Why do we tell ourselves these things? Where does that little voice come from? This is known as a self-limiting belief.<\/p>\n
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What Is A Self-limiting Belief?<\/h2>\n
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Photo by Daniel Mingook Kim<\/a>\u00a0on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Self-limiting beliefs are negative self-perceptions that have formed over years – from early childhood onward \u2013 as a result of previous experiences, comments from others, the values and beliefs of our friends, family, and society, or even the media.<\/p>\n They are not facts. They are simply beliefs that we individually hold to be true about ourselves. They stop us from making a change, seeing opportunities, seeing the positive things of life, and ultimately, living a life that truly makes us excited.<\/p>\n And they\u2019re natural – in fact, our brains are wired this way<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Dane Deaner<\/a>\u00a0on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n To protect us, the human brain naturally focuses more on the negative. Historically, it has served us more. The same function that warned your ancestor that he shouldn’t cross that river, is what is holding you back and stopping you from achieving what you desire.<\/p>\n Since our brain has been programmed like this over thousands of years, these patterns are difficult to change. If the brain detects potential danger, it will activate your defense mechanism until you are safe – emotionally and physically. However, what’s important to understand is that it doesn’t differentiate between real danger and perceived danger. More about the science behind the evolution of our brain habits in this great podcast<\/a> by Kara Loewentheil.<\/p>\n The good news is that you can change this internal voice and start going for what you want in life. While our brains may be wired to hold onto, and reinforce, these negative perceptions and beliefs, you don\u2019t have to accept them as facts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCourage is your natural setting. You do not need to become courageous, but rather peel back the layers of self-protective, limiting beliefs that keep you small.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n – Vironika Tugaleva<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Aron Visuals<\/a>\u00a0on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The following are some of the most common self-limiting beliefs<\/a> that hold us back<\/p>\n Do any of these sound familiar? How about the words \u201cI can\u2019t\u201d or \u201cI won\u2019t\u201d? Add to that the fear of judgment, fear of rejection, fear of failure, or fear of success, and it starts to paint a very unmotivating mental picture.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry, these are common and natural. Everyone has doubts about themselves. Even people who have achieved tremendous success confess that they still are struggling with toxic self-limiting beliefs<\/a>. But when those doubts become the soundtrack of your life, it’s time to start backing yourself, working to silence those negative perceptions, and embracing all that you are capable of!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Jordan Madrid<\/a><\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Start by identifying and keeping track of your self-limiting beliefs. Remember that the only limitations are the ones we set up in our minds. And those can be changed! When self-doubt or excuses start creeping in, ask yourself: is this the truth or is this a belief?<\/p>\n Write your limiting beliefs down. Learn to identify these thoughts when they arise and recognize how past traumas have influenced them<\/strong>. Once you\u2019ve identified your self-limiting beliefs, you can work at changing them!<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt took me many years to realize that the reason I made bad grades was not because I was a bad writer, but because I never stuck to the assignments. I was the kid who, instead of writing an essay about George Washington, wrote a sci-fi fan fiction imagining that the US government was founded by aliens as an experiment in human democracy. The teachers hated it. But it\u2019s that \u201coutside the box\u201d thinking that actually made me a\u00a0good\u00a0writer.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n – Mark Manson<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Photo by KAL VISUALS<\/a>\u00a0on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Is a fear of heights holding you back from a grand adventure? Or, has an early heartbreak left you with a fear of rejection? Learn to identify these patterns and practice reframing those stories into more positive versions e.g., \u201cI am worthy of love\u201d and \u201cI am ready for an epic adventure and ready to face challenges head-on!\u201d<\/p>\n Reframe self-limiting beliefs and upgrade those negatives to positives about your life. You\u2019ll feel better and more motivated because of it. The refrain of \u201cI don\u2019t have time to start a side-line business\u201d, could be reframed into \u201cWhile time may be finite, my passion and priorities are focused on the new business.\u201d There is always an excuse or reason to stay in our comfort zone, but growth and change don\u2019t happen there!<\/p>\n For a bit of extra motivation, watch Hugh Jackman \u2013 Wolverine, himself – discuss his fears and self-limiting beliefs, how he identified them, and worked to change his narrative. <\/em><\/p>\n – Maddy Malhotra<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Nathan Dumlao<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Much of what we tell ourselves are things that we\u2019d never, in our wildest nightmares, consider saying to those closest to us. That\u2019s because we have love, compassion, and respect for our loved ones. Why then, do we say this to ourselves?<\/p>\n Treat yourself as you would treat your best friend! Be kind, tell yourself stories of upliftment, encouragement, and faith.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFriendship with oneself is all-important because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n – Eleanor Roosevelt<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Green Chameleon<\/a>\u00a0on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Oh, our busy, busy brains! Mindfulness, being present and attentive, and observing our thoughts without judgment allows us to identify those self-limiting beliefs when they pop up, to see them for what they are – less than truth – and to respond with clarity and intention rather than out of habit.<\/p>\n \u201cChange the voices in your head. Make them like you instead.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n – Pink<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Nghia Le<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n Regularly revisit your beliefs and think about how you feel about them in the present. Spend some time on affirmations to address your beliefs e.g., \u201cI am worthy of this promotion,\u201d \u201cI am a capable and talented writer\u201d, or \u201cToday, I am going to give my all!\u201d.<\/p>\n Rework your beliefs as needed from time to time. It\u2019s okay to change and grow!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In conclusion<\/strong>, we all have self-limiting beliefs, fears, and self-criticism rattling around in our heads. It\u2019s perfectly normal. It\u2019s also a process that we can do something about – a process that we can all work on. Working on what is holding us back and stopping us from achieving our goals is always going to be time well-spent.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n When we identify the root of these beliefs, we can address the core cause, challenge the belief itself, and start living the life we want to live.<\/p>\nWhy Do We Have Self-limiting beliefs?<\/h2>\n
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Examples Of Self-limiting Beliefs<\/h2>\n
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How to change the soundtrack and start going for what you want in life<\/h2>\n
1. Identify beliefs that are holding you back<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\n2. Flip the narrative!<\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"self-limiting](\"https:\/\/samiraholma.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/photo-1533231107942-53fbf2d247c3.jpg\")
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\n\u201cAre you a clairvoyant? A fortune-teller? If not, why anticipate the worst for yourself? Past does not equal the future, so why not think big and positive?\u201d<\/p>\n3. Embrace Self-compassion<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\n4. Practice Mindfulness<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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5. Test Your New Beliefs<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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