What Are Self-Limiting Beliefs? How To Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs?

“I’m too old/young for this job”

“I don’t have enough time to invest in myself”

“I don’t have the experience to be one of the best on the team”

Have you ever fallen victim to such thoughts and beliefs? Well, these are some examples of self-limiting beliefs that can stop you from experiencing the success you deserve. Self-limiting beliefs can stem from the various experiences that you’ve had in your life.

Self-limiting beliefs can handicap you and make you perform in a poor fashion. It stops you from taking risks and achieving your goals. Have you ever wondered what Self-limiting beliefs are and why you develop these self-limited beliefs?

Let’s find out…

What Do You Mean By Self-Limiting Beliefs?

Self-limiting beliefs are those beliefs that you hold as a critical evaluation of your abilities and shortcomings. These beliefs are generated when you focus mainly on your failures or what some people said about you in the past.

In my understanding, self-limiting beliefs develop when you start evaluating yourself on the basis of what others think of you. I am sure you must have come across many people who were cynical about you and your capabilities.

When you start taking such people seriously you automatically start developing self-limiting beliefs. Self-limiting beliefs usually attack your self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence, etc. Basically, your personal growth and mental well-being are hampered and disturbed when you indulge in self-limiting beliefs.

Examples Of Self-Limiting Beliefs & Its Consequences

Self-limiting beliefs	Consequences of self-limiting beliefs
1. I have no power!	1. Don’t take a stand for yourself when needed.
2. My opinions are of no value	2.Don’t share your opinions even when you’re at a loss
3. I can’t do anything perfectly	3. Experience burnout while running behind perfection
4. I am of no use	4.Don’t participate in growth-promoting activities
5. I’m incapable of expressing my thoughts	5.Easily give in to others

How To Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs?

Since these self-limited beliefs are your creation, you can (with some practice) change such beliefs. Self-limiting beliefs can be dealt with very easily if you practice a few strategies regularly.

Here are 6 effective techniques to get rid of self-limiting beliefs;

1.Identify your limiting beliefs

It’s very important to know which ones are shortcomings and which ones are your self-limiting beliefs. Know when your thoughts stop you from taking risks or engaging in a new venture. If you know your strengths and weaknesses, it’s become very easy to stop self-limiting beliefs.

2.Look for the source of your self-limiting beliefs

Once you have identified your self-limiting beliefs, you need to find the source that feeds these negative beliefs. It can be some incidents or people from the past or a narcissistic person in your present life who has/is doubting your capabilities. Find out when and why you started believing things that have put a limit on your growth

3.Recall incidents that proved these self-limiting beliefs wrong

Since your self-limiting thoughts are only a creation of your brain, there are going to be a lot of instances where you must have proven them wrong. When you start functioning on self-limiting beliefs, try to recall all the times you excelled in things you thought you’ll fail.

4.Replace self-limiting beliefs with something better

Once you have realized that you have fallen victim to self-limiting beliefs, you should try to replace such thoughts.  Replace self-limiting beliefs with productive and motivating beliefs. For example, instead of believing that you’re powerless, believe that you have enough power to do the best you can for yourself.

5.Have short-term goals

When you fall prey to self-limiting beliefs, achieving your goals becomes very difficult. To overcome self-limiting beliefs you will have to challenge and defeat such beliefs. To do that take a practical approach and make short-term goals to reach your final goal. With success in each short-term goal, your self-limiting beliefs will gradually fade away.

6.Practice reinforcements

Another technique that you can use to get rid of self-limiting beliefs is to trick your brain. Try indulging in reinforcement after a very short-term goal is achieved, this will trick your brain into believing that you are capable enough to be awarded something. This immediate gratification will motivate you to keep going and not give in to self-limiting beliefs.

That’s All Folks!

I hope you found this blog about self-limiting beliefs and how to overcome them helpful, informative, and thought-provoking. Do share this blog with your friends and family so that we can all easily identify self-limiting thoughts and know how to get rid of self-limiting beliefs.

Thanks for reading.

Take care and believe in yourself.