Level-up? Yes, please! 📈❗

We all want to be the next level versions of ourselves, and I'm sure almost no one truly believes they are already there. Now that I think about it, maybe it's just an imaginary state to begin with... Let’s dive in, shall we?

Today’s word count: 843

Estimated read time: 5 min 14 sec.

Quote 1:

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."

- Bruce Lee (martial artist, actor, philosopher)

Wise Bruce Lee reminds us that limits are rarely real — they are habits of thought. The moment you accept a limitation, it silently spreads into every part of your life, holding you back from growth. But if you recognize that what feels like a limit is actually just a plateau, you unlock the possibility of the next level. Growth starts when you decide not to settle, but to push beyond, again and again.

Going to the next level isn't about avoiding obstacles, it's about seeing them differently. That what looks like a "limit" is often just a temporary stopping point — a plateau. Many people camp on these plateaus, never realizing they could climb higher. Progress demands we reject the illusion of limits and instead embrace the challenge of going further. Every next level is just beyond the line we once thought was the finish.

Quote 2:

"There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

- Nelson Mandela (freedom fighter, president, peacemaker)

Looking at what Nelson Mandela accomplished in his lifetime, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of these words. However, I invite you to take a few steps back and observe the message for what it is — a timeless reminder — and see how you can apply it to your own life. The call not to "play small" is intentionally personal. The concept of small is yours to define, based on your own story and circumstances. Identify what playing small means for you, step over that boundary, and allow yourself to experience life in its full beauty — vibrant, meaningful, and passionate.

Mandela’s words are not just for world leaders or heroes. They are for anyone standing at the edge of their next level. Whether it’s taking on a new challenge, breaking an old habit, or daring to dream bigger, passion comes alive when we stop limiting ourselves. The next step might be uncomfortable, but it's also where the magic begins.

Quote 3:

"Energy and persistence conquer all things."

- Benjamin Franklin (inventor, statesman, philosopher)

I would like to do a little thought experiment with you right now…

Think about the most productive you have ever been. Even better — think about what your 10 out of 10 effort would look like. How would you behave? When would you get up and start your day? How would you spend your free time? What could you realistically accomplish with that level of effort?

Now, take that 10 out of 10 — and imagine what your life would actually look like if you pushed it from 10 to 15 on the effort scale. How would your life look then? Where would you be? What would you be doing?

And now, finally, imagine you are at 20 on that scale! What kind of person are you at this point? How do you behave and act? How do you spend your time? What are you capable of?

What this exercise does is help us realize just how much upward potential we actually have. How much we could change and improve once we break down the imaginary limitations we project onto our work, our relationships, our lives — and ultimately — our goals. Now that you know what level 20 could look like, suddenly level 10 doesn’t feel so hard anymore. You’re welcome 😉

If you can change to that next level today, what would it be?

Love you, Igor