In arguably the turning point of the inspirational Facing the Giants movie (see the video clip at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ), the coach asks the captain of his football team, Brock, to do the death crawl on the field. Brock had resigned himself to losing the next football match, so the coach wanted to show him that he can actually triumph in “facing the giants” if he only kept going and doing his best.

He made Brock crawl blindfolded across the field with a teammate on his back. There are times when Brock wanted to rest or stop, but the coach kept up a stream of positive talk and encouragement until Brock reached the end.

When Brock realized he had actually crossed the entire field, his self-concept and his belief about his team changed forever. He had faced his giants and defeated them; he’s now ready to win over the next.

Like Brock, you may have found yourself pitted against giants that stand in the way between you and your dream. Surprisingly, these are giants you have either created yourself or allowed others to create for you. There are basically three giants you have to defeat to achieve your dreams.

1. Facing the Giants of Perceived Limitations.

In doing the death crawl, Brock felt he could only do 20 yards. The coach blindfolded him so that he would not stop when he believed he had gone far enough. Finally, when he had the chance to look, he realized he had actually crawled 100 yards across the entire field! He would have never done it had he allowed himself to stop based on his perceived limits.

Also, being used to defeat, Brock felt his team would lose the next match. Even before the opponent team played with his, they had already defeated Brock’s team in his mind. In being programmed for defeat, Brock is setting his team up for it. But after doing the death crawl, he was to change his whole attitude.

Have you set limits for yourself that you don’t even try to reach for your dreams because of these? At some point in your life, have you told yourself any of the following?

“I can’t do it.”

“I’m not really good at .”

“I am too young / old to do this.”

“It’s no use trying. I won’t get it anyway.”

“I’ll never get that .”

“It has always been like this.”

Sound familiar? You are not alone in this thinking.

But do you know what successful people do? They do not set limits for themselves. At some point, they may have thought any of the things mentioned above, but they are quick to replace it with a positive thought. In setting no limits and expecting only the best, they reach their dreams – sometimes, something even better!

So here’s the secret – you have no limits. Whatever you want, you can get. Facing the giants of life can be easy if you have the right mindset and attitude.

2. Facing the Giants of Disbelief.

This is related to your perceived limitations. But this is more along the lines of thinking “it’s too good to come true” or “it’s too ideal to happen.”

In the movie, Brock couldn’t believe that his team could actually win. But when he and his teammates got rid of this thinking, they were ready for great things to happen.

This is the secret – if you can’t believe the best will happen, then it probably won’t. But if you believe the best will happen, it probably will. Yes, it is that simple. So, expect and work for the best and nothing less!

3. Facing the Giants of Fear.

Of all the giants, this is probably the most powerful – and most paralyzing. Fear clouds the mind and twists perception. Fear makes the dark darker, the cold colder, the big bigger, and the small a giant. In succumbing to your fear, you actually give power to the person or situation you are afraid of.

To put fear in the right perspective, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen gave a very good definition of it:

Fantasized

Experiences

Appearing

Real

Yes, your fear is no more than fantasized experiences. The reality may be totally different if only you try. What’s the worst that could actually happen? Probably less serious than you think.

If for example, you are afraid to ask your boss for a raise, you probably think your boss believes you are too full of it and will tell you off. Worse, you can even get fired. But if you believe your performance merits a raise, why should you be afraid? You just might get it if you only ask. And even if you don’t, you will know the areas you have to improve on to get it next time.

Fear is actually normal, but don’t let it conquer you. Keep your mind clear. And though you fear, do it anyway – and be amazed with the results.

Facing the giants of perceived limits, fear and disbelief may not be easy at first; but placed in the right perspective, you may be surprised to know they are not giants after all – it is only you who gives them that power. Once you see how small they really are, you can easily triumph and achieve your goals in life.