10+ Self-Limiting Beliefs, What They Are, and How to Overcome Them

If self-limiting beliefs are a problem for you, then this post is going to be a really helpful one. We’re going to talk about self-limiting beliefs and how they can be overcome. Plus we’ll provide examples of self-limiting beliefs that you may have had in the past!

In this post you'll find:

What are Self Limiting Beliefs?
Why do I have self-limiting beliefs?
How to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs
Common Examples of Self-Limiting Beliefs
What are self-limiting behaviors?
What about a limiting mindset? What is that?
How to Take Action When You Doubt Yourself

What are Self Limiting Beliefs?

Self-limiting beliefs are a type of belief that holds you back from achieving your goals. They can keep you trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and hesitation. Oftentimes, self-limiting beliefs are based on irrational thoughts or fears.

It’s important to work on overcoming your self-limiting beliefs because they can keep you from achieving your dreams. If you let them, self-limiting beliefs will control your life and hold you back from becoming the best version of yourself.

Why do I have self-limiting beliefs?

There are a few different reasons why you may have self-limiting beliefs. These beliefs usually develop during childhood or adolescence. You may have been told that you weren’t good enough back then, or that you couldn’t do something in particular, and it affected you on a subconscious level.

You may also develop self-limiting beliefs as adults. This could be due to a traumatic experience or failure of some sort, especially in completing something important. Or maybe you’ve just been telling yourself that you’re not capable of something for so long that you start to believe it!

How to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs

There are a few different ways that you can work on overcoming your self-limiting beliefs. The first step is recognizing that you have them! Once you’ve identified the specific beliefs that are holding you back, then it’s time to start working on overcoming them.

Here are a few tips for how to do that:

1. Acknowledge the belief

The first step is acknowledging that you have a self-limiting belief. This may be difficult, but it’s important to identify what’s holding you back. You can do this by writing down your thoughts and feelings about something negative you believe about yourself. Think about a few of the goals you have in life right now. What are the negative thoughts that come up around completing these goals? These are your self-limiting beliefs.

2. Challenge the belief

After you’ve acknowledged the belief, it’s time to start challenging it. This can be done by questioning the beliefs’ validity. Are they really true? What evidence do you have that supports this belief? For example, if you believe that you’re not good enough for something you desire, ask yourself why. What evidence suggests this or backs up this claim? What evidence do you have that negates the belief? Think back to a time when you felt unworthy but were able to accomplish a goal of yours. How did it make you feel? Can you do that again?

3. Replace the belief

Once you’ve challenged and questioned the validity of the self-limiting belief, it’s time to start replacing it with a more positive belief. This may take some time and practice, but it’s important to start filling your mind with positive thoughts.

For example, if you believe that you’re not good enough for something you desire, start thinking about all the things that make you special and unique. What are your talents? What do people compliment you on the most? Focus on your strengths and remind yourself of them daily. This will help you build your self-esteem so you can begin to see how worthy you are of your desires.

4. Practice self-compassion

Finally, practice self-compassion. This means being kind and understanding towards yourself when things don’t go your way. Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes occasionally. When this happens, be gentle with yourself and forgive yourself. Remember that you’re doing the best you can and that’s good enough.

If you need help, try this exercise. When you fail at something or simply are wallowing in your limiting beliefs, write an encouraging letter to yourself as if you were your best friend. You wouldn’t talk to your friend in the same manner that you talk to yourself, we’re too harsh on ourselves. Read this letter to yourself in a kind, loving manner.

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Common Examples of Self-Limiting Beliefs

There are a lot of different self-limiting beliefs that people can have, but here are some of the most common ones:

I’m not good enough
I’m not smart enough
I’m not pretty enough
I don’t deserve it
I can’t do it
It’s too hard
I’m too fat/skinny/unfit
I’ll never get it done
I don’t have enough experience
I’m bound to fail, again

If you struggle with any of these beliefs, know that you’re not alone. Many people deal with self-limiting beliefs on a daily basis. Especially after a failure or two. But remember, you can overcome them! With practice and determination, you can work on replacing these negative thoughts with positive ones. And eventually, they’ll become a thing of the past and won’t lead to self-limiting behaviors.

What are self-limiting behaviors?

Self-limiting beliefs often lead to self-limiting behaviors. These are the things that we do because of our beliefs. For example, if you believe that you’re not good enough for something, you may be less likely to try. Or if you believe that you can’t do something, you may be less likely to attempt it.

These behaviors can hold us back in life and prevent us from reaching our goals. It’s important to be aware and acknowledge these behaviors so we can limit them in our daily lives.

Some common self-limiting behaviors are:

Avoiding new experiences or activities
Procrastinating
Self-sabotaging behavior
Giving up easily
Doubting yourself

What about a limiting mindset? What is that?

A limiting mindset is similar to a self-limiting belief, but it’s more general. It refers to the way we view the world and our place in it. A limiting mindset can be more difficult to overcome but is necessary to work on as it can prevent you from manifesting the things you desire.

Some signs of a limiting mindset are:

Seeing the world in black-and-white terms
Having a fixed view of things
Judging others harshly
Being intolerant of different viewpoints
Feeling like you’re not good enough or deserving enough

How do I know if my mindset is limiting me?

If you’re not sure whether or not your mindset is limiting you, ask yourself these questions:

Do I see the world in black-and-white terms?
Do I have a fixed view of things?
Do I judge others for their actions that I disagree with?
Am I intolerant of different viewpoints?
Do I feel like I’m not good enough or deserving enough?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s likely that your mindset is limiting you.

If you think you may have a limiting mindset, it’s important to be aware of it and work on changing it. With time and effort, you can start viewing the world in a more positive light and start achieving your goals.

How to Take Action When You Doubt Yourself

When you doubt yourself, it can be difficult to take action. But it’s important to remember that inaction is the enemy of progress. Here are a few tips for taking action when you doubt yourself:

– Make a list of your accomplishments: This can help remind you of all the things you’ve achieved in the past. It can also help boost your confidence and make you feel more capable.

– Talk to someone else: When you’re feeling doubtful, talking to someone that you trust and value can help put things into perspective. Ask them for their opinion or advice and see what they have to say.

– Visualize success: Visualize yourself succeeding at whatever it is you’re trying to do. See yourself overcoming any obstacles in your way and achieving your goal. This can help give you the boost you need to take action.

– Take small steps: When you’re feeling doubtful, it can be helpful to take small steps instead of trying to do everything all at once. This will make achieving your goals feel less overwhelming and more manageable.

– Make a plan: Having a plan can help give you direction and make it easier to take action. Make a list of the steps you need to take and how you’re going to accomplish your goal.

– Just do it: Sometimes the best way to overcome doubt is just to go for it! Don’t overthink things, just dive in and see what happens. You may be surprised at what you’re capable of.

The best way to overcome your self-limiting beliefs is to be aware of them and work on overcoming them. With time and effort, you can start achieving your goals and reaching your full potential!