Do you ever feel like there’s an invisible force holding you back from reaching your full potential? Like there’s a voice in the back of your head whispering all the time, “You can’t do it” or “You’re not good enough”? If you said yes, my friend, you might be struggling with self-limiting core beliefs. Lately, I have become more aware of my self-limiting beliefs and how they stop me from following my dreams. In this blog post, I am going to share what I have learned about self-limiting core beliefs. How to recognize them, and most importantly, how to break free to reach our fullest potential and become the best version of ourselves!
What are self-limiting core beliefs?
Picture this: you have a dream – maybe it’s starting your own business, traveling the world, or learning a new skill. Suddenly, you start doubting yourself, and think, “I’m not smart enough to run a business” or “I don’t have the time or money to travel.” And before you know it, your dream starts to fade away, buried under layers of self-doubt and fear. Self-limiting core beliefs are ideas we hold about ourselves and the world that prevent us from becoming our highest selves and reaching our fullest potential. Those negative thoughts are often based on past experiences and/or false assumptions. Luckily, we can overcome them and change the narrative towards a more positive one.
How to identify them?
Identifying self-limiting beliefs it’s like shining a light in a dark room—you have to be willing to explore the hidden corners of your subconscious mind. Pay close attention to the thoughts that arise when you’re faced with challenges or new opportunities. Write them down so you can see for yourself how those beliefs are influencing your current life. Ask the following questions when you notice those thoughts arise: Do I find myself making excuses or doubting my abilities? Are there recurring themes in my negative self-talk? These could be clues pointing to underlying self-limiting beliefs that you might have.
How to overcome core beliefs?
The good thing is that self-limiting beliefs are not set in stone. With awareness and intention, we can challenge them and replace them with more empowering thoughts. I am going to share some strategies to help you break free from your self-doubt:
- Awareness: The first step in overcoming self-limiting beliefs is to become aware of them. Pay attention to the thoughts that run through your mind and challenge them. Are they based on facts or unfounded assumptions? Tip: Try journaling. Sometimes seeing these things on paper help us wake up and realize how unhealed we really are.
- Challenge: Once you’ve identified your limiting beliefs, challenge them head-on. Ask yourself, “Is this belief currently serving me? Is it helping me grow? Is it aligned with this new version of myself?” More often than not, you’ll realize that these beliefs are based on fear rather than reality.
- Replace: Replace your negative beliefs with empowering affirmations. Instead of saying, “I’m not good enough,” tell yourself, “I am capable of achieving great things.” It may feel awkward at first, but with time and practice, these positive affirmations will become second nature. Tip: try saying the affirmations while looking at yourself in the mirror and see how you feel 😉
- Take action: The best way to overcome self-limiting beliefs is to take action despite them. Start small and gradually work your way up. Each time you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think. And don’t forget to reward yourself 😉
Common Self-Limiting Beliefs
| Fixed Mindset | Growth Mindset |
|---|---|
| I am not good enough. | I am worthy and deserving of success and happiness. |
| I’m not smart/talented enough. | I have unique talents and abilities. I am capable of learning and growing. |
| I always fail. | I learn and grow from every experience. I am capable of overcoming challenges and achieving my goals. |
| I’m too old/young to pursue my dreams. | It’s never too late/early to pursue my dreams. My age does not define my potential. |
| I’ll never be able to change. | I have the power to change and grow. Every day, I am becoming the best version of myself. |
| I don’t have enough money. | Failure is a stepping stone to success. I embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. |
| I’m too shy/insecure to succeed. | I am confident and capable. I embrace my uniqueness and use it to my advantage. |
| I’ll never be wealthy. | I am open to receiving abundance in all areas of my life, including wealth and prosperity. I am deserving of financial abundance. |
| I am not good with money. | I am financially savvy and make wise decisions with my money. I am capable of managing my finances effectively. |
| I’ll never be able to get out of debt. | I am taking steps to become debt-free and financially independent. I am capable of managing my finances responsibly and achieving financial freedom. |
Remember, you are not defined by your self-limiting core beliefs. There are days where I still struggle to remember that I am changing my core beliefs. Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up here and there. You have to be willing to continue working towards a new you, even if you have bad days. You have the power to rewrite the script of your life and pursue your wildest dreams with confidence and determination. In other words, dare to challenge those limiting thoughts and embrace the limitless possibilities that await you on the other side. Your journey to self-discovery and fulfillment begins now!