During a recent workout, my go-to YouTube trainer Sydney (yes, we’re on a first-name basis in my house) shared something that really stuck with me. She said: “The dumbbell weight you choose for any given exercise is based on your perceived strength — but when you push yourself and try a heavier weight, you can discover your true strength.”

It hit me immediately: this isn’t just about weights. It’s about how we show up in the world — especially in driving social change. How often do we limit ourselves based on what we think we can do, instead of discovering what we’re actually capable of?

This idea is backed up by research. Psychologist Albert Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory demonstrates that our beliefs about our own abilities shape what we even attempt to do. When we believe we’re capable, we’re more likely to act. When we believe we’re not, we hold back… and never get the chance to find out what we could have done.

In my upcoming book (out this March!), I share more about Bandura’s research and how it applies to changemakers. One of my favorite insights from his work is that belief in your own power to drive change isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you can build.

You do it by setting and achieving goals. By seeing others succeed. By surrounding yourself with people who cheer you on. And by taking ownership of your story.

This belief — in yourself, in your team, and in your mission — isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a practice. One that helps uncover your true strength — the kind that only emerges when you step beyond the limits you thought were there.

In social change, the work is urgent — and the obstacles are real. So when it comes to goal-setting or making tough calls, we often default to what feels safe. We overestimate the difficulty of the path ahead – and underestimate our ability to meet the moment.

That’s where the gap between perceived strength and true strength shows up.

We might:

Set smaller goals to avoid potential failure.
Say no to an opportunity that feels like a stretch.
Stick with strategies we’ve outgrown because they’re familiar.
Avoid bold experiments out of fear it might not work.

But the truth is — these challenges might be manageable. Even winnable. Especially with the right mindset and support around us.

Psychologist Carol Dweck calls this the growth mindset — the belief that abilities aren’t fixed, but develop through effort, learning, and practice. When people and organizations embrace that idea, they’re more likely to take risks, try something new, and adapt when things don’t go as planned. And that’s exactly what social change demands.

When we lead from a growth mindset — and from our true strength — our choices shift. We stop asking, “What’s realistic based on what I think I can do?” and start asking, “What would I do if I believed in my full capacity?”

That shift doesn’t happen overnight. But it does start with noticing when our perception is holding us back — and deciding not to let it define what’s possible.

Moving beyond perceived strength and tapping into true strength doesn’t happen all at once. It takes intentional, consistent practice. The good news is that the habits that build this belief are within reach.

Here are four practices that help individuals and teams shift from perceived limitations to lived strength:

Challenge Self-Doubt with Evidence
We tend to forget just how much we’ve already accomplished — especially when we’re facing something new.
→ Action: Keep a success journal or “wins log” that captures even the smallest victories.
→ Why it matters: Reflecting on real outcomes helps shift your belief from “I hope I can” to “I know I can.”
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
You don’t have to do this alone. In fact, you shouldn’t.
→ Action: Invest in relationships with mentors, collaborators, or communities who reflect your potential back to you — especially when you can’t see it for yourself.
→ Why it matters: Encouragement from people who believe in your vision can powerfully reinforce your own belief and resilience.
Visualize Success Regularly
The first step to creating change is imagining it.
→ Action: Take time to picture what success looks like — for your work, your mission, your team. Make it specific and bold.
→ Why it matters: Visualization isn’t wishful thinking — it’s training your brain to notice opportunities and build momentum toward a goal.
Reframe Setbacks as Learning Opportunities
Failure isn’t the opposite of strength — it’s part of how we build it.
→ Action: When something doesn’t go as planned, ask: What is this teaching me? What will I try differently next time?
→ Why it matters: The more we normalize setbacks, the more we free ourselves to take the risks that lead to real impact.

True strength isn’t found in perfection, it’s built through practice. And these practices, repeated over time, shift what we believe is possible. Not just for ourselves, but for the people and movements we serve.

Can You Go Heavier?

Is it over now?