When it comes to being successful and winning at things in life, it’s been said that it’s because one had the heart and bravery to make it happen. And with it comes to losing and missing out on things you’ve wanted or desired even when you possess the talent and skills to make it happen, it’s because of limiting beliefs. So, what exactly is meant by a limiting belief? Limiting beliefs means a way of thinking that constrains us…limits us from succeeding or getting to a better place or position in our lives, jobs, or relationships. And unfortunately, these limiting beliefs do exactly what they imply by their name…they greatly limit us. Here are a few examples of limiting beliefs to look out for and be aware of so that you may try to determine them and work on improving your psyche so as not to let these limiting beliefs be so limiting.
Limiting belief of “I do/I don’t”:
Most of the time, we tend to define ourselves by what we do or don’t do. This could mean what you do for a living or what you don’t do when it comes to a relationship. The point is, in limiting yourself to a specific “I do” or “I don’t,” you aren’t opening yourself up to new possibilities.
Limiting belief of “I can’t”:
Much of our life, we base things on the premise of what we can or cannot do without even giving it a second thought. If we think we can’t sing without even attempting to try a few notes or take a few lessons, then we are limiting ourselves greatly. Because of this limiting belief of “I can’t,” we think are abilities are limited and we can’t learn something new.
Limiting Belief of “I must/I mustn’t”:
Values, rules, norms, and laws constrain our thoughts of what we must or mustn’t do. We feel bound by these constraints. However, not all of these constraints are always mandatory, thus limiting us and holding us back as a limiting belief. For instance, if you think you must clean your house every single day with no exception, that deprives you of time you could be spending doing something else more enjoyable or productive.
Limiting Belief of “I am/am not”:
Thinking that you are or are not something can definitely keep you from achieving new and exciting things, whether it be a new profession or even a new relationship. For example, you may conclude that “I am an artist” and therefore conclude that you then are not good at mathematics and science or manual labor. Or perhaps you’re frustrated with the subject of mathematics and therefore determine “I am not intelligent.” When you limit yourself to being something or not being something, you’re limiting the belief that you can’t be something else.
Limiting Belief of “Others are/will”:
We often judge ourselves against the abilities and accomplishments of others around us. And this can be severely limiting. If we think others are more capable or superior to us, then we’ll never try to challenge them or better ourselves. If you can’t get out of the mindset of comparing yourself to what others are doing or saying, then you’ll always be held to the limiting belief that you’ll never be as good as them.
A number of factors help contribute to our limiting beliefs in society. Experience, education, and faulty logic are just a few examples that help hold us back. We use excuses and fear to stay within the realm of these limiting beliefs because we’re afraid of what change may bring if we are actually able to break free from the cycle of limiting ourselves. Just remember, that in order to free yourself from these limiting beliefs, first you much recognize them. Then you can act accordingly and perhaps gradually and finally change what you believe in yourself.