As we grow, our lives are shaped by our experiences, habits, actions, customs, and beliefs… But, Sometimes, these beliefs can hold us back. We all have those little thoughts that say we can’t do something, that we’re not good enough, or that we’re just not cut out for it.
These thoughts called limiting beliefs, can be sneaky. They seem logical, so we often don’t question them. The thing is that they can stop us from achieving our goals and reaching our full potential.
Together, we’ll uncover the hidden barriers that have been holding you back and learn practical strategies to challenge and replace these limiting beliefs.
What’s a Limiting Belief?
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A limiting belief is a conditioning belief that makes you interpret reality in a way that limits you. It is a negative thought that you have about yourself that prevents you from taking action or reaching your goals.
These are usually based on their past experiences, what others have told them, or their own negative thinking. The family environment, education, and society are key in the child’s formation since they condition the way of thinking, feeling, and acting of the adult that you are today.
What is behind a limiting belief is fear. Sometimes it can come from the fear that other people feel, or from what they say in the news, or what a person of authority said; causing you to believe it as true.
How to Change Limiting Beliefs?
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The key is to realize that experiences don’t have to determine your life. Just because it happened once doesn’t mean that the same thing will always happen. We can always change what we believe and overcome any obstacle – since our belief is not the truth, but only a perception that our mind has built.
1. Identify What Type of Belief You Have
The first step is to become aware of the beliefs that are holding you back. Pay attention to the thoughts that run through your mind on a regular basis. Are they mostly positive or negative? What do they say about you and your ability to achieve your goals?
Pay attention to your thoughts and detect if they begin with any of these phrases:
All those phrases are creating a reality that you may not want to create. Your mind doesn’t distinguish the word “no”.
Everything you say and think your mind understands it as real, and that’s what you are creating. If you haven’t had that dream job, a love affair, the trip of your life, start a family, be happy, live fully and abundantly… Perhaps it is because you have a belief that is blocking you.
Here is a list of the most common limiting beliefs:
2. Challenge your beliefs
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Once you’ve identified your limiting beliefs, it’s time to start challenging them. Ask yourself if there is any evidence to support your beliefs… Are they based on fact or opinion? Are they helpful or harmful?
Sometimes the belief is there because it serves to protect us from something – and you have to go through whatever it takes to change the belief. In fact, fear of change keeps you in your comfort zone. If there are things you would like to manifest but you cannot, it may be because you are blocked by a belief that is limiting your growth and prevents you from giving space for the news you want.
3. Replace Limiting Beliefs with Empowering Beliefs
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Empowering beliefs are thoughts and emotions that empower and connect you with all possibilities. They allow you to have high self-esteem and unshakable confidence that you can live the life you want.
Some examples of empowering beliefs are:
Suppose you believe “money is bad,” then ask yourself:
All the answers to these questions will help you become aware if it is a limiting or empowering belief. Your limiting beliefs about money will change – and you realize that, for example, your money problems are not yours but come from the experience of your parents.
In this way, you will reprogram your brain by sowing a new belief that will help you have the amount of money you want.
4. Internalize the New Belief
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The final step is to put your new, empowering beliefs into action. Remember, believing is only half the battle – you also need to take consistent action toward your goals in order to achieve them.
Watch your thoughts and become aware of your feelings. If saying the new belief makes you feel more empowered, confident, and secure, then continue to choose that thought.
Your Limiting Beliefs Are your own prison
The belief system that we forge throughout life makes some of these beliefs beneficial and others harmful. Being only a perception built by past experiences (and once identified) we can change them for ideas that empower us.
Aim to have more empowering beliefs and fewer limiting beliefs; and you will see how your life changes, focusing on being a better version of yourself.
Featured Image: Photo by Sam Rana
