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How to Overcome the Limiting Beliefs That Hold You Back in Life

By Nukhba Khan

I firmly believe that the most powerful way to make positive changes in your life is by understanding what limiting beliefs you are harboring in your mind. Because these beliefs are running your life (or maybe ruining your life), THEY IMPACT HOW YOU THINK, THE ACTIONS YOU TAKE, AND THE OUTCOMES YOU CREATE IN YOUR LIFE.

Until and unless you figure out your unique limiting beliefs and release them, you cannot improve yourself, your circumstances, and your life. You cannot experience the real magic, i.e., your true potential.

If you are tired of playing small, constantly doubting yourself, and ready to make lasting and powerful changes in your work and personal life, it may be time to release and let go of the limiting beliefs that have been holding you back.

First, if you are not sure what your limiting belief(s) is, I highly recommend that you first uncover your specific limiting belief. I have a great resource that provides a structured method to figure out your hidden and potent limiting beliefs.

Check it out here.

But if you are aware of your limiting belief(s), then here are 5 powerful action steps that can help you release them. These strategies will get you to start living powerfully, not letting fear, doubt, limitations, or obstacles get in your way.

STEP 1: ACCEPT & EXPLORE

First and foremost, you have to acknowledge and accept your limiting beliefs fully. Basically, don’t fight it because, honestly, WHAT YOU RESIST, PERSISTS.

When you have fully acknowledged and accepted it, grab a piece of paper and pen and ask yourself these questions:

What happened in your past that led you to believe this limiting belief?
Based on what happened, what could have been the purpose of this belief? Was it to protect you or guard you?
And what is its purpose today? Is it still protecting you or stopping you from living a good and confident life? What is the role or function of your limiting belief in your today?

ALL BELIEFS HAVE A PURPOSE WHEN THEY ARE CREATED. Usually, that purpose is to protect you and keep you safe from pain or uncomfortable experiences or protect you from struggle and failure.

In the case of your limiting beliefs, the purpose is probably not serving you, but it does exist. IT’S ESSENTIAL TO UNCOVER THE INTENTION OF YOUR LIMITING BELIEF BECAUSE THAT WILL MAKE YOU REALIZE HOW IT IS MISLEADING YOU IN LIFE.

For example, you may be stuck in your career by the belief that maybe you are not good enough for a promotion or a better job. This kind of thinking is crippling for your career. At its root, it’s probably aimed at protecting you from the pain or humiliation that you believe will result if you put yourself out there and ask for what you deserve.

STEP 2: INTERROGATE

Once you’ve uncovered the purpose of your belief, next, you have to start to question whether it’s still helpful or even valid?.

In the ‘I am not good enough’ example I just mentioned, you’d ask what’s the worst that could happen if you put up your hand for a promotion? You might not get the promotion? But perhaps that will allow you to start the conversation about what skills you need to develop in the future to get the promotion. And you will be more ready next time.

Is that worse, or is it worse to do nothing at all because you want to avoid the discomfort of rejection? ASK YOURSELF, IS YOUR LIMITING BELIEF LEADING YOU TO MORE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE RESULTS?

This process of questioning your limiting beliefs can be super powerful and helpful in reducing its power. So, examine the usefulness of your limiting beliefs.

STEP 3: REPLACE

To break the hold that your old beliefs have on you, you need to replace them with empowering beliefs. So, reframe the limiting beliefs you’ve identified and formulate a new hypothesis that empowers you to believe in yourself and your capabilities and supports you in achieving the greatness you desire.

For example:

Original belief: “I don’t think I’m qualified or good enough to deserve a promotion or get a better job.”

Instead, you could reframe it: “I am ready for new challenges, and I am ready to learn and put in the effort to be more than good enough in my new role. I am ready to do what’s important to move my career and life forward.”

STEP 4: REWIRE

The brain retains and preserves old beliefs, but THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE MIND CAN ALSO BE RETRAINED.

Beliefs are thoughts that have been repeated so often that the brain now holds them as the truth or a fact of life. So by creating and feeding the brain new thoughts or ways of thinking, you can start to rewire it.

There are many different techniques, and here are a few of my favorite ones.

REPEATING AFFIRMATIONS: Write or speak your new beliefs repeatedly at specific times every day. Initially, these positive statements that you repeat may not feel true. But trust me, as you keep repeating them, you train the brain to think naturally in that positive way. And over time, it will become second nature to have empowering thoughts about yourself.
FORMING HABITS: You could create fun rituals to support your new belief. One example of a fun habit is: writing out the old belief on a piece of paper each morning and then tearing it up while feeling that thought move out from your mind and body. And then writing the new belief and keeping it with you in your notebook. (But if this practice is too woo woo, then you can try the next one ;) )
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE: Suppose you are trying to stop not feeling good enough. In that case, make an effort to put yourself in situations that you would typically avoid because you think you are not good enough. For example, don’t shy away from sharing your opinion in meetings because you feel it may not be good enough. You will be surprised to find out that either you undervalue yourself (and a bit too much) or that it is not the end of the world if you say or do something that you think is not good enough.
Testing out your new beliefs is a great way to make your new view of life more real. So test your new beliefs! It gives it power! TRUST ME.

STEP 5: FIND YOUR MUSE

Identify that one person who epitomizes the beliefs you’re trying to build for yourself. And keep this person in your mind, especially when things get tough.

Channel this person when you doubt yourself and think about what this person would do in a similar situation. How would this person behave, react and handle the situation? Visualize this person in a similar situation to you and imagine how the person would act and get inspired to behave similarly.

This really helps to give you a little boost of energy or motivation to practice your new beliefs. It is also a neat trick to keep in your back pocket and use it when you feel lost and need a push or inspiration to practice your new belief system.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In summary

Step 1: Accept Your Limiting Belief and then find its purpose or intention

Step 2: Question the purpose of this belief and ask whether it serves you or adds any value in your life?

Step 3: Reframe and replace old beliefs with empowering beliefs

Step 4: Rewire your brain so that it becomes second nature to have empowering thoughts about yourself.

Step 5: Identify your muse, because in those weak moments, and inspiring person that you can channel in and use their energy to inspire you to think in new, refreshing, and encouraging ways.

And the last significant piece of advice to consider and understand is that overcoming and letting go of your limiting beliefs is a continuous practice. TRANSFORMATION DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

Your limiting beliefs have been with you for many years, and they have been deeply imprinted into your brain. So, naturally, It takes time to kick them out the door.

But the rewiring is possible - with commitment and effort, and the results are beyond phenomenal.

OVERCOMING YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS IS GENUINELY THE MOST LIBERATING EXPERIENCE AND THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF. JUST IMAGINE THE FREEDOM TO LIVE YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL AND GET WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE.