Hey there, and welcome back to the Living the Dream Newsletter!

This past week has been filled with powerful conversations, eye-opening realizations, and a whole lot of gratitude.

We wrapped up the 4-Minute Gratitude Challenge on Instagram, and the feedback has been incredible. So many people shared how these simple, daily moments of gratitude opened their eyes to things they usually take for granted. And those short videos? People loved them! (If you missed them, you can still check them out on my page.)

One message I got this week really stuck with me. Someone asked if I had taken a coaching course or earned a certificate before launching my 1-on-1 coaching. The truth? No, I didn’t. But I’ve been having deep conversations for years—helping people break through barriers, shift their mindset, and see life through a Torah lens. Time and again, people have told me that I’ve helped them more than professionals who charge thousands of dollars. So when I was told, "You need to start coaching—there are people who need this!" how could I refuse?

The more I think about it, the more I realize: We often don’t see our own gifts clearly. We assume that just because something comes naturally to us, it’s not valuable. But sometimes, the very thing we take for granted is the thing that others need most from us.

That’s exactly what this week’s article is about—breaking free from the invisible limits we place on ourselves. Whether it’s self-doubt, fear of the unknown, or feeling “not ready,” it’s time to shatter the glass ceiling and step into the future we’re meant for.

And of course—if you find these newsletters valuable, please forward this to a friend or share it. The more people we reach, the more impact we can have.

Now, let’s get into it.

Breaking Free: Shattering the Invisible Barriers Holding You Back

As we leave Mitzrayim in the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim, we recognize that each of us has our own personal Mitzrayim to break free from.

Maybe it’s self-doubt.
Maybe it’s fear of the unknown.
Maybe it’s just being too comfortable in a life that isn’t really what we want.

But deep down, we all feel it. That pull toward something greater. The sense that we were meant for more.

So why do we stay stuck?

Because there’s a gap. A space between where we are and where we want to be. And we don’t always know how to cross it.

Bridging the Gap: Seeing the Destination But Not the Road

For years, I dreamed of moving to Israel. It was always the plan. I just had to figure out the right time.

First, I told myself I’d move to Montreal, then to Israel. Then I told myself I’d move to Edmonton, then to Israel.

Each step made sense. It was logical. It was safe.

When COVID hit and our community started shutting down, I knew we had to move again. This was the perfect moment to finally go to Israel, right?

Instead, we started looking at other communities in North America. Again, we told ourselves, “We’ll move there for a few years, then make aliyah.”

Then my wife asked one question that shattered everything:

“If we really want to be in Israel, why are we moving somewhere else first?”

Boom. That was it. The glass ceiling cracked. That night, we applied for aliyah.

How many times do we do this in life?
We set a goal but convince ourselves we need one more step before we get there.
We dream big but hesitate when it’s time to act.
We see the destination but struggle to believe the road leading there is real.

Why is that?

What’s Holding Us Back?

Is it self-doubt?
Is it fear of failure?
Is it the voices in our head telling us we’re not ready yet?

Moshe Rabbeinu had no idea what his potential was before the burning bush.
Bnei Yisrael had no idea what they could become until they left Mitzrayim and received the Torah.

Sometimes, we don’t know what’s possible.
Sometimes, we know we can do more, but we don’t know how.
Sometimes, we sense something greater is out there, but we don’t even know what it is.

The truth is, we are the ones holding ourselves back.

The Power of Thoughts: Creating Your Own Reality

The Lubavitcher Rebbe famously said, “Think good and it will be good.”

This isn’t just a nice saying. It’s the secret to breaking free.

We are constantly shaping our own reality with our thoughts.

• When we think negatively, we shrink our world.

• When we think positively, we expand our potential.

That’s exactly why I created 4-Minute Gratitude—to help train our minds to focus on the positive, to shift our perspective, to break the cycle of limiting thoughts.

Because the biggest Mitzrayim in our lives isn’t external. It’s internal.

It’s the voice that says:
“I’m not ready.”
“I need more time.”
“I’ll do it later.”

But later rarely comes.

Your Life is About Growth

At a baby’s bris, we say “Zeh katan, gadol yihyeh.”
This tiny baby will grow into the great person he is meant to be.

At 8 days old, he can’t do anything. He’s helpless.
At 90 years old, he can look back at a life of growth, challenges, and accomplishments.

Now look at yourself.

Picture the person you want to be in 20, 30, or 50 years. Can you see them?

Now, can you see the steps it will take to get there?

Most people can’t.

We overestimate what we can accomplish in a year, but we underestimate what we can accomplish in 5 or 10 years—if we commit, if we take action, if we believe it’s possible.

Habits: The Small Steps That Change Everything

We don’t grow by accident.

We live the same days, the same routines, the same thoughts—unless we actively choose to break free.

This is why habits are everything.

• If you build great habits, even on your worst days, you’ll still be moving forward.

• If you live life on autopilot, your days slip away, wasted.

We think our feelings shape our thoughts.
“If I feel happy, I’ll think happy thoughts.”

But it’s the opposite.

Our thoughts shape our feelings.
“If I think happy thoughts, I’ll feel happy.”

If we wait to feel ready, we never start.
If we act first, the feelings follow.

Shattering Your Glass Ceiling: What’s Your Mitzrayim?

Every single day, we have a choice.

• We can keep living small, stuck in the same patterns.

• Or we can break free.

Every day is an opportunity to take one step closer to your full potential.

But if you let doubt control you, if you let your limiting thoughts win, you stay in your personal Mitzrayim.

So I’m asking you:

What’s your Mitzrayim?
What’s holding you back?
What are you convincing yourself you need to do first before you can actually take the step you really want to take?

Action Activity: "Break Your Mitzrayim" Challenge

Take a few moments to reflect on one thing that has been holding you back—a fear, a self-doubt, or a mental barrier. Then, do the following:

1️⃣ Write it down – Clearly define what your personal "Mitzrayim" is. What is keeping you from moving forward?
2️⃣ Challenge it – Ask yourself: Is this limitation real, or is it just a story I've been telling myself?
3️⃣ Take one small action – Break through in a tangible way. If you’ve been delaying something, take a first step today—make that call, send that email, sign up, or start the process.
4️⃣ Reframe your mindset – Every morning for the next 7 days, say out loud: "I am breaking free. I am capable. I am moving forward."

📝 Reflection: At the end of the week, write down how it felt to take action and whether your perception of the limitation has changed.

Weekly Challenge: "Expand Your Mindset"

This week, train yourself to think bigger by shifting your thought patterns:

📌 Step 1: Catch Yourself – Notice any time you have a limiting thought (“I can’t,” “It’s not possible,” “I don’t know how”).
📌 Step 2: Flip It – Immediately replace it with an empowering thought (“I am capable,” “I will find a way,” “Everything is possible”).
📌 Step 3: Take Micro-Actions – Every day, do one thing outside of your comfort zone to prove to yourself that you are breaking free.

💡 Bonus: Keep a small notebook (or notes app) where you write down moments when you chose growth over fear. By the end of the week, you’ll see just how much progress you’ve made.

 Commit to this challenge and share your progress! Let’s start living without limits.

Final Thoughts – It’s Time to Break Free!

By now, you’ve seen how easy it is to convince ourselves that we’re not ready, that we need one more step before taking action. But the truth? The only thing between you and your goals is your own mindset.

This week, I challenge you to take just one small step toward breaking free. Whether it’s making a decision you’ve been avoiding, starting something you’ve been delaying, or shifting the way you think about your potential—DO IT NOW. Your future self will thank you.

🚀 Want to go deeper? Here’s how I can help:
✨ 1:1 Coaching – Get personal guidance to unlock your full potential.
💡 4-Minute Gratitude – A simple daily practice to rewire your mindset.
🎯 More coming soon – I’m working on some courses and new ways to help you grow.

If you’re finding these newsletters valuable, please take a second to share this with someone who needs it. And remember, I love to hear from you so just reply to this email with questions, comments, feedback or to let me know how the activities and challenges are working for you.

Let’s break free together. Until next time, keep growing, keep dreaming, and keep moving forward.

Amir