What are limiting beliefs?
Ever said something like, “I’m no good for this,” or “I can’t do that?” These are examples of limiting beliefs that hold you back and constrain you from living your fullest potential. Read further if you want to know how to rise above your limiting beliefs and live your best life ever.
A limiting belief is a way of thinking, an opinion, or an idea that you have about yourself that you think is true that limits you from who you really are. It could be about you or your world.
A limiting belief can have several negative effects on you and your life. They can keep you from moving forward, making decisions, taking the right action, and reaching your fullest potential. Eventually, limiting beliefs can keep you stuck and hold you back from living your best life.
Rise above your limiting beliefs
To rise above your limiting beliefs, first and foremost, you have to identify your limiting beliefs. A limiting belief is something you have convinced yourself that you can’t do, you don’t want to do, you shouldn’t do, you won’t do, or are not. The thing is that these limiting beliefs are keeping you from attracting what you do want.
Let’s say you have a strong desire to make the world a better place. Now think about all those beliefs of how you can’t do this, you don’t have what it takes, you shouldn’t, you will never, you are not good enough blah blah blah.
I have a strong desire to serve and teach. I am, therefore, a volunteer for the Art of Living foundation founded by Ravi Shankar. A few weeks ago, I was invited to an online Volunteer Training Program. The training would be held over two consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM -10 PM)) with five days of volunteer work in between.
My mind immediately rejected this idea. “I can’t do this; I don’t have enough time for this, I shouldn’t do this, I am not going to do this, I won’t do this.” No, no, no. Lots of no’s.
Identify your limiting beliefs
I can’t
The easiest way to identify your limiting beliefs is to observe the words you use. By saying, “I can’t take this course, I closed off all possibilities; I was letting the Universe know I will never do this. Saying “I can’t” is very negative and it takes away all hope and faith and instills a lack of confidence in your subconscious mind. Whenever you catch yourself saying, “I can’t,” immediately turn it around and write down the same statement but with “I can,” even if you don’t believe it yet.
I don’t
Another one of those words you have to be on the watch for is “I don’t.” Most of us say it more often than we realize. “I don’t have the time; I don’t have the money, I don’t want to take the course.” When I said, “I don’t,” I was coming from a place of lack and negativity, and it was keeping me from what at the bottom of my heart I wanted.
I shouldn’t
Another interesting one to be aware of is, “I shouldn’t.” “I shouldn’t” is sugar-coated with doubt. It is not as obvious as “I don’t” and “I won’t,” but it surely is doubting your next move and your next step; it is doubting if this is the right path for you, questioning your intuition and perhaps having a feeling that this might not be good for you. “I shouldn’t” is negative and blocks your natural flow and should be observed.
I am not
“I am not” is the mother of all doubt. Every time you say I am not, you are reinforcing what you are not. So any time you catch yourself, saying, “I am not,” gently shift it to “I am.” “We have to call the things that are not as if they already were” and not beat the drum of what we are not. Refuse to say I AM NOT by all means.
I won’t
Last but not least, there is “I won’t.” Whenever you say this, you are telling yourself and the Universe you will never. Whenever you say, you will never, this is what the Universe will show you, this is what your experience will be, Never!
Turn your limiting beliefs around
In my volunteer training case, I wasn’t even aware of what I was telling myself and to the Universe. I was so convinced and trapped in my thoughts I didn’t even notice that my mind was saying, “I can’t do this, I don’t have enough time for this, I shouldn’t do this, I am not going to do this, I won’t do this.” I wasn’t aware of all the nos, the negative, and limiting beliefs I was telling myself.
One week before the training, I received an out-of-the-blue call from a friend, and right before hanging up, he mentioned the course and told me it would be perfect for me, and I would enjoy it. And it had me thinking.
It felt as if the Universe was yelling girl, “take the damn course already,” and the other part of me was screaming, “hell no, absolutely not.” But thanks to a moment of silence, I was able to see from a broader perspective and see what I was telling myself.
The moment I noticed these limiting beliefs, it was game time. I gently switched my words around; I told myself, “I am willing to reconsider this.” “I am willing to see the opportunity.” “I am willing to see this from a different light.” There is so much power in being willing. Being willing opens the door, and the next thing I know, I was registered for the course.… and voila! And what a game-changer it was.
The Key to turning limiting beliefs around
The key is to observe your mind, watch your thoughts, notice your words, pay attention to the conversations you have with yourself day in day out. If you want to see changes in any area of your life, it starts with you. You have the answer to all your questions. You are responsible for what you send out to the Universe and what comes back to you. You are a powerful being. Take control of your life.
Your words have tremendous power. May your words be to bless yourself and the world. So let’s make a promise to not utter a single negative word about yourself and your world in the next five days.
Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you were able to keep your promise. I would love to hear from you.
Conclusion
To rise above your limiting beliefs you want to:
- Know what limiting beliefs are
- Identify your limiting beliefs
- Turn your limiting beliefs around