Don’t let limiting beliefs stand in the way of your dream life
Raise your hand if you have limiting beliefs.
Is your hand up? Because if you’re a human, you have at least one limiting belief that is sneaking it’s way into your life.
“I’m too old.“
“I’m too young.“
“I’ll never make enough money.“
“I’m not athletic.“
“I’m not a good public speaker. “
Sound familiar?
While these simple sentences may seem harmless, these thoughts could be standing in the way of personal development, goals, or achievements.
In this blog, we’ll explore what limiting beliefs are and how to overcome yours. So let’s get into it.
What are limiting beliefs?
Simply put, limiting beliefs are thoughts that restrict you from taking action. Usually, based in self-doubt, fear, or uncertainty, these thoughts are restrictive and oftentimes result in inaction.
Some limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained and may have been inherited from childhood, while others may have developed throughout your lifetime.
For example, if your high school English teacher told you that you were bad at spelling, you may have subconsciously imprinted that belief. Then, over time, it may have become something you own and accept as part of who you are.
More often than not, BELIEFS are misinterpretations of PAST EXPERIENCES.
Beliefs are defined as “trust, faith, and confidence in someone or something.” A belief can give you a feeling of certainty about what things mean and who you are.
And while some beliefs are hard and steadfast (for example religious beliefs), others can be explored, debated, and bent for the sake of personal growth. Being able to question your beliefs allows you to be open, evolve, and develop a deeper sense of self.
So where do you begin? Well, first, start by understanding how your brain works.
Your brain on limiting beliefs
There’s a very important part of your brain called the amygdala, this part acts as a “threat detector” and is one of the oldest and most primitive parts of the brain. The amygdala is constantly scanning your environment to assess your level of safety and acts like a watchful soldier to alert you of any signs of trouble.
Because your brain is constantly on guard, it wants to keep you from doing anything that will cause discomfort beacuse of this it steers you away from the unknown.
It's a basic survival mechanism with the goal of protecting you and keeping you safe. And while having a built-in protection system is nice, it often misfires and puts up walls when no REAL threat is present.
Think of it like this, when you want to try something new all your brain can see is everything that can go wrong. It sees the unknowns, the discomfort of being vulnerable, and the potential for failure.
That’s why mindfulness is an essential part of overcoming your limiting beliefs. When you take the time to identify where the real threats are you can determine if your limiting belief is rooted in reality or fear, doubt, or uncertainty.
The ways your limiting beliefs keep you stuck
If you believe you’ll always be alone or at a job you hate, it will be very difficult to find love and a fulfilling career.
When you root down in beliefs such as these, you have two options, you can change the belief system or change the reality.
Here’s the tricky part, if you don't realize you have a negative belief in the first place, you have no choice but to sabotage your reality. The result? A heartbreaking love life and a soul-sucking career.
It is likely that a majority of the beliefs you carry were developed when you were too young to know any better. Children see the world in black and white, and internalize everything that happens around them.
If you’re a grown up reading this, here’s your reminder that you are good enough and always were. (read that again)
Now let’s learn how to go in and pinpoint all those old, illogical beliefs and evaluate them with new eyes as adults.
Common limiting beliefs & how to dismantle them
Think of limiting beliefs like self-inflicted constraints you are putting on your life in order to stay out of harm's way.
Anything you want to change in your life must be changed at the belief level if you want it to be permanent. You can’t just treat the symptom—you must dig deep and find the belief that caused you to get there in the first place.
5 things you can do today to identify your limiting beliefs
As mentioned above, to understand your limiting beliefs you first have to create awareness. Be the babysitter of your brain at all times, watching for thoughts that are keeping you stuck, small, or generally making you feel a sense of hopelessness.
Staying connected to yourself is not an easy task, especially if you have yet to find a mindfulness technique that works for you. Stay the course. Take one step at a time
As you begin to build awareness, remember to show up with kindness and compassion. You are simply taking inventory so you can adjust as needed.
Judging or shaming yourself for thinking these thoughts will only stifle your progress. It’s okay to be human. In fact, it’s amazing.
Here are a few helpful ways to identify your limiting beliefs.
Identify it
Explore it
Talk it out
Rewrite it
By taking a good hard look at your beliefs you can better define who you are and where you want to be.
You have a big beautiful brain that helps you interpret the world, create one-of-a-kind art, make decisions, and of course, daydream.
But overriding beliefs that are ingrained is not a simple task. Working with a life coach can be hugely impactful.
I create programs to help you overcome your biggest obstacles, reach your goals, and live a more balanced life. By creating an intimate and safe space, I help you dive deep into your beliefs so you find your true authenticity. My goal is to help you take control of your well-being by helping you to take transformational action and make a long-lasting change.
My 20- min complimentary call (held via zoom) is an opportunity to explore if my coaching method aligns with your needs. I will answer any questions you have about my process and will help you get clear on the areas of growth where I can help you evolve, set dream-based goals, and overcome your biggest obstacles. Click here to get 20 minutes of free coaching.
