What Is a Limiting Belief: Identify Limiting Beliefs & Lose Them.

Introduction.

This article is a complete guide to show you everything you need to know about Limiting beliefs. What is a limiting belief? What the ways to overcome them and how to set yourself on the path to self-improvement. Moreover, I will share with you the impact of mistaken beliefs and the reasons that they may start from a young age. Limiting beliefs can stop you from reaching your full potential. In addition, they may cause you to draw unhelpful conclusions from experiences in your life. These Conclusions may prevent you from taking risks that may lead to a better experience for you. Unfortunately, sometimes we become victims of our own limiting thoughts when we could develop better habits.

What is a limiting belief?

A limiting belief is a belief that you have that holds you back in life. It also places limits on your ability to achieve the life you want and deserve. These beliefs cause an emotional response, usually fear, which stops you taking action. Action you need to take, to move forward and make your dreams and goals come to life. Overcoming these energy blockages in your mind is absolutely necessary for you to progress. Most importantly, self-awareness is your first step to identify this limiting belief. Then you can overcome it in order to move on in your life.

Common limiting beliefs are often ideas that start with: I can’t …., I’m afraid to ……., I’m not good enough to ……. All of which cause negative emotions and fearful thoughts. As a result, these make you procrastinate and make decisions that are not in tune with your dreams and wishes.

These instances of a limiting belief usually come about from thought patterns that are rooted in unpleasant past experiences. Experiences which you are dragging into the present and you are expecting will continue into the future.

How Does a Limiting Belief Form?

When you were born, you came into the world with certain genetic traits. These were passed on to you by previous generations of your family. In spite of this, you arrived here with a blank slate. You had unlimited potential and a curious nature that has no limits. You knew that you were deserving of love and you showed love to all things that were around you.

Your Early Influences

In your newborn state, and through your early years, you knew that you needed the support of those around you. This was so you would survive. As a result, your natural behavior was to fit in. To fit in with the rules and ideas of the people around you. The people who ensured that you were able to live and grow. They did this by feeding you and giving you shelter. Consequently, this is how you felt your very first influences. So, you took on the beliefs and rules of your care givers.

In these early times, up to the age of a round seven years your brain was in an altered state. (Referred to in terms of brain frequency as the theta state). As a result, this let you learn quickly and soak up information. Your care givers heavily influenced how you understood this information. So, you absorbed the opinions and beliefs of the people around you.

Initially, this is how your inner beliefs started to form. They were based on your own experiences of what was enjoyable and what was not.

An Example of a Limiting Belief

To illustrate this; imagine a baby elephant. In history people used elephants as beasts of burden. They tied young elephants to posts in the ground to stop them from moving freely. This kept them under control. When the elephant is young it cannot break free from its tether. When the elephant is fully grown it can easily break free from being tied down. But the programming it has learnt from when it was younger prevents it from believing it can break free. This is a good example of how a limiting belief limits you over time.

Imagine yourself in the place of the magnificent and powerful fully grown elephant. What beliefs do you have that are keeping you tied up? Are you unable (or unwilling) to break free of your imaginary limitations?

How Does a Limiting Belief Affect Your Life?

In my book, Hit Refresh Now – 7 Easy Steps to Overcoming Your Limiting Beliefs; the first idea that I wrote about is that “the world is what you believe it to be”. In other words, your core beliefs and ideas color how you see the world. These beliefs are the filters through which you judge new opportunities as they arise. You view these events through the lens of emotions that you attached to previous similar experiences you have had. Consequently, these previous emotions act as triggers. Triggers to the reaction you will have to future opportunities based on your previous similar experiences. As a result, what you believe the world to be is what you create.

How Experience Works

Experience, together with emotion, is a natural process in the brain which is meant to keep you safe. However, if you do not process these emotions and let them go; you will find that you are not able to open yourself up to experience similar opportunities in different ways. So, your are allowing your past to determine your present. As a result, you end up repeating the past in endless cycles of the same behavior and experience. If you allow this to carry on, by not making different choices in your reactions to experience; you’ll never get the opportunity to have a different, more empowered life.

In more extreme circumstances, these beliefs can also cause ill health. This results from the stress caused by the frustration of struggling. Consequently, failing to break out of these life cycles keeps you stuck in an unhealthy state of mind.

Emotions are the flavor of your experiences. As a result, they allow you to decide what action to take in response to the experience. They cause movement (e-motion). Once you have gone through the emotion, you should learn from it, let it go and move on.

How Do You Identify Your Limiting Belief?

The first step in overcoming is to identify any individual limiting belief. This process involves being honest with yourself and questioning what you really believe about a wide range of subjects. Decide what your core beliefs are on each of these subjects. As a result, you can understand how these beliefs are moving you forward or holding you back. Go with your gut and your heart, they will never let you down. Make a list of your beliefs on any subject you can think of.

Understand Your Limiting Belief.

Now that you have identified the limiting beliefs holding you back, it is time to really dig in. Consider your list and ask yourself if that belief is reasonable and truth for you. Or, on the other hand, is it someone else’s belief that you have taken on which doesn’t make sense to you anymore. Go through your list, one belief at a time, and decide whether each belief is reasonable or not. Write down which ones push you forward and which ones hold you back.

You Don’t Have to Accept Gifts

Remember, a limiting belief is a thought. For example, the first time you had that thought it may have been appropriate to the circumstances at the time. Maybe someone else told you it was the truth and they had influence over you at the time. I have found over the years that my client’s limiting beliefs often are gifts. Others gave these gifts to them, (sometimes with a lot of love). But that they didn’t know they had a choice of whether to accept them or not.

If you follow the above steps you will be able to isolate and question any limiting belief holding you back. Subsequently, you can go through a process to change these beliefs into something that makes more sense to you now. Then simply decide to replace the old belief with something more fitting. Try to be in the present moment and have a more positive outlook.

Limiting Beliefs Workbook.

I have complied a PDF workbook as a companion to my book; Hit Refresh Now – 7 Easy Steps to Overcoming Your Limiting Beliefs. This is available as a free download on our bonuses page. You are most welcome to download it here and give it a go. This will help you go through the process of identifying your limiting beliefs. Moreover, this download is a complete guide for identifying any belief that gets in the way of your best life.

Most of all I want you to remember; you are not defined as the sum total of all of the experiences you have had up until now. You are a divine being of infinite love, with unlimited potential that you can revert to whenever you decide to. Experiences are just that, experiences, nothing more or less. They are not good or bad. The thoughts and emotions we attach to them color them and add context for storage in our memories.

Do not allow them to become triggers that keep you from living the wonderful life you want and deserve. Push past these self-inflicted limitations. Encourage positive thinking in your daily life and go after what you want to achieve. Don’t allow negative experiences to hold you back.

Use the Law of Evidence.

In most countries, if someone is charged in a court of law; the court doesnt allow any previous convictions as evidence to prove that the accused is guilty. The law says that, just because he was convicted before, it doesn’t mean that he is guilty this time too. The case must be judged on the facts of the case at hand. So why do you think that because an experience wasn’t the best, all similar experiences will be the same. Just tell yourself that you wont allow the previous evidence and open yourself up to a different result. Allow your full potential to materialize and focus on the positive.

Okay so now you have identified your particular limiting beliefs, so what’s next?

If you remove these limiting beliefs, you leave space in your mind. Space for new beliefs to take the place of those beliefs that don’t support you anymore. Moreover, Empty space can’t exist in your mind and will always be filled. So if you are not careful and don’t create new thought habits; the old beliefs will creep back into your mind and continue to influence your behavior.

It’s all about forming the right habits. For instance, self talk is important in supporting the new ideas and conscious mindfulness. This will help you to make a habit of making the new thought patterns permanent.

Allow Yourself Time to Make Changes.

When you always think the same thoughts, your brain creates neural pathways along which thoughts travel. Different thoughts make different pathways and the old pathways will fade in time. It takes time to make the new pathways and to take traffic away from the old paths. Therefore, this means that you have to be patient with yourself. Slipping into old thought patterns can easily happen, when you are changing to your new positive thought patterns.

When you catch yourself slipping into old patterns, this is a positive thing. It means that the mind is reminding you of your choice to change and it is looking after you. Be kind to yourself when this happens. So, just decide to be more dedicated to your new beliefs.

Reframe to Overcome a Limiting Belief and Create a New Belief.

There is a very important connection between fear and excitement. The chemistry in the brain that takes place when you feel fear and excitement is almost the same. Although the areas in the brain where these 2 reactions happen are different; the chemicals released and your physical feelings are very similar.

Fear and Excitement

When you are afraid of something; you instinctively try to avoid it by either fighting it, or running away from it. When you feel excited by something you feel an anticipation which pushes you towards the thing you are excited about.

If you could convince the brain that you are not afraid, but excited about a thought or experience; this would change your emotions about it from negative to positive.

You can use the fact that the subconscious mind cant tell the difference between a real and an imagined event; to imagine that you are excited about an experience. In other words, this will change your emotions about it from negative to positive. Or from fear to excitement.

Using Excitement to Replace Fear.

If your self-talk were to be, “I am not going to be afraid of this experience; I want to be excited at the possibilities of having a new learning experience. For example, one that will make me grow towards the life I desire”. That would be something fantastic! If you were able to maintain this as a habit, it would soon change your life. Maybe this is something that you could even try to say out loud for yourself.

Reframing recurring challenges will open your mind. It will and start developing different choices to create a better, more fulfilling life for you. Reframing can be used, not just to help you overcome limiting beliefs, but in all areas of your life. For instance, this creates better life experiences and stop learned, unhelpful defense mechanisms from kicking in unconsciously as negative thoughts.

FAQ about What is a Limiting Belief.

Here are some frequently asked questions about what is a limiting belief? As you go through these common questions asked by others; you will realize that there are lots of people out there just like you. So you dont need to feel alone or feel like there is anything wrong with you. Limiting beliefs are common and can be dealt with by looking at them. Look at them through the lens of what you want to achieve. By building more appropriate beliefs you can move on to better things.

Q: What is a limiting belief?

A: A limiting belief is a thought or belief that holds you back. As a result, it keeps you from reaching your full potential. It is an erroneous belief that limits your perspective, actions, and achievements in various areas of life.

Q: How do limiting beliefs impact us?

A: Limiting beliefs impact you in several ways. For instance, they can hinder personal growth, limit opportunities, and create recurring challenges in different aspects of your life. These negative beliefs act as self-imposed barriers, preventing you from living a fulfilling life and reaching your true potential.

Q: How can I identify my limiting beliefs?

A: To identify your limiting beliefs, you need to work on your self-awareness. Pay attention to your thoughts, attitudes, and recurring negative patterns in your life. Reflect on areas where you feel stuck or encounter difficulties. By examining your beliefs and thought patterns, you can begin to uncover self-limiting beliefs that may be holding you back.

Q: What are some examples of limiting beliefs?

A: Limiting beliefs can manifest in various forms. Examples of limiting beliefs include statements like; “I’m not good enough,” “I can’t trust others,” or “I’ll never succeed”. They can also take the form of self-doubt, fear of failure, or negative self-talk like “I’m not deserving of happiness.”

Q: How do beliefs affect us in general?

A: Beliefs affect your thoughts, emotions, and actions. They shape your perception of yourself, others, and the world around you. Beliefs often act as filters through which you interpret and respond to life experiences. Positive beliefs empower you, while limiting beliefs keep you from exploring new opportunities and realizing your full potential.

Q: Why is it important to overcome limiting beliefs?

A: Overcoming limiting beliefs is crucial because they hold you back from living your best life. By letting go of self-limiting beliefs, you open yourself up to new possibilities, personal growth, and greater fulfillment. Overcoming these beliefs empowers you to take risks, challenge yourself, and create a better, more fulfilling future.

Q: How can I overcome my limiting beliefs?

A: There are several ways to overcome limiting beliefs. Start by identifying your limiting beliefs and questioning their validity. Reframe them into more empowering and positive beliefs. Practice positive affirmations and focus on the positive aspects of yourself and your life. Work on changing your state of mind through mindfulness, self-improvement practices, and seeking support from others.

Q: Can limiting beliefs be changed?

A: Limiting beliefs can be changed. While they may have been deeply ingrained, it’s important to remember that beliefs are not facts. By challenging and replacing limiting beliefs with new, empowering beliefs; you can change your perspective and create a positive shift in your life.

Q: How can changing my beliefs change my life?

A: Changing your beliefs can have a profound impact on your life. When you adopt new, empowering beliefs, you’ll begin to see the world through a different lens. Positive thinking and self-belief will open up new opportunities, improve relationships, enhance your self-confidence. This will enable you to overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable.

Q: Can limiting beliefs serve us in any way?

A: While limiting beliefs may seem counterproductive, they can serve you in some way. Sometimes, they act as defense mechanisms, protecting you from perceived risks or failures. However, it’s important to recognize when these beliefs no longer serve your best interests; you need to work towards replacing them with more positive and empowering beliefs.

Q: What are some tips for overcoming limiting beliefs?

A: To overcome limiting beliefs, start by acknowledging and challenging them. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Focus on personal growth and self-improvement. Surround yourself with supportive and positive influences. Practice resilience and push past your comfort zone. As a result, by consistently working on changing your beliefs, you can break free from self-imposed limitations and live a more fulfilling life.

Q: Any final thoughts on limiting beliefs?

A: Limiting beliefs are common and can affect everyone to some extent. They often start developing from a young age based on your life experiences and the beliefs you adopt. However, the truth is that you have the power to change them. By recognizing and challenging your self-limiting beliefs, you can open your mind. This gives new possibilities. Possibilities to overcome obstacles and unlock your full potential to create a life filled with growth and success.

Understand That You Are Enough.

First year psychology students are taught that the root cause of most illnesses like depression; are a fundamental belief in the person with the illness, that they are not enough. This stems from the fears caused by their limiting beliefs and their lack of self-worth. These people think that they are unworthy of love and certainly lack self-love.

In response to this; I want you to realise that if you didnt exist, neither would the universe as it is today. That is how critical your existance is to all of creation. Your life is an intergral part of existance. To such an extent that if you didnt exist the world and the universe would be a completely different place.

What is Life?

Life is: Love – In – Full – Expression. Your life is no different to any other. You are Love in full expression just the same as any other life.

Your experiences and a limiting belief does not define you. The whole of the universe is contained in your being. Nothing is off limits to you .

Thoughts, Moods, Habits and Your Personality

Remember that thoughts continuously repeated create a mood. A prolonged mood creates a habit. A habit repeated creates a personality and soon your personality defines your life. All of this originates from thought, so watch your thoughts and be aware of your thinking patterns.

Do you mind about your thought patterns, if you do mind, then change your mind.

Become aware of your thought patterns and consciously change them. This creates positive moods, habits and a personality that will lead you to create the life you want. Be that full expression of love that you were born to be. Plan to be fearless. Each day of your life do something that you have never done before. These could be things that you fear, but do them anyway. They don’t have to be great things. But great men are built by small deeds, even the smallest step is progress. Switch from fear to excitement and just do it (like Nike).

Use positive affirmations like “I am valuable”, “I am enough”. Write these down. Put them up where you see them first thing in the morning and last thing at night. When you read them feel the emotion that goes with these words. Be grateful for the part that you play in making the world and the universe what it is.

Final Thoughts: Take Action and Change Your Life.

It is important for you to remember that at the stage in your life when your limiting beliefs were created; at some level they became beliefs because at some level they served your needs and they were created through love. That hasn’t changed because they no longer serve you. Because you now understand that they do not serve you; you can let them go and replace them with more fitting ideas that better serve your life plan.

Your life deserves a conscious decision by you as to what you want it to be like. If you don’t visualize what you want your life to be like; you are not creating it consciously. Then you have to accept whatever you are given. The universe does not create what you want, it creates what you are. If your thoughts and emotions are creating limiting beliefs; you won’t break out of the repeating cycle of the same experience, unless you change them.

What is truth?

The truth is subjective. What is truth for you based on your experience might not be truth for me based on my experiences. If you want to change your truth, change your experience by changing your thoughts and emotions. Build better habits and when you experience fear, look at it and understand why you are fearful. Once you understand why you are fearful; think about how you can get excited about the possibilities of the situation you face. How could a different intent create a different outcome?

If you can make a conscious habit of this type by switching thought patterns; your limiting beliefs will have nowhere to stay. This is because their place will have been taken by thoughts that serve your life goals. These positive thoughts help you to visualize the life you want.

To overcome your limiting beliefs; you have to take responsibility for your thoughts and the emotions that you allow yourself to experience. More than that, you have to take responsibility for your choices. Also the outcomes that you create in your life. If you can work on your self-awareness in this way; there is no reason why you cant be successful in changing your life.

You are Enough!

My final thoughts for you are that you are enough and you deserve love. Please take the time to go through the steps in this article. Make the changes you want in your life. You have nothing to lose. If you would like to download the free Limiting Beliefs pdf Workbook you can get it here.

Please feel free to share any stories of change you may have. You never know – your story may just be the inspiration that someone, somewhere needs to make changes in their life. You can e-mail me via the contact page on this website.