relationships, can help you spot common patterns that might be detrimental to your growth. We also tend to possess blind spots that we can’t directly recognize by ourselves, and asking for feedback from well-wishers can help us work through such patterns.

In a 2022 study, almost 1000 adults in the UK were surveyed and the results indicated that participants who scored high on self-reflection usually adopted a range of reflective practices over time, as opposed to waiting for stressful situations to compel reflection.

Researchers also discovered that such individuals tend to employ a mixture of analog and digital tools strategically, such as combining handwritten journals with notes apps on their phone.

These participants were also more spontaneous and adaptable, making use of straightforward strategies to overcome typical hindrances such as distraction or emotional resistance.

Researchers also discovered that men reported more access to and use of technology for self-reflection, including apps or electronic devices. Women were higher overall on self-reflection, indicating they practiced more reflective thinking itself, even if they didn’t rely on technology as much.

The study highlights how self-reflection is less about finding the perfect method and more about building a personal system that makes reflection a regular, adaptive habit. Many people also find prompts and guided self-inquiry helpful. This process can clarify hidden strengths and weaknesses, leading to meaningful action.

Here are some prompts that can help you reflect deeper on what may be stopping you from reaching your full potential:

• “What thoughts or beliefs held me back today?”

• “How did I respond to challenges or setbacks?”

• “What is one small positive change I made today?”

• “How did I practice self-care or nurture my well-being today?”

Over time, through journaling, you will discover many aspects of yourself that you wouldn’t have otherwise, and identify key areas where you can seek professional help or coaching to seek feedback and further work toward realizing your full potential.

3. Commit To A Growth Mindset

In order to reach your full potential, make it a point to commit to a “growth mindset.” This involves having the belief that your abilities and talent can be developed and enhanced and that growth occurs as a result of effort and intention.

A great method to foster this mindset is to streamline your routine for higher levels of focus. Build a schedule that nourishes your mind, body and soul, and choose one “keystone habit” that you can stick to today.

A 2021 study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization looked into the effectiveness of simple daily goal-setting habits, called keystone habits. They recruited almost 700 unemployed participants in Norway and encouraged them to set goals around routine-setting habits like exercise, sleep and avoiding substances.

The researchers found that a year later, those who had set goals were about 7% more likely to get a job compared to those who didn’t receive the intervention. Participants also expressed that they felt better about their lives and gained a stronger sense of control over their future by making simple changes to their routine.

Here’s how you can also build small, helpful habits into your routine:

• Start with something minor that makes you more present, such as meditating for five minutes at eight am every morning. Be specific and maintain this single habit for the next thirty days.

• When you do experience a setback, rephrase it as a lesson learned. This can act as catalyst for creative and productive potential instead of disheartening you.

• Track your progress using a visual aid, something you can keep in your visual field as a steady reminder of your goals and keep you motivated to go through another day.

The journey to realizing your full potential begins with a single intention to change. Start small, stay consistent and keep refining your path as you grow. Over time, you’ll not only see progress but genuinely enjoy the person you’re becoming along the way.

Are your beliefs fueling your growth or quietly holding you back? Take the science-backed Growth Mindset Scale to find out.

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.