Growing up my family had a pet bearded dragon named BJ (short for Bob Jr.) In case you are not familiar with bearded dragons, here are a few fun facts:

1. Bearded dragons are actually very gentle and docile pets, unlike their intimidating name would suggest.

2. Bearded dragons are native only to Australia, but became popular pets in the US in the 1990s.

3. Bearded dragons will only grow to the size allowed by their environment. If you put a young bearded dragon in a small tank, they will stop growing.

It is this last fun fact that I am referring to when I say, "Don't be a bearded dragon."

But Jess, you say. What the heck are you talking about? Clearly I am not a small reptile.

No, but every day we make choices that create an environment for our potential. We put ourselves in a box, so to say, and we either make choices that expand our environment or restrict our environment. When we make choices that create a small environment, we restrict our growth and potential, just like a bearded dragon!

I want you to think about the last time you created a box for yourself. Did you stop yourself from applying for that dream job because you didn't meet all the requirements? Did you keep quiet in the meeting because you were afraid your input wouldn't be valued? Maybe you didn't go to the networking event because you didn't know anyone there. If so, you kept yourself small. You created an environment of fear that restricted you from reaching your full potential. 

Don't be a bearded dragon! Bust down the walls of that box and grow big!

Wondering how? Here's an exercise for getting started.

1. Identify the fear and name it. The enemy you know is a lot less scary than the enemy you don't.

2. Visualize what is possible by busting out of the box. Be descriptive and create a mental picture that is more powerful than the fear.

3. Think about who you need to be to make that visualization a reality. Do you need to be brave? Do you need to be assertive? A better listener? Okay with failure?

4. Take action! Choose to be big!

There are enough barriers out there in the world that we don't need to create them for ourselves. You have the power to choose to be big and create the environment to grow your potential. You got this. You are no bearded dragon.