How do you decide your limits and draw the line? How do you know whether you are capable of a task or not?

Answer 1

Generally from past experience. For instance, I'm currently incapable of playing sports, and becoming able to do so would require more exercise and better vision. (That and not being so damn clumsy. :P) Fixing a car would likewise require me to learn about car parts and stuff.

However, if it's something you've experienced something similar to, often you can go out on a limb and try something you didn't think you could do, and actually succeed. I didn't think I could write regularly enough to get 50k words written in a month, but I managed it. Also, after playing the keyboard for 20 years or so, I'd be willing to try to play other instruments and see how it worked out. (Guitar's out, I've tried that and failed miserably. But that doesn't mean I couldn't manage to play some other instrument.)

(Ok, that was a really boring anal answer. But I suppose philosophy textbooks are boring and anal too. :P)

Answer 2

Ew cool, a mad scientist! We don't always know what tasks we're capable of doing without giving them our best. Of course, using our logical minds we can rule several out without trying them. If someone asked me to bench press 2000 pounds I know without trying that it's beyond my abilities. But, say, something like a management position, give it a try to do your best and learn from it whether or not you find yourself as capable as you'd hoped. Deciding on limits and drawing the line varies from day to day IMO and depending on the situation in which you have in mind. Some days we feel strong enough to take on the world. Other days we'd be better off contemplating nature's symbiotic relationships from under a shade tree.

Answer 3

I think you are capable of anything you want to be as long as you want it bad enough. The human mind is a strange piece of equipment. It only knows what you tell it.

I don't think you decide your limits and draw the line any where. I have discovered that if you leave it up to fate (or God) , whichever you believe in, it takes care of itself. In the past I have been in situations where I could not take any more or think any more. I just threw up my hands and said, "somebody take over, I am done and can't deal with it any longer." (O.K. I said God, but I realize not all people do) At any rate, something happened and I had no idea where it came from.............

Good Luck.............

I wanted to add, these situations were not things like where to go to dinner. They were major life events..Give it a chance.

Answer 4

This can be a double edged sword...If you limit yourself too much...it can handicap your potential... but if you don't have limits..you could continuously fail. The clue I believe is knowledge of yourself...and if you have shortcomings that prohibit you from reaching a goal..then reroute your goal to meet your needs or remedy your shortcomings through knowledge or partnership... The only time I draw the line is if the results of trying to accomplish something could result in danger,stupidity,hurting someone, or death..

Answer 5

I try something first. In fact I try as many different things as I can. Us humans have surprising super-powers, if you have the courage to test them out. However you have to pick your spots, in some things you don't get a second chance.

Generally I like the saying: How do you know what's enough until you know what's too much?

My dear friend Charles always adds: How do you know what's too much until you know what's much too much?

Then again there's ol Oscar Wilde's take on it all: "Too much is never enough"

Answer 6

task : a piece of work to be done. wanting to do it is the question, as long as the want is there, then capability is there. when you can physically no longer endure a task, that should be your limit.

Answer 7

You base it on past experience of times where you multitaked and decide if you are willing to put yourself through that kind of h3!! again. If you are, then go for it. Some people find they work well under pressure, others find it drives them to the brink of sanity, but you know yourself better than others.

Answer 8

Testing

Answer 9

Measure twice and cut once or boldy go where no man has gone before, it depends on your situation and you relative experience with your situation. Another thought, when you eliminate the possible, the impossible becomes probable.

Answer 10

you have to just try it... there are lots of ways to test yourself with a safety net before doing the task without backup on your own.