How to Break Your Limiting Beliefs?
We all have limiting beliefs that have been with us forever or that formed at a specific moment in our lives due to some experience. And perhaps, we’ve never really thought about it until something within us starts bothering us. We feel limited because of the boundaries our mind has imposed. If this sounds familiar, then keep reading because you’re about to break free from your limiting beliefs!
A limiting belief is a deep pattern of thought or feeling that constrains our perception of ourselves, our abilities, possibilities, and potential. These beliefs are often negative and self-sabotaging, causing us to feel self-doubt and stop our development as women and human beings. They become invisible chains that restrict us from achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life.
Causes of Limiting Beliefs
There are many reasons why we have developed these limiting beliefs in our minds. They can be self-imposed barriers that often stem from past experiences, societal influences, or our fears.
They might be created as some form of “protection” that is completely wrong and unhealthy.
The good news is that with the right strategies and information, you can break free from these constraints and enjoy personal growth and the path to the life you want to live.
How do you break Limiting Beliefs?
The process of breaking limiting beliefs is very simple, but you need to know that you must be consistent and stay committed to it.
Below, you can read a guide to start your process of breaking limiting beliefs:
1- What are my negative beliefs? Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
The first step is to recognize them. Identify the thoughts that consistently hold you back. They might manifest as self-doubt (for instance, “I’m not good at relationships”), fear of failure (“I’ll never achieve that goal”), or assumptions about your capabilities (“I’ll never be good as a music player”). Write them down to be clear on this point. Make a list and specify all the negative thoughts about yourself and your life to start. You can also include limiting beliefs about situations or related to other people, such as “I don’t belong”, “People never understand me” “People never like me” etc.
2- Why do I think this way? Is this true? Challenge their Validity
Critically examine the validity of these beliefs and what you think is “The Truth” about you or your life. Ask yourself: Are these beliefs based on concrete evidence? How can I prove my brain is wrong in this? Often, you’ll find that these beliefs lack substantial proof and are more a product of negative self-talk. See counterexamples and different perspectives.
3- Reframe Your Mindset
Once you have identified what your limiting beliefs are and have questioned them CHANGE THEM! Reframe your ways of thinking. Change negative statements into positive affirmations. Transform“I will never find love” and reinforce the thought “I will find the partner I deserve”. Practice this process for all the statements in the list you’ve created in Step 1.
4- Maintain the new Mindset
Once you have your new beliefs, you must keep them in your mind day after day. Reinforce them. No matter what negative situations might tempt you to think otherwise, hold onto them. Learn new things and make corrections as needed, but work towards your new positive beliefs.
5- Don’t forget Self-Compassion
Having doubts and fears is also human. This is not about not feeling this way or living like a robot. Is more about conquering them and proving them wrong. Don’t feel discouraged or disempowered by it and instead, overcome whatever stands in the way. This is how you grow and gain confidence without going back to old beliefs.
6- Seek Guidance
This step is also crucial to achieving breaking your limiting beliefs. Guidance and support help you stay motivated and detect when you are unconsciously going back to your old patterns. Having someone who can help you challenge what you are thinking or seeing negatively and remind you of your achievements so far is very helpful in this process. Don’t be afraid to seek a friend, a coach, or someone you can trust for this!
7- Remember the Goal
You are working on the process of Breaking Limiting Beliefs because you want to have a healthy and happy life. You must remember this objective anytime you feel discouraged or want to go back to brain models and patterns that are toxic and don’t serve your purpose and happiness.
You can start slow and track your progress, or break down big goals into smaller ones as a strategy to avoid forsaking the change. Each successful step dismantles the belief that you’re incapable or not enough or whatever belief you want to eliminate.
8- Seek inspiration
Surround yourself with people who have overcome similar challenges and fears. Their stories and experiences can help you be focused and inspired, and keep in your mind that your limiting beliefs can be shattered. You can learn insights, tips, and tools from the people who have already traveled that path.
9- Visualize your dreams and goals
Visualization can be a powerful tool to overcome limiting beliefs. You can train your brain to think that you are already living the reality you want. Envision yourself accomplishing your goals despite the obstacles. Vivid mental images of success rewire your brain, making it feel more real and giving you positive feelings!
10- Keep Learning and with your mind open
Keep learning about how to overcome challenges, have more opportunities, and grow as a woman. Your mind doesn’t have to stay static, you can add new beliefs and thoughts as long as they are realistic and not toxic or limiting.
Develop new skills that help you expand your new positive beliefs, growing your confidence and self-esteem.
Extra TIP: Have fun in the process! Try to live it as a new experience and be curious and enthusiastic about it. And don’t forget to rely on self-awareness, perseverance, and a willingness to challenge your perceptions.
And remember, if you need guidance and support in this process, get a Free Life Coaching session Today!
If you are interested in more articles about Life Coaching for women, explore more Here.
