Limiting Beliefs - The Mindset Killer
Many people are passionate, but because of their limiting beliefs about who they are and what they can do, they never take actions that could make their dream a reality. - Tony Robbins
Continuing with the series on Mindset, let's discuss how limiting beliefs impacts your mindset. Your limiting beliefs have a huge impact on your ability to change and grow your mindset. Without understanding limiting beliefs, exploring the limiting beliefs you have and then working to overcome them, you are dead in the water.
So, what exactly is a limiting belief?
In brief, a limiting belief is an idea or thought you hold as truth that hinders you from living your full potential. In reality, that "truth" is usually created by your subconscious and you are not even aware of it. They are often formed when you are young and reinforced by your parents or someone else you look up to. You can also create your own limiting beliefs by telling yourself you cannot do something or you are not good enough in a certain area. As a result, you usually avoid that area.
For example, my father could do just about anything with his hands. He could repair anything or build anything. Unfortunately, he did not teach me those skills and would often jump in quickly to try to fix something I messed up. Eventually, I developed the limiting belief that I was not good with repairs of fixing things. As a result, it takes a ton of self-talk when I need to accomplish a chore around the house that I feel I am not capable of completing. I used to joke that I broke out into a cold sweat with a hammer in my hand.
There are many other examples of limiting beliefs:
-
I cannot make more money
-
I am not worthy of love
-
I am not smart enough
-
I do not deserve.....(insert whatever comes to mind)
Whenever you say the phrases:
-
I cannot...
-
I am not...
-
I do not deserve....
These are usually steeped in a limiting belief.
So, how does limiting beliefs impact your mindset? You may have already guessed, but limiting beliefs dampens your mindset and hinders you from embracing your best and highest mindset. It sets a very low ceiling on what you can or cannot do. Basically, it keeps you from living your best.
DETERMINING YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS
Let's take a few minutes and give you some tools to determine your limiting beliefs. Take out a piece of paper and give yourself 15 to 30 minutes to answer the following questions:
-
What would I like to achieve in my life but I am not working towards?
-
Why am I not working towards that goal?
-
What are my beliefs?
-
What negative thoughts did I have today?
-
Why did I have that thought?
-
If I think about that negative thought, what comes to mind?
These questions are a great starting point for figuring out some of your limiting beliefs.
HOW TO MOVE BEYOND YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS
So, you have limiting beliefs. This may be a new idea to you. Good news. Everyone else has limiting beliefs as well. Pick the person you look up to the most and I guarantee they have limiting beliefs. The great news is that you are not destined to keep your current limiting beliefs, unless of course, you like them and want to stay where you are. You would not be reading this blog post if you wanted to keep your limiting beliefs.
How, then, do you move beyond your limiting beliefs?
Here are some great ideas on how to move beyond your limiting beliefs:
-
What if your limiting belief is actually wrong?
-
Step into your discomfort zone.
-
Take risks.
-
Set aside time and think of new beliefs.
-
Test your new beliefs to see if they are true.
-
Embrace your new beliefs and congratulate yourself.
-
Repeat these steps when another limiting belief comes to light.
CONCLUSION
Limiting beliefs are just an opportunity to learn and grow. Realizing you have limiting beliefs helps you reevaluate who you are and helps you define who you want to be. Do not see limiting beliefs as a negative, but rather a chance for you to write a new story and create the life you want. The only time a limiting belief wins is when you accept it as fact and let it keep you from living the life you want to live.
Now, put in the work. Find those limiting beliefs and create the beliefs you want and then go live them out.
