Systems and methods for mitigating the effects of self-FEXT within an xDSL system are described. At least one embodiment is a method for reducing self-induced far end crosstalk (self-FEXT) in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) digital subscriber line (xDSL) system. The method comprises deriving an initial value for an off-diagonal multiple input multiple output canceller (ODMC) while the ODMC is inactive and while in data mode. The method further comprises activating the initial ODMC and converging towards an steady-state value for the ODMC by performing an adaptive algorithm to maximize the Shannon's capacity of the system and to reduce upstream self- FEXT. The method also comprises performing bit loading and updating a frequency domain equalizer (FEQ).