Four Daily Tools To Expand Your Capacity

BY: Parisa Rose

As a former elite swimmer standing tall at 5'3", my height most certainly did not add to my competitive edge. My road to achievement was rooted in the idea of learning to "swim big" in a pool where height mattered because of races that were won by hundredths of a second.

I learned how to visualize my body in the water in a way that got the most out of each angle, stroke, and kick. After hundreds and thousands of repetitions, I learned how to move through the water as if I had a six-foot wingspan.

This "swim big" mentality started in the pool but soon spilled onto every area of my life. Outside of the pool, I practice with the same tools because they continue to expand my capacity.

These are the tools that I share with you now, and I encourage you to commit to them to discover the magnificence of your untapped capacity. The first practice is acceptance. Focusing on transmuting what limits expansion, which is resistance, proves to be worth the sweat equity time and time again. This is experienced as accepting all that is found in your environment right now.

Asking these questions can help: How are the relationships within your family? What is the quality of your friendships? What do you see in your bank account?

Regardless of how, why, who is to blame, or what contributed, now is the time to allow all of it to be okay exactly as it is in its current state. Entering into this beautiful experience of acceptance requires releasing the idea that any bit of it could have been any better.

Soften into the idea that you've truly done the best you could have with the tools, resources, and self-awareness available at that time. Soften again, for this also applies to others that have already come to mind. Believe that everything you're witnessing is as perfect as it needs to be for your next level of expansion.

The second practice is about identifying an archetype. Determine the specific characteristics and mindset - an archetype - that will best serve each environment. This exercises intentionality in choosing how you will show up in each setting, which can be done by selecting two or three characteristics, such as being adaptable or confident, to truly embody in that given setting.

This is my power tool because it is incredibly effective at alleviating the feeling of being overwhelmed I sometimes experience. It has trained me to know what hat to wear and when which has deeply influenced my habit of constantly juggling all the hats I wear.

The third practice requires vulnerability. Try to recall the last significant conversation you had that was less than ideal, and as you remember how you communicated in that conversation, think about whether your words were being spoken as a suggestion or a statement.

The key takeaway here resides within the answer because it tells you if you embody the words you speak. While evaluating with the suggestion or statement lens, you will realize how you genuinely trust yourself. Thus, locating the energy of passivity within your thoughts will allow your words to become statements that land with integrity.

The final practice is self-gratitude, which will tenderly lead you back to yourself. Allocate five minutes daily to show gratitude toward yourself, then close your eyes and place your hand on your heart. Breathe into gratitude for the perseverance you've exhibited, the challenges you faced, and the unwavering belief in yourself to continue without the support you've deserved. Embrace ease as it falls upon you.

Little did I know this "swim big" mentality would deeply influence how I experienced everything in my life and become one of the gifts I get to share with others. So, whether you swim, run, or write big, you always have permission to "be big." Use each tool to equip yourself with aligned, committed action now because being ready is not a feeling but a decision.

About the Author:

Parisa Rose is an Iranian-American who has proven her leadership on the national and international stage of the ultra-competitive sport of swimming. As a titled 8x All-American Athlete and NCAA D1 Athlete, she knows the inner strength it takes to win in challenges and lives her life with grace and humility even though she still holds a standing 24-year record plus 20+ records from her swimming career.

On a deeper level of leadership, Parisa excels in her vast knowledge and experience of breaking generational and cultural trauma. This is often experienced in social media, where Parisa is viewed as an inspiration to all of her community. Whether on Instagram, where she tackles challenging subjects, or Clubhouse, which recently recognized her as an icon for her activism for Iran, Parisa produces content that drives many to reimagine a greater world.

Find out more about Parisa:

1. Instagram

2. Clubhouse