Limiting Beliefs
A limiting belief has been born into your mind possibly from your childhood ( ok, anytime in your life I should say). It could have been something that happened to you as in your parents divorce, loss of someone important in your life etc. Your fixed thoughts transform into a belief that can be detrimental in your personal and professional life. My post today was written to help you take the first steps into learning more about your awareness and or ignite your self reflection process. Let’s dive in.
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Remember, you are stronger than you think.
Let’s touch base with your background knowledge about limiting beliefs.
A limiting belief can be described as a false belief that you created because of an incorrect conclusion that you had about something that occurred in your life. Many people live with limiting beliefs which are usually about themselves and what they feel they can or cannot do. Failure to succeed is a common limiting belief as it can keep you from reaching out of your comfort zone to reach both success and personal growth.
“The time to slow down has arrived. Take this time to educate yourself in the area of personal development. Your future self will thank you for it!”
How can you defy or overcome your limiting beliefs?
Identification:
It is important to identify your current limiting beliefs so you can understand where they originated from and how you can work towards letting them go. Many people have developed a fixed mindset which revolves around their specific limiting beliefs. For example:
I am not smart enough to lead that seminar at work.
I am not deserving of a loving relationship.
I always push people away.
I can’t be the leader that they need me to be.
Ideas to work towards identification:
Take out a piece of paper and a pen. Then begin to create a “brain dump” including all your personal limiting beliefs and see if there is a pattern.
Circle any ideas, scenarios, and or feelings that are the same. This may lead you deeper into uncovering your truths and your fixed mindset statements.
Once you have your area identified then move to number 2.
2. Create a toolbox:
Creating a toolbox is essential in all areas of your life. In your garage, you have a set of tools to help you with home and car repairs right? Well, it is very beneficial to build and use your toolbox for your mental health and wellness too. In your toolbox, you should concentrate on filling it with tips, tools, and strategies to aid you in your times of need. For working through your limiting beliefs you should have the following in your toolbox to promote a growth mindset.
Examples:
Create powerful affirmations ( rewrite those I can’t statements)
A journal
Calming Strategies
A safe and trusting person to talk to
Meditation
Gratitude
3. Challenge your limiting beliefs:
Once you can identify and begin using tools from your toolbox you will see change. It can be both challenging and uncomfortable at times, but remember change is hard especially when we turn the light and shine it upon ourselves. When you have a limiting belief that presents itself, you need to take a second to stop and slow down. Take a deep breath then decide at that moment if what you're thinking is true or not. A majority of the time the belief that we hold about ourselves is so far from the reality of who we really are. Combat it with your personal affirmations and let it go. I use my three things strategy to help in times where I need to slap my limiting belief back where it belongs...out of my subconscious mind.
Example:
Three Things:
Allow the thought or feeling into your mind/body
Is it true? Why is it not true? ( provide an example)
Let go by letting the feeling pass.
Benefits of facing and working through your limiting beliefs can:
improve your confidence
Build your self awareness
Promote a growing mindset
Build resilience during challenging times
Authenticity
Love for yourself ( good, bad, and trainwreck part of you)
Blooms your creativity in your life
Become more loving.
Check out my podcast episode where I interview an expert in the area of overcoming your limiting beliefs.