Understanding Limiting Beliefs and How to Overcome Them

“The only real limitation is the one you set for yourself.” – Albert Einstein

You may be one of the many who feel stuck—stuck in your career, stuck in your relationship, stuck in life. “This is just how things are for people like me,” you may tell yourself. However, your limiting beliefs could be the only thing holding you back from living the life you want and truly deserve. Learning to overcome these negative thoughts that limit your growth is the key to moving forward and leaving behind those things in your life that are holding you back.

What Are Limiting Beliefs?

Limiting beliefs are thoughts or ideas that you fully believe are true but withhold you in some way. This way of thinking could be solely about yourself, the world, or your view of reality. These beliefs limit you from living your best life by placing limitations on what you can achieve by putting yourself in a box with no way out.

For some, breaking out of this box feels inescapable. Many people don’t see a way out because their limiting belief system keeps them trapped. Unfortunately, many of us stick to what’s familiar and not what’s better for us. Thinking this way can hold you back from getting that job promotion you want, forming healthy relationships, or finding true happiness by chasing and capturing your dreams.

Some examples of limiting beliefs are:

• I’ll never be wealthy or successful.
• I’m too old to learn a new skill.
• I’m not worthy of love.
• I’m not good enough.
• I can’t lose weight.
• I’m a failure.
• No matter how hard I try, nothing goes right for me.

Most who suffer from limiting beliefs don’t realize they have them. Their perception of the way things are can be horribly skewed and distorted. These ideas about how things are can be deeply rooted, and to the individual, they seem quite normal and encompass their view of reality. This way of thinking makes it difficult to see the world in any other way.

The Sources of Limiting Beliefs

These limiting beliefs can come from many different sources. It’s not uncommon for them to begin in our formative years, usually due to an idea that our parents or grandparents have put in our ears, which influenced how we see ourselves and the world around us. 

Many individuals who grew up in less-than-desirable circumstances have a different view of themselves and the world than those raised differently. Perhaps as a child, you were constantly told that rich people are stingy and entitled. Not wanting to be like them, you could, over time, develop a limiting belief that having wealth is a bad thing, and therefore, due to this belief, you remain struggling paycheck to paycheck.

Another source of limiting beliefs is from your personal experiences. Perhaps you’ve had some difficult romantic relationships that left you feeling unworthy of love. Regardless of the circumstances, these failed relationships could lead you to feel that “you’re the problem,” when perhaps these were just a part of dating and learning about which type of partner is right for you.

How Limiting Beliefs Impact Your Life

Limiting beliefs can negatively affect all aspects of your life. What you may feel is something that’s just out of your control and is to be accepted without doubt is most likely your biggest stumbling block. For some, these negative beliefs are a defense mechanism to protect ourselves from the pain and disappointment of not getting something we want.

• Personal life: Limiting beliefs can lead to low self-esteem and low confidence. To have healthy relationships, romantic or otherwise, an individual must feel worthy of love and friendship.
• Professional life: A belief that you aren’t meant to be successful in your chosen career is a sure way to ensure that you don’t advance in your job or find any satisfaction in performing your duties.
• Emotional health: This is where limiting beliefs can impact an individual in the most destructive ways. There’s a connection between limiting beliefs and an increase in anxiety, stress, and depression.

Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

Those with limiting beliefs may not even realize that they have them. If you’re not achieving the things you want in life, you could be one of the many who haven’t come to the realization that it’s not just bad luck or a lack of motivation; it’s your own thinking that is holding you back.

There are many different ways to identify that you have limiting beliefs. Introspection is a good way to understand how you think, how you view yourself, and what your view of the world is. Practicing mindfulness can help you take a moment to look deep within yourself and listen to your inner dialog. If it’s of a negative nature, understand that you can change the conversation.

Journaling your thoughts can also help to identify this destructive type of thinking. Signs of limiting beliefs can include:

• Procrastination
• Self-sabotage
• Making excuses for inaction
• Blaming yourself for the misfortune of others

Strategies to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

No matter where your limiting beliefs stem from, it is possible to overcome them. Identifying them may be challenging, and it may take some time to see the light, but once you do, you’ll see that you’re in control of your destiny. If you don’t overcome this inner negativity and self-limiting thoughts, living the kind of life you deserve will be nearly impossible.

Fortunately, there are many different strategies to help overcome limiting beliefs. Here are a few of the most beneficial ones:

• Awareness and acceptance: The first step toward eliminating limiting beliefs is knowing you have them. Acceptance of these false beliefs can help motivate you to correct them. Being aware of a problem is necessary if you want to correct it. Notice when you have a limiting thought and consider why you think it occurred.
• Visualization: Visualizing the life you want is an easy way to overcome limiting beliefs. The mind is a powerful tool for achieving goals. If you can imagine something positive happening in your life, you are more open to making it happen.
• Positive affirmations: Reinforcing positive thinking can help to reduce negative thoughts. Repeating positive affirmations and self-talk several times a day can help to change your inner dialog. Phrases like “I am worthy of love and success” can improve your self-esteem.
• Set goals: Setting small goals is an excellent way to break out of the pattern of limited thinking. Celebrate your victories and set bigger goals. The feeling of accomplishment by achieving even a small goal can help to reinforce a more positive belief system.
• Mentoring and life coaching: Seeking out a mentor or even just surrounding yourself with successful, positive people can help change how you think. For a more intensive experience, working with a professional life coach can help to produce results much quicker.

Understand Limiting Beliefs and Taking Control of Your Life

As we say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Changing how you think and view the world isn’t something that will happen overnight. However, with some daily work and acknowledgment of the issue, you can change your life. Even simply understanding that your limiting beliefs are holding you back will help you to move forward.

If you feel stuck in your career or want to take the leap into entrepreneurship, Ryan Niddel is ready to help you take control of your destiny. Ryan is not only the CEO of MIT45, but he also sits on the board of many successful companies. As a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader, he is passionate about helping guide those who want to improve their careers and personal lives.