My arms trembled with each repetition (rep); the barbell felt like it had doubled in weight since the first round, and my lungs couldn’t pull in air fast enough. I still had seven or eight reps to go, but I was done; completely convinced I had nothing left.
Then the people who’d already finished gathered around and started shouting my name, clapping, and encouraging me forward with their voices. Somehow, impossibly, I cranked out those final reps. When I collapsed on the floor afterward, I wasn’t just exhausted. I was stunned, I didn’t think I could do it.
That CrossFit workout happened years ago (not sure I could do it now!😊) and taught me something I still lean on constantly; you can handle a little more than you think you can. I’m not suggesting you should intentionally grind yourself into the ground. This is about recognizing that the moment you think you’ve hit your limit is often the moment before you discover what you’re capable of. Our minds are designed to protect us from discomfort, to convince us to stop before things get too hard. That’s useful when you’re truly in danger, but most of the time we aren’t. We’ve just reached the edge of what feels comfortable, and growth lives just beyond that edge.
A few weeks ago, I was talking with a friend in one of those seasons where everything piles up: tight deadlines, family responsibilities, unexpected problems. He looked exhausted. “I don’t know how much more I can take,” he said. I recognized that feeling immediately. We’ve all been there, staring at our plates and wondering how we’ll possibly clear them. But here’s what I’ve learned: whether it’s business, parenting, health, or personal growth, most of us underestimate our capacity. The breaking point we imagine is usually further away than we think it is.
That said, this doesn’t mean you should ignore legitimate exhaustion or burn yourself out chasing some mythical version of strength. Sometimes the wisest thing you can do is rest, delegate, or admit you need help. Knowing the difference between “I’m uncomfortable” and “I’m genuinely depleted” is crucial. But if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll notice that most of the time when you want to quit, you’re not empty. You’re just tired of being uncomfortable.
The next time you feel like you’ve got nothing left, pause. Take one more breath, move one more step, and check in with yourself to see how you feel. You might discover you’re closer to a breakthrough than a breakdown.
My friend? He didn’t quit. He found his own version of those last seven reps. A few weeks later, he told me he was surprised by how much he’d been able to handle. Turns out, he had more in him than he thought, too.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi
We’ve all had those moments where we thought we were at our limit, only to surprise ourselves. When was that moment for you? I’d love to hear your story, or feel free to pass this along to someone who might need the reminder.
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay