Limiting beliefs keep a person in a state of mind that restricts them in some way. Every single person struggles with limiting beliefs. Some of our limiting beliefs come from past experiences or what we were taught to think is possible, and unfortunately those limiting beliefs may hold us back from our true potential.
I know that personally I am often my own worst enemy. When I look back on any regrets that I have in life, I see that most of the time the only thing or person standing in my way was me and my limited thinking. When I begin to question and challenge my limiting beliefs, I end up frustrated because I realize that I allowed those thoughts to hold me back. If we are not careful, limiting beliefs can stifle our growth and leave us living an unfulfilled life.
So how do we address these limiting beliefs?
Identify the thought or belief
Remind yourself that it is just a belief, it is not a fact
Challenge that belief
Imagine yourself if that belief was not holding you back/change your belief
Live your life according to your new belief
Here’s a real life example:
I can’t go to college because no one in my family has gone to college and I can’t afford it.
Is this true? It is true that no one in my family went to college before me but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I cannot go.
Maybe if I apply I will get in. I do have decent grades. Maybe with loans I can afford a county college or a state school.
With a college degree I might have better job opportunities in the future and I do want to have a high paying job.
I am going to apply and see if I can get in. It might be hard but I have done hard things before. I am going to be the first college-educated person in my family!
When I think about successful people that I look up to, I’ve realized that they all have one thing in common: they don’t allow limiting beliefs to hold them back. Imagine if athletes convinced themselves that they weren’t that good at sports. Imagine if surgeons told themselves before every surgery that they might not have steady hands. Imagine if parents woke up every day and convinced themselves that they would not be good mothers or fathers.
I want to encourage you to try to talk to yourself as if you are talking to a close friend or a loved one. Be delusional! (within reason haha) Tell yourself that you can accomplish your wildest dreams even if it seems impossible. Challenge every single belief that keeps you from living the most beautiful version of your life that you can envision, and proceed as if you are already living that dream life.
