This past weekend, I found myself reflecting deeply on life as I revisited a course called the Landmark Forum. Back in 2016, this program completely transformed my experience of being alive. It was like stepping out of a shadow and into a vivid, technicolor version of life where everything seemed possible. Yet, as I reviewed the course content again, I realized something profound—I had, somewhere along the way, slipped back into being someone who lives with reasons and considerations.
It’s fascinating, isn’t it? As human beings, we are meaning-making machines. We justify, rationalize, and explain our lives into existence with stories and reasons. And while this capacity makes us wonderfully complex and resilient, it can also tether us to inaction and complacency.
When I took the Landmark Forum eight years ago, I stepped into the possibility of living a life by design—a life beyond the constraints of my reasons. But recently, I saw how I had quietly allowed myself to become "reasonable" again. The impact of this was living a someday life, where my commitments became ideas for the future rather than actions in the present.
The Subtle Power of Reasons
Reasons are sneaky. They show up as logical justifications like:
“I don’t have enough time.”
“I’m too tired.”
“It’s not the right moment.”
“What if I fail?”
They often seem valid, even protective, and can feel especially overwhelming when tied to tangible concerns like lack of money or resources. For example:
“I can’t afford to pursue that dream.”
“I don’t have the right tools, education, or connections.”
Other times, reasons are rooted in limiting beliefs—deep-seated ideas about what’s possible for us:
“I’m not good enough to succeed at this.”
“People like me don’t achieve things like that.”
“It’s too late for me to start something new.”
These beliefs, though often unspoken, can quietly dictate our lives, keeping us stuck in the same patterns and preventing us from stepping into new possibilities.
Rediscovering Life Beyond Reasons
In reviewing the Landmark Forum, I was reminded of the person I became in 2016: someone who wasn’t stopped by reasons. I was reminded of the freedom, power, and joy that comes with living a created life, one where my commitments guide me—not my circumstances, excuses, or beliefs.
To live beyond reasons is to know yourself as a person who chooses and creates, not one who waits and reacts. It’s not about ignoring challenges or pretending life is easy. It’s about refusing to let those challenges dictate your actions.
Actions to Take When Reasons Stop You
If you find yourself living a "reasonable" life, here are three actions you can take to reclaim your power:
Interrupt the Pattern
When you catch yourself rationalizing why you can’t or shouldn’t do something, stop. Literally say to yourself, “That’s just a reason.” This creates the space to choose differently.
Challenge Limiting Beliefs
Ask yourself, “Is this belief objectively true, or is it just a story I’ve been telling myself?” Often, limiting beliefs are based on past experiences or inherited ideas that no longer serve us. Write down a new, empowering belief to replace the old one.
Reconnect to Your Commitments
Ask yourself, “What am I committed to in this area of my life?” Whether it’s building a career, nurturing a relationship, or pursuing a passion, let your commitments—not your reasons—guide you.
Take One Bold Action
Take one action, no matter how small, that moves you toward your goal. Even a single step breaks the inertia of inaction and reminds you that you are capable of moving forward.
Common Reasons That Stop Us
Here are some of the most common reasons we use to hold ourselves back:
Fear of Failure: “What if I try and it doesn’t work?”
Perfectionism: “I’m not ready yet; it’s not good enough.”
Comparison: “Others are already doing it better than I could.”
Comfort Zone: “I don’t need to push myself right now.”
Lack of Resources: “I don’t have enough money, time, or connections.”
Limiting Beliefs: “I’m not capable,” or “It’s too late for me.”
Recognize any of these in your own life? You’re not alone. These reasons are universal, but they don’t have to control you.
The Freedom Beyond Reasons
Living beyond reasons is an act of courage. It’s about declaring who you are and what you stand for, regardless of how it feels or what others think. It’s about being unreasonable in the best way possible—daring to take action simply because you’ve chosen to.
As I move forward, recommitted to living a created life, I invite you to join me in this inquiry. What could life look like if you stopped allowing reasons to stop you? What might you create, experience, or accomplish if you lived as someone unstoppable?
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