“What do you expect from someone who just inherited this mess?”
“What do you expect from someone who doesn’t have decision-making power?”
“What do you expect from someone with Asperger’s?”
I’ve heard some version of these excuses many times in my career. Sometimes from managers or coworkers, and definitely from myself.
It’s an easy way to dodge accountability when things aren’t going your way. You focus on the circumstances rather than your choices.
Yes, your background, your education, or your limited authority all influence your starting point. But they don’t have to control what happens next.
One of the most powerful statements you can make to transform these types of conversations is:
👉 “The question isn’t what do I expect of you. It’s what do you expect of yourself?”
Because, ultimately, that’s where progress starts. Not with external validation but with internal expectations.
I get it. Context matters, and constraints are real. But if you’re not careful, those constraints turn into identity.
I’m not asking people to perform miracles. I’m asking them to take ownership, and I’m willing to give people time, support, and feedback to assist them in any way I can.
💡 Your circumstances may shape your story, but they don’t define your potential. Just like the fact that I have Asperger’s puts me at a social disadvantage, it doesn’t need to stop me from learning how to properly support others when they struggle.
What’s a limitation you used to believe in but moved past in your life?
References: Berne E. Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships. Vol 2768. Penguin Uk; 1968.
Post Title: Your circumstances may shape your story, but they don’t define your potential.
Transforming Limitations: Embrace Your True Potential
