Master Your Limitations with Archetypes

You can master your limitations with archetypes. It’s about learning to transform them into strengths and opportunities for growth. It’s not about denying or getting rid of your limitations but recognising and accepting them without judgment, with loving kindness, so you can learn how to navigate them effectively.

To do this, identify your limitations with honesty, and then own them. They could be internal such as self-doubt or negative beliefs. They might be external, for example, a lack of resources or time constraints. It’s about embracing your limitations without shame or resistance. Everyone has limitations. They’re part of being human. Then you can start developing strategies to work around, though, or within your limitations. Maybe you need to develop new skills or seek professional help? Or alternatively, you could try collaborating with your archetypes.

Here’s what I mean. Let me tell you about how I tackled one of my biggest limitations. It was the fear of public speaking.

About 25 years ago, I recognised that this fear stemmed from fear of judgment, past negative experiences, and self-doubt. I knew that feeling nervous was natural and that even experienced speakers feel anxious, but I struggled to overcome this limitation, even with plenty of speaking practice. Eventually, after exhausting all options, I turned to the energy of my Sacred Self, and my personal archetypes for assistance.

I learned through my Lover archetype that anxiety and excitement felt the same: a racing heart, sweaty palms, shaking all over, and butterflies. The difference was which side of the story I attached to my physical responses. This is how it played out at the time:

On one hand, my Lover archetype represents the part of me that can be timid, dispassionate, indifferent and distant. This was the Lover’s narrative:

The timid Lover archetype is the part of me that fears public speaking. This archetype wants me to connect with the audience but worries about my message will be rejected. This anxious part of me assumes the audience is indifferent, which fuels a dispassionate tone. The Lover archetype in me feels distant and disconnected. It was convinced that no one cared about what I’m saying.

But.

On the other hand, this archetype is the part of me that is curious, passionate, excited and inspiring. This was the other side of the Lover archetype’s narrative:

Despite my initial nerves, when I tune into the positive side of my Lover archetype, it opens the gate to the energy of my Sacred Self. From there, I can access the highest potential of this archetype. If I approach public speaking with the deep desire to inspire curiosity, my passion shines through, and instead of fear, I feel excited to share and learn. My enthusiasm is genuine and inspiring and creates a real connection with the audience.

To transform the archetypal story, I learnt to reframe the buildup of anxious energy as excitement and to channel the energy into dynamic, inspiring presentations. I began recognising each speaking opportunity as more practice, rather than a performance. I learnt to reflect on each experience to learn and improve.

Now, when I feel nervous before a big moment, I double check that I’m well prepared and then if the answer is yes, then I say to myself, “I’m excited.” If the answer is no, then I know my nerves are telling me I’ve overlooked something important that I need to address. It’s a tiny shift, but tuning into the Lover archetype has transformed how I tend to show up.

To master your limitations, choose the best archetype for each task to help you reframe your limitations as a source of learning and spiritual development rather than as barriers. Brainstorm in equal measure, 10 negative associations and then 10 positive associations for your archetype. This will help you turn your perceived weaknesses into areas of strength. Use your past “failures” as a foundation for wisdom so you can transform a limitation into resilience.