The 10 Ties You Didn’t Know You Needed to Cut

At the end of a long day at the office, what's the first thing you do? You loosen your tie, finally letting yourself breathe. But what if that tie wasn’t just a piece of clothing? What if it represented everything in life that holds you back—your fears, the excuses you make, the old habits you can’t shake?

Imagine that tie—tight, restrictive, and keeping you from who you’re supposed to be. Cutting it loose means letting go of what holds you back and becoming a version of yourself that’s real, raw, and powerful.

We all live in these loops—fear feeding excuses, and those excuses fueling even more fear. It’s a cycle that keeps you locked in place. To truly break free, it’s not enough to address problems on the surface. You have to change what’s feeding this loop: YOU.

Cut the Ties Holding You Back

Fears often stem from past experiences or worst-case scenarios we create in our heads. Those fears lead to excuses, and those excuses justify not taking action. The first step is realizing you're the one creating and sustaining this cycle. It’s time to stop.

Change how you respond to fear. Each tie represents a mindset or habit that holds you back—the ones you might not even realize are there. Once you identify them, you can begin cutting them loose and finally moving forward.

1. The Tie to Fear of Success Fear of success is sneaky and often hides behind the fear of failure. You might avoid pushing forward because success brings new challenges. Cut this by embracing that growth always comes with new expectations.
2. The Tie to Excuses Excuses protect you from discomfort, but they’re just stories you tell yourself. Take radical responsibility for your actions. Own your outcomes—no more blaming the external.
3. The Tie to Old Habits Habits keep you stuck in the past. They feel comfortable but prevent growth. Identify what no longer serves you and create new habits that align with where you want to go.
4. The Tie to Perfectionism Are you waiting for the perfect time, the perfect conditions, or the perfect ability? This will paralyze you. Cut this tie by taking imperfect action—any action is better than staying still.
5. The Tie to Approval Worrying about what others think can really hold you back from making bold moves. Your worth isn’t tied to anyone else’s opinion—it’s something only you can define.
6. The Tie to Comfort Comfort feels safe, but it’s a trap. Growth happens in discomfort. Push yourself into situations that challenge you.
7. The Tie to Comparison Constantly measuring yourself against others will only slow you down. Focus on your own path and your own wins. Remember, success looks different for everyone.
8. The Tie to Past Failures Past failures can haunt your present decisions. See failure as a lesson, not a life sentence.
9. The Tie to Fear of Judgment Worrying about what others think keeps you playing small. The truth is, most people are too focused on their own lives to judge you as harshly as you think.
10. The Tie to Scarcity Mindset Ever catch yourself thinking there's not enough success or opportunity out there for everyone? I know I have. But that kind of thinking just holds us back. Shifting to an abundance mindset opens you up to more possibilities.

How to Change the Fuel Source

Real change starts with looking at how you think and react. The stories you tell yourself shape your reality.

1. Take a Hard Look at What’s Driving You

Your thoughts, beliefs, and actions are what keep the cycle going. Start by shifting how you talk to yourself, and you'll notice changes happening around you, too.

1. Respond Differently

You don’t need a total life overhaul overnight—just commit to showing up in new ways. When you feel fear creeping in, make a conscious choice to act with courage. When an excuse comes to mind, push through it instead of letting it guide your decisions. Rewire your mindset to embrace courage, action, and resilience.

1. Keep It Simple

Start small. Journal your thoughts each day to track when those fears or excuses come up. Hang out with people who push you to be better, not stay the same. And make gratitude a daily habit—focusing on what you already have can help you let go of the scarcity mindset.

Final Thoughts

Every time you cut one of those ties, you weaken the hold that fears and excuses have on you. You’ll start making decisions from a place of strength, no longer stuck in the same old patterns.

Pick one fear or excuse that's been holding you back and commit to cutting that tie today. Write it down, and make a commitment to take action. Your future self will thank you for it.