What are Limiting Beliefs and How to Identify Them

Is fear holding you back? Are you afraid to step out and try something new? Do you ever talk yourself out of going after a new goal by saying, “I’m not smart enough”, “I’m not good enough”, “I don’t have enough experience to apply for that promotion”, or “I don’t have anything valuable to contribute”? If so, statements like those are limiting beliefs and they are holding you back!

WHAT IS LIMITING YOU?

Limiting beliefs are thoughts and beliefs that you believe to be true and limit you in some way. According to an article on Trello, many believe our beliefs are established during childhood as we process and absorb the experiences happening around us. Some beliefs are good and some are limiting, depending on the experience. The beliefs and actions of your family can also impact your belief system.

DON’T LET FEAR HOLD YOU BACK

In order to move forward and achieve your goals, you need to overcome your fears and negative thoughts. Here are some suggestions for how you can identify your limiting beliefs. These are steps I took to help me identify what was holding me back from achieving some of my goals.

STEPS to identify your limiting beliefs:

1. Identify a big goal or dream that you are afraid to go after.
2. Write down why you are scared to go after that goal. What is holding you back? List all the negative things you are telling yourself that prevent you from going after that goal. Those thoughts are limiting beliefs.
3. Think about how you respond negatively to various situations. Is that a similar reaction to your negative reaction in question 2? Does this belief impact other areas or decisions in your life besides this one goal?

Now that you have identified your limiting beliefs, you need to think of ways to counteract them. How can you respond differently? What can you tell yourself, what actions can you take, or what positive thoughts can you quote to help you overcome your negative beliefs?

Suggestions for how to overcome your limiting beliefs:

1. Self-help: read blog posts and books, listen to podcasts, or take classes related to self-help topics that address your limiting beliefs. Set personal goals related to what you are learning through the self-help lessons. Create a journal to document your progress, feelings and steps you are taking to overcome the fears and beliefs holding you back.
2. Positive affirmations: Learn to speak positively about yourself and to yourself. Create positive affirmations to tell yourself that contradict the negative beliefs you keep telling yourself. Hopefully, over time, you will begin to believe those positive things you are saying.
3. Counseling: a professional counselor, therapist, or support group is an excellent way to help you work through your limiting beliefs and overcome what is holding you back. This is a great option especially if you are having difficulty working through this on your own or experiencing physical symptoms like anxiety and depression.

Live Your Best Life!

Life is short. You deserve to live a life you love, but you won’t live that life if some of your beliefs are holding you back. Identify your limiting beliefs, create a plan to overcome them, and achieve the life of your dreams!