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Do you feel like you’re stuck in life but are not sure why? You might not realize it, but limiting beliefs are holding you back from achieving your full potential. These beliefs often go unnoticed, operating in the background like a soundtrack on endless repeat. It’s time to hit pause and take control.
Let’s dive deep into three of the most common limiting beliefs examples that we all face—and more importantly, how to overcome limiting beliefs.
Definition and Limiting Beliefs Examples
Limiting beliefs are subconscious thoughts and ideas that shape the way we perceive the world and our own capabilities. They often come from experiences in childhood, cultural conditioning, or society's expectations.
Unfortunately, these beliefs tend to block us from going after what we truly want. We start thinking, "I can't do that," or "I don’t deserve this," without even questioning where these thoughts came from.
Here are the top 3 self limiting beliefs we face:
"I’m not good enough"
This belief creeps in when we start comparing ourselves to others. Whether it’s comparing your progress to someone else’s or doubting your own skills, the underlying thought is, “I don’t have what it takes.”
"I don’t deserve success"
You’d be surprised how many of us battle with this belief, especially when success starts coming our way. It’s rooted in a feeling of unworthiness, a belief that deep down, you're not deserving of the fruits of your labor.
"I’m going to lose everything"
This limiting belief is a byproduct of fear. As entrepreneurs, you take risks every day, but there's always that haunting fear of failure—“What if I lose it all?”—which can stop you from taking the next big leap in your business.
These limiting beliefs aren’t just thoughts—they shape your actions, or lack thereof. When we internalize these limiting beliefs, they act as a powerful force that prevents us from taking risks and seizing opportunities.
How Limiting Beliefs Stopped Me
I remember a time when my limiting beliefs held me back from living the life I truly wanted. The belief that “I’m not good enough” plagued me during my entrepreneurial journey. I doubted my ability to succeed, questioned every decision, and often found myself paralyzed by the fear of failure.
I had been running a successful business for a few years, but I reached a point where I felt stuck. Despite the outward success, internally, I kept telling myself that I wasn’t good enough to grow beyond my current state. I started believing that I had hit my ceiling, and this belief became my reality.
But then, something changed.
I realized that these beliefs weren’t rooted in truth—they were fears and insecurities that I had picked up along the way. I began to challenge them, to ask myself, “What if this isn’t true? What if I am good enough, and what if I do deserve success?”
That’s when I started to break free. I pushed myself to take actions that scared me, like expanding my business, taking bigger risks, and even speaking on stages. The fear was still there, but I learned to manage it instead of letting it control me.
The result? My business grew beyond anything I had ever imagined.
3 Ways To Overcome Limiting Beliefs
Now that we’ve identified these limiting beliefs, it’s time to dismantle them. Here are three strategies that have worked for me and many other successful entrepreneurs.
1. Reflection: Identify and Acknowledge Your Beliefs
You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. The first step in breaking through limiting beliefs is to identify them. This requires self-reflection—taking the time to ask yourself tough questions. What beliefs are holding you back? Are you afraid of failing, or do you doubt your worthiness?
One way to reflect is by journaling. Write down the thoughts that come to mind when you think about your goals. What fears or doubts surface? Once you’ve identified these limiting beliefs, it becomes easier to challenge them.
2. Action: Challenge Your Beliefs with Evidence
Once you’ve identified your limiting beliefs, the next step is to challenge them with evidence. If your belief is “I’m not good enough,” ask yourself, “What evidence do I have to support this?” Chances are, the evidence doesn’t hold up.
Take small, deliberate actions that contradict your limiting belief. If you think you’re not good enough, prove to yourself that you are by taking on new challenges, even if they’re outside of your comfort zone. Each action, no matter how small, will chip away at the belief that’s holding you back.
3. Accountability: Surround Yourself with Support
It’s easier to break through limiting beliefs when you have a support system. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, who challenge your negative self-talk, and who hold you accountable for pursuing your dreams.
Find mentors, join mastermind groups, or work with a coach who can help you stay on track. Having someone to encourage you when you’re feeling stuck makes all the difference in the world.
Limiting and Empowering Beliefs Examples
If you’ve made it this far, you’re ready to take the next step. Now that you’ve identified your limiting beliefs, it’s time to replace them with empowering ones.
Here are a few empowering beliefs examples:
Instead of “I’m not good enough,” start telling yourself, “I am capable, and I have what it takes.”
Instead of “I don’t deserve success,” say, “I deserve all the success that comes my way because I’ve worked hard for it.”
And instead of fearing failure, remind yourself, “I have the ability to bounce back, no matter what happens.”
Breaking through limiting beliefs isn’t a one-time event—it’s a process. But with reflection, action, and accountability, you can begin to rewrite the script that’s been holding you back and step into the life you were meant to live.
Remember, your beliefs shape your reality. Choose beliefs that empower you, and watch how your life transforms.
Call to Action
What limiting beliefs are holding you back? Take a moment to
- reflect on them,
- challenge them, and
- replace them with beliefs that will help you move forward.
You deserve to live a life that’s free from self-imposed limitations.
Forbes
