And how to break through them so you can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
What are your beliefs about yourself and your health?
Do you believe that you’re capable of accomplishing great things? Or do you feel like success isn’t for you? When was the last time you took the time to make your health a priority?
If you’re stuck in a rut, it’s time to start breaking through your limiting beliefs and seeing yourself in a new light. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and aim high. You can do it!
Remember to stay positive and focused on your goals. With effort and determination, anything is possible. So go ahead and start believing in yourself! You won’t regret it.
In this article, you will learn the following:
- What are limiting beliefs?
- Where do limiting beliefs come from?
- The top 10 self-limiting beliefs blocking you from reaching your goals. Find out whether you identify with any of the limiting beliefs examples.
- How to overcome self-limiting beliefs
“You begin to fly when you let go of self-limiting beliefs and allow your mind and aspirations to rise to greater heights.” ―Brian Tracy
What are limiting beliefs?
A self-limiting belief is a belief that can stop you from achieving your goals. It causes you to believe that you are not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough to reach your goals. A limiting belief will affect your entire life if you don’t make an effort to change it.
A limiting belief limits you to thinking and feeling the same way repeatedly. Such thoughts may be pretty damaging since they keep you trapped in a pattern of mediocrity. They prevent you from taking risks, trying new things, and expanding your horizons. And worst of all, they keep you from living up to your full potential or living your healthiest life. If you say negative things about yourself, you will feel bad, lowering your self-esteem and self-confidence. You can’t be the best version of yourself if these negative beliefs take over your life.
Where do limiting beliefs come from?
Many limiting beliefs come from our family of origin — the first people who influence our lives. Parents and other caregivers influence thoughts about ourselves and the world around us. If they had a lot of negative self-talk or were pessimistic, we’re likely to pick that up as well.
But our beliefs can also come from other sources, like culture, religion, the media, and other people. Any time we hear something repeated enough times, we start to believe it’s true — even if it’s not. We need to question what we’ve learned and where we got these beliefs.
The section below will discuss some of the most common limiting beliefs.
“I’m not interested in your limiting beliefs; I’m interested in what makes you limitless.” ―Brendon Burchard
Top 10 Self Limiting Beliefs
Do you identify with any of these ten common self-limiting beliefs?
I’m not worthy of a better life.
Taking care of yourself is healthy and necessary for living a fulfilling life. Yet, people with self-limiting beliefs will not take care of themselves. They might believe they are not worthy of these things, or it would be selfish to pamper themselves in any way.
It will take too long.
Sometimes people think that reaching their goals will take too long, and they give up before making progress towards their goals. If you tell yourself that it will take too long, you’ll be less likely to persevere. You will start putting up roadblocks in your mind about why you can’t reach your goals.
It’s too complicated.
If you tell yourself, “losing weight is too hard” or “I can’t stick to my goals,” then you won’t have the motivation. When self-limiting beliefs are at play, reaching goals can feel overwhelming and intimidating.
I don’t have enough money to make changes.
At some point, most of us have thought this way. We believe that we need a lot of money to reach our goals, and we may think it’s impossible to achieve the things we dream up without spending a large amount of money.
I’m not good at taking care of myself.
Telling yourself that you’re not good at self-care often leads to self-sabotage. You’ll set self-care goals and then be unable to follow through. You might even believe that self-care is a waste of time and energy, preventing you from making it a priority.
It’s too late for me to do anything about my health.
This self-limiting belief is a self-fulfilling prophecy. By believing that it’s too late for you to make changes, you’ll keep doing what you’ve always done and never take action.
I just can’t.
You can’t do what? You can’t make any changes to your health and self-care routine? Of course, you can! It may not be easy, but this limiting belief will prevent you from making the required changes.
I’m just the way I am.
Believing that it’s impossible to change your life is self-sabotage. If you think things will always be the same, you will not make the necessary changes to live your best life.
I’ve never succeeded at anything I’ve set out to do.
If you dwell on any past failures, you will sabotage any progress in the future.
I’m afraid of failure.
Being afraid of failure will hold you back from reaching your full potential, and it’s self-limiting because it keeps you from trying at all. If you’re too afraid of failing, you won’t even attempt to better yourself.
These are some common self-limiting beliefs. Maybe you have some of these beliefs or other limiting beliefs.
You want to change negative thoughts to positive ones, and here you will find some ways to change those thoughts.
“If you accept a limiting belief, then it will become a truth for you.” ―Louise Hay
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
Identify Your Core Limiting Beliefs
The first step to overcoming limiting beliefs is to find thoughts that are holding you back. Then, replace them with thoughts that can help you succeed.
What do you tell yourself when setting and reaching your goals? Write down all the negative beliefs you’ve identified and look at these toxic beliefs.
Know Your Triggers
When do limiting beliefs show up, and why? What kinds of things trigger limiting beliefs? When you know what your triggers are, you can try to avoid them in the future or learn how to deal with them.
Start keeping a journal.
Start tracking your self-limiting beliefs and the situations that trigger them. You will start to recognize triggers in real-time.
If you write down your thoughts, it will be easier to understand what triggers them.
Don’t Give up Easily.
Pushing past limiting beliefs is key to setting and accomplishing goals. If you let limiting beliefs stop you, then they win! Give everything your best! Don’t allow limiting thoughts to steal your happiness or your self-confidence. You can change your belief system!
Keep Yourself Inspired with Positive Affirmations
Use self-affirming statements to help you better achieve your goals. Self-affirming messages can help combat self-limiting beliefs and turn them into self-empowering ones. Affirmations can be whatever you need them to be, but here are some that I like:
I am ready to achieve my dreams and goals.
I am becoming self-reliant.
I can do what I want with my life because I take risks for self-growth.
It’s never too late to reach my goals.
Even if people tell me I’m not good enough, it won’t make me believe them.
I know I can be self-reliant and self-sufficient because I’ve done it before.
I am strong and self-aware, so my limiting beliefs don’t control me anymore.
I’m grateful for how far I’ve come.
I will never give up when times get tough.
Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Self-limiting beliefs can be self-destructive and self-sabotaging. You don’t need to stay stuck or allow limiting ideas to rule your life. Begin to fight the thoughts that hold you back. Think of the evidence that supports your abilities. Then change your self-limiting beliefs to empowering positive statements. Take your old limiting beliefs and create new thoughts!
Trust Your Instincts
Self-trust is difficult for most people, but being in tune with your true self is key to self-empowerment. You’ll have better results when you take the time to get in touch with your desires.
Let Go of Your Fears
Don’t be afraid to let go of self-limiting beliefs that keep you tiny and frightened. You don’t need self-limits, which can keep you up at night with self-doubt. Instead, self-empowerment will set your spirit free to soar to new heights.
Be Your Own Best Friend
Would you tell your best friend the things you tell yourself? Of course not! Be nicer to yourself. You deserve the same kind of treatment and support you give to others.
“If we can see past preconceived limitations, then the possibilities are endless.” ―Amy Purdy
Summary
Self-limiting beliefs can be self-destructive and self-sabotaging.
Many people have thoughts that hold them back from accomplishing goals. We don’t need to stay stuck in these thoughts or allow them to rule our lives.
Begin fighting your negative self-talk so you can set yourself free! What steps can you take today to begin shifting your belief system?
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, therapist, Registered Dietitian, or financial advisor. The information presented is purely for informational purposes. Check with a doctor or other professional before making any nutritional, fitness, lifestyle, or financial changes. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any suggestions or ideas from this site. For a full disclaimer, read this.
