Self-limiting beliefs are the negative self-perceptions that are rooted in our conscious and subconscious and keep us from achieving success in our lives and/or careers. These are the negative things we say and think about ourselves and our capabilities.
The subconscious belief system about ourselves influences things like our behavior, thoughts, feelings, and reinforces our core beliefs.
Our core beliefs are the central ideas we have about ourselves that we perceive as the truth. Core beliefs can be both positive and negative.
Just as affirmations are meant to empower and motivate us, self-limiting beliefs act against that and impact our ability to undertake important tasks and make important decisions.
What we constantly tell ourselves, whether it be positive or negative, we end up believing. For that is why we need to be aware and mindful of things we say to ourselves, consciously or not.
EXAMPLES OF SELF-LIMITING BELIEFS:
Using self-limiting phrases hinders our ability to succeed and to cope with many anxiety inducing situations.
These phrases usually look something like this:
- I am a failure
- I am not good at this
- I am not good enough
- I can’t do this
- I am not ready
- I must be stupid
- I don’t have the experience
- I should be better at this
If you’ve said any of these things before, or used similar phrases, you are not alone. Most people, even those without anxiety, struggle with self-limiting beliefs. Yes! Even professionals, actors, and entrepreneurs!
HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR SELF-LIMITING BELIEFS
In order to overcome your self-limiting beliefs, you need to be able to identify them and correct them when they occur.
IDENTIFY & WRITE IT DOWN
Take a moment to reflect on things you’ve said in the past, or even things you’ve said today. Did you use any of the phrases above? If so, then you’ve identified a limiting belief! Go ahead and write that belief down.
DETERMINE ITS ACCURACY
After you’ve identified a limiting belief and written it down, analyze its accuracy. Does it have merit? Do you have evidence to back up that belief? Is this belief stemming from a place of fear or from a past experience?
REEVALUATE THE “EVIDENCE”
Self-limiting beliefs can be so deeply rooted that we take past traumatic or negative events as all the “evidence” we need.
We tend to ignore other instances where there has been information that contradicts that belief.
Take a moment to consider times when you’ve proven a belief to be false.
REFRAME THE BELIEF
To develop real change in your self-limiting beliefs, and in turn, your core beliefs, you need to challenge your thoughts.
Monitor your thoughts more closely and work to modify any negative thoughts.
When you begin to have those thoughts, interrupt them immediately. Saying to yourself, “hey!” or “stop!” will prevent the negative thought from taking root. Remind yourself that this limiting belief is not based on any truth.
Reframe your negative thought into a positive one.
Avoid phrases such as: “I can’t…”, “I must…”, “I am not…”, “I don’t…”, “I should…”.
Try looking to affirmations for support. Pinterest is a great place to start your search! You can even find an “Affirmations” section on my Instagram @anxiousgirlscaryworld.
BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF
Reframing your thoughts and changing your self-limiting beliefs is going to take work. Hard work. You might not get it right the first few times, and that’s okay. It’s going to take time and practice before you start to really get the hang of it.
Don’t beat yourself up for having a negative thought, you can’t always have a positive frame of mind 24/7. You’re only human. Just do your best, that’s all you can do anyways.
Overcoming your self-limiting beliefs and changing your core beliefs is possible. Keep practicing, keep reframing and reinforcing those positive thoughts.
Remind yourself that those old thoughts are invalid, outdated and sooo out of style!
“Get in loser lover, we’re healing from past trauma and falling in love with life again.”
With love and support, Molly
