David Bowie Invisible Limits Analysis

In the quote written by David Bowie, he states, “I have to be prepared to put myself in a place where I feel unsafe, not completely in control”. Throughout the quote Bowie is adamant about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in order to achieve success. After reading his quote, I believe Bowie was encouraging every individual to go outside their ‘norms’ in order to reach success. Through my eyes, Bowie encourages you to take risks that you may have never considered prior because while the concept of failure is intimidating, the outcome is usually “worthwhile”.

Often times, we constrict ourselves to stay within invisible limits we set for ourselves so that we never reach a state of humiliation. The idea of someone not agreeing with our viewpoint or action limits us because we do not want to feel isolated. On a day to day basis, we filter our comments as to not stand out from others, we limit our actions to not appear different to those who surround us. However, Bowie conveys the idea that if we allow ourselves to go beyond our limits we can reach greater success. The fear of failure is a restraint that I, personally can attest to but I can also attest to the idea that when I go beyond my own limits, the results are worthwhile.
Specifically, I can convey “the truth” of this quote through one of my own experiences where I went outside of my comfort zone in hope of more success.
At this point in time I was working as a hostess at Red Robin full time while also working at Pier 1 Imports at night but realized how utterly unhappy these careers made me. As I was employed at both jobs I could not see how each job was preparing me for my future career as a Respiratory Therapist. Continually, night after night I would end my shift feeling flustered and aggravated because I lacked passion and commitment towards my jobs. However, my aggravation never motivated me to seek elsewhere due to the fear of
failure.

Consequently, I continued to work for companies that I did not feel passionate about in careers that did little to further my drive for the future. After months of portraying my unhappiness through my work and my personal life, I finally allowed myself to look for jobs in a completely new profession which I thought would aid in my future career. Fortunately, I swiftly found a job willing to train me as a receptionist and be flexible with my education. If I had stayed within my comfort zone, I would not have found a new job with better hours and the opportunity to further my customer service skills. I successfully found a new career, however that involved pushing myself, risking failure, and receiving countless rejections.

Subsequently, through my own personal experience I can see the truth within this quote. In this quote Bowie claims, “There is no progress without failure”. Clearly if you never allow yourself to go out of your comfort zone, you will never know if you may have achieved something greater. Throughout this particular experience I received numerous rejections accompanied by own extreme fear of failing or being forced to try something different.

Over all, humans resist change at all costs for one reason of fear or another. As a result, we often times miss out on great success. We experience “inward humiliation” when we second guess ourselves and limit our own abilities. David Bowie recognized his fear and challenged himself to defy what comes naturally and push himself as an artist and human being. After my own personal experiences, I can see the truth and encourage myself and others to go beyond the walls and welcome failure.