The 3 Abilities for Breaking Through

“The moment you take Responsibility for everything in your life, is the moment you can change Anything in your life.”

                                                                                                                                                         – Hal Elrod

As a speaker, I have the privilege of sharing my Mind of a Champion message with diverse audiences—ranging from elementary school students to corporate leaders.

Though each audience is unique, I’ve learned that the core of my message remains the same: There is a champion inside of you. And when you access that champion and take full accountability for your life, you can achieve anything you set your heart and mind to.

But what happens when things aren’t going according to plan? What happens when you’re facing challenges, setbacks, or even downright failure? How do you break through?

I’ve spoken to groups of young people who’ve made poor choices and now struggle to find their way back on track. Some of them are already emerging leaders, while others are lost, looking for a path out of destructive cycles. One of the most powerful experiences I had was delivering a commencement speech to young men graduating from one of the highest-security correctional facilities in Colorado.

These young men had made mistakes—big mistakes—but they were at a pivotal moment. They had an incredible opportunity to rewrite their future. And so do you.

You are not your past. The future is defined by the choices you make today. The path forward requires you to embrace three key abilities, which I believe are essential for breaking through any barrier and unlocking your potential:

• Adaptability
• Responsibility (Response-ability)
• Possibility 

1. Adaptability: Show Up as Your Highest Self

Adaptability doesn’t mean blending in or conforming to fit into a situation. It’s about being flexible but staying true to who you are—your most empowered self—despite the pressures around you.

For these young men, the question was clear: “When you leave here, will you choose to stand for something greater than yourself? Will you be the person you were always meant to be, no matter where you go next?”

We all face that same question. Every day, we are given the opportunity to show up as our most authentic selves, or to simply conform to the expectations of others. It’s our choice.

Will you choose to rise above and show up as the champion you are?

2. Responsibility (Response-ability): Own Your Power

Responsibility goes beyond being accountable for your actions. It’s about developing your response-ability—the ability to respond powerfully, regardless of the situation you face.

We cannot always control where we come from, the challenges we’ve faced, or the circumstances we find ourselves in. But we always have control over how we respond to them.

These young men at the correctional facility had been dealt difficult hands in life. But the moment they took full responsibility for their actions, they unlocked the power to change their trajectory. And the same goes for you.

Your past does not define you. Your future is shaped by the choices you make today, and the most powerful thing you can do is choose how to respond to any situation. It’s your decision to rise above, to refuse to be defined by your mistakes, and to take ownership of your present and future.

If you’re looking for practical tools to increase your personal response-ability and make empowered choices in all aspects of your life, the Breaking Through to Create Your Best Year EVER course can help.

This course is designed to help you take full ownership of your life and create the transformation you desire—starting right now.

CLICK HERE to learn how to cultivate response-ability and create lasting change in your life!

          3. Possibility: Lead with a Vision of the Future

One of the greatest attributes of visionary leaders is their ability to create a compelling vision of possibility—to inspire others with the belief that something greater is always within reach, no matter the challenges or circumstances.

Think of the transformational leaders who shaped our world: Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela. These leaders didn’t focus on what they were against. Instead, they focused on what they were for. Their message wasn’t about resistance, but about possibility—freedom, equality, transformation.

What if you started living from the belief that something greater is possible for you? What if you led with possibility, rather than limitations? When you create and share a compelling vision of the future, you begin to break down the walls that keep you stuck in the past.

Your vision of possibility has the power to create ripples of transformation—not just for yourself, but for those around you. When you start seeing possibilities where others see obstacles, you become a leader in your own right.

Tap Into Your 3 Abilities Today!

This week, I challenge you to reflect on where you can apply the 3 Abilities in your life:

• • How can you show up as your highest self in every situation?
  • What would it look like to take full responsibility for your choices and your future?
  • How can you lead with a vision of possibility and start transforming your reality?

Remember, regardless of the circumstances you face, the choice is yours. Your ability to adapt, take responsibility, and embrace possibility can break through any barrier and lead you to your greatest potential.

Are you ready to break through in 2025? If so, don’t wait another minute. The Breaking Through to Create Your Best Year EVER course is here to guide you every step of the way.

Together, we can create the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Click here to get started and break through to your best year EVER!

Here’s to embracing the champion inside of you,

Chris Natzke

Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching