We can only achieve what we believe. Limiting beliefs are thoughts/opinions that one believes to be the absolute truth. They tend to have a negative impact on one’s life by stopping them from moving forwards and growing on a personal and professional level.

Everyone has the potential to achieve great things, no matter their circumstances. But fear often holds us back – we tell ourselves stories, play it safe and end up living only half a life. We create stress and internal conflict by holding ourselves back. When we change our stories to create a new truth about who we really are, then we start to feel happy and fulfilled. But why and how does this occur?

As humans, we are constantly aiming to make ourselves as comfortable as possible. This includes avoiding negative emotions like frustration, anxiety, anger, etc. Limiting beliefs acts as a defence mechanism to avoid these emotions. Often they are triggered by situations where you have experienced suffering in the past.

Our tendency to interpret new information as confirmation of our pre-existing beliefs is called confirmation bias, which means that we often believe what we want to believe.

How to Take Back Control of Your Limiting Beliefs

1. If you find yourself feeling fearful or resisting an activity, stop and be aware. You’re currently in a state of ‘low mood’ thinking.
2. Write it down! What is it that you think you cannot do? Understand that what you are thinking is not necessarily true.
3. Look for evidence. Why aren’t you able to achieve XYZ? Are these legitimate reasons or just excuses? Are you able to overcome these? Is it just difficult and you are not willing to? That’s also ok, but it doesn’t mean you can’t.
4. Be accountable. Thoughts and feelings come and go. They are not the truth about who you are. There are plenty of tools to help you combat negative emotions such as stress and anxiety – use them! Breathe and recentre.
5. Talk it out! As the saying goes, friends are better than therapy. Find someone you trust to share your thoughts with.

Of course, changing a belief doesn’t automatically result in changed behaviour – you still have to do the work. For example, change “I’m not good with money” to “In the past, I haven’t been good with money, but I’m working towards changing my spending habits.” Or, “I am learning how to be financially responsible.” Take one step at a time.

Create a new mindset and a new narrative. Become confident and courageous – what have you got to lose?