Do you have dreams that you think will never be fulfilled?
Do you think that you will never reach your goals? Does it feel as if something is always holding you back? It makes you wonder, what is this mysterious something that is holding you back?
It is nothing but your own limiting beliefs. For everything that goes wrong in our lives, we try to put the blame on others or on external circumstances. But actually, the only person that you should blame is you. You don’t want to go against other people’s expectations, you don’t want to take the risk you don’t have the guts to say what you really want.
You can script your own destiny. But for that to happen you must first get rid of your limiting beliefs.
What are limiting beliefs?
1.Limiting beliefs are negative thoughts that hinder our journey towards achieving our goals.
We are always looking for excuses for not doing things we want to do. Some examples are:
- I am not good enough.
- I am not talented enough.
- I am too old.
- I am not good-looking
Here’s the good news. By changing our mindset we can change these negative thoughts into more optimistic beliefs.
What are the origins of our limiting beliefs?
These unconscious thoughts appear as defence mechanisms to avoid failure and disappointment. Something that happened in the past had a negative effect. When faced with a similar situation in the present, your subconscious mind tells you to avoid it.
Personal experiences can cause limiting beliefs.
A personal trauma like a partner cheating on you might make you want to avoid all relationships in the future.
There are also beliefs imposed on us by society_ such as, certain professions are not suitable for girls.
Some limiting beliefs are caused by cultural prescriptions. For instance, in Indian society it is believed that a girl needs to be fair-skinned in order to find a husband.
Discover Yourself
Self-discovery is the most important step in transformation.
The first thing you need to do is to find out who you are and what you want.
- What are the goals you wish to achieve?
- What is your biggest dream?
- What are you passionate about?
How to Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs
Now that you know that your limiting beliefs are stopping you from achieving all that you desire, how will you overcome your limiting beliefs?
- Identify what they are
Ask yourself these questions:
In what areas am I afraid to take action?
Do I blame myself for everything that goes wrong?
What is stopping me from doing the things I want?
- Recognize the consequences
What are the damaging consequences of holding on to these beliefs?
- Challenge your beliefs
You can do this by looking for evidence that contradicts your beliefs. If the beliefs are about your own abilities, find qualities in yourself that prove them wrong.
- Change your behaviour
Behave in a way that contradicts your belief. For instance, if you think you have no social skills, attend more social events, or join an activity where you will be surrounded by people.
- Reinforce positive beliefs
Self-talk is very important, because whatever you say to yourself, the mind always listens. Say positive things to yourself, which will act as a message to your subconscious mind.
Change Your Mindset
Your mindset is the way you think. Train your mind to think positive thoughts instead of negative. The only person who can change your life is the person you see in the mirror. Changing your mindset can change your destiny.
Reinforce Positive Beliefs
Repeat affirmations every day. Affirmations are short sentences you repeat to yourself to boost your self-esteem, such as:
- I am confident and strong
- I am intelligent and capable
- I succeed in everything I set out to do
If you practise daily, you will be able to change your entire mental make-up. This will pave the way to transformation.
5. Look for the excuses you made for not doing the things you wanted to do _ you will discover your limiting beliefs.
6. How to overcome your limiting beliefs
a) Identify what they are
b) Recognize that it is just a belief founded on fantasies,which sometimes turn out to be completely untrue.
c) challenge your belief – are there any supporting facts?
Collect evidence to counteract the belief.
Did I always think this way?