The Mindset Makeover: Transforming Limiting Beliefs

Have you ever felt stuck, unable to make progress on a goal, even when you know what steps to take? Chances are, what’s holding you back isn’t a lack of resources, time, or energy. It’s a limiting belief.

I used to think I wasn’t good with my hands. Whenever something needed fixing or installing, I’d immediately call in the professionals. Sound familiar?

But here’s where it gets interesting.?

I started noticing that I actually enjoyed washing dishes. I know, weird, right? Not only that, I was pretty good at it. This small realization was the first crack in my limiting belief.

So I decided to test this belief. The challenge? Installing an automated lighting system in my home. Now, I had zero electrical experience. But instead of calling the pros, I told myself, “I’ll bet I can learn this from YouTube videos.”

Guess what? I did it. I installed the entire system myself. The sense of accomplishment was incredible.

But I didn’t stop there. That success gave me the confidence to take on even bigger projects. I’ve since set up a live-streaming studio in my office—complicated wiring and all.

Here’s the key: I changed my belief from “I’m not good with my hands” to “I’m really good with my hands. I can learn anything.” That shift opened up a world of possibilities.

Understanding Limiting Beliefs

Many people have written about limiting beliefs. Here’s how I define them:

Limiting beliefs are those negative thoughts that keep you from reaching your full potential. They’re often subconscious, formed by past experiences (especially trauma), societal norms, or the influence of others. They operate like invisible barriers, keeping you from achieving your goals.

I once heard a story—a kind of parable—about a young bear cub who is taken from its home and forced to join the circus. A chain runs from a stake in the ground to a metal collar around its neck. It pulls for weeks against the stake, trying to escape. But it can’t.

A year passes. The bear grows. At this point, it’s much stronger than the stake in the ground and could easily break free. But it doesn’t even try. In fact, when the chain snaps, it doesn’t move. That’s when its captors take away the metal chains. The physical chains aren’t necessary anymore. They now live in the bear’s mind.

Psychologists call this phenomenon “learned helplessness.” And that’s what limiting beliefs do to us.

Identifying Your Barriers

Now, let me ask you this: What limiting beliefs are holding you back? What could you achieve if you challenged those beliefs?

Research shows that our beliefs significantly impact our behavior and outcomes. A 2011 study published in Journal of Happiness Studies found that positive psychology is a predictor of mental health and achievement. In other words, when we think we can, we often do—and feel a lot better about ourselves.

Here’s the truth: Your beliefs shape your reality. They influence your decisions, your actions, and ultimately, your results. Studies have shown that our beliefs can even affect our physical health and longevity.

Take a moment right now and jot down one limiting belief you suspect might be constraining you. Got it? Great. Keep it in mind as we move forward.

Remember, the first step to change is awareness. You’ve just taken that step. Now, let’s keep the momentum going.

Transforming Your Beliefs

Now that you’ve identified a limiting belief, let’s talk about how to overcome it. Here’s a four-step process I’ve found incredibly effective:

1. Identify the Belief. You’ve already taken this step, but let’s dig deeper. Is your limiting belief about your abilities? Your worth? Your potential for success? Be specific. Write it down.
2. Challenge the Belief. Ask yourself: Is this belief actually true? What evidence do I have for and against it? Often, you’ll find the belief is based on outdated or incorrect assumptions.
3. Reframe the Belief. Now, create a new, empowering belief to replace the limiting one. If your old belief was “I’m not creative,” your new belief might be “I can develop my creativity through practice and learning.”
4. Act on the New Belief. This is crucial. Take immediate action based on your new belief. If you now believe you can be creative, sign up for that art class you’ve been eyeing. Small actions reinforce your new belief and build momentum.

Here’s a quick comparison of some common limiting beliefs and their corresponding liberating truths:

Remember, this isn’t a one-and-done process. You’ll likely need to repeat these steps whenever you face a new challenge or take on a big goal. That’s when new limiting beliefs usually surface. But with practice, you’ll get better at identifying and overcoming them.

Your turn: Take the limiting belief you identified earlier. Run it through these four steps. What new, empowering belief can you create? What action can you take today based on this new belief?

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Reinforcing Your New Mindset

Identifying and challenging your limiting beliefs is a great start. But how do you ensure these new, empowering beliefs become a permanent part of your mindset? Here are three strategies I’ve found effective:

1. Surround Yourself with Support. Remember the saying, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with”? It’s true for beliefs too. Seek out people who embody the mindset you want to adopt. Their attitudes and actions will reinforce your new beliefs. Studies have shown that surrounding yourself with supportive individuals can significantly impact your ability to maintain new beliefs and behaviors.

Action step: Identify one person who exemplifies the belief you’re trying to adopt. Reach out to them this week for a coffee or call.

2. Create a “Wins Journal.” Our brains have a negativity bias—we tend to remember failures more than successes. Counter this by keeping a journal of your ’wins’ related to your new belief. Even small successes count!

Action step: Start your “Wins Journal” today. Write down three recent successes, no matter how small, that support your new belief.

3. Use Visual Reminders. Out of sight, out of mind. Keep your new belief front and center by using visual cues. This could be a sticky note on your mirror, a phone wallpaper, or a vision board.

Action step: Create a visual reminder of your new belief and place it somewhere you’ll see multiple times a day.

Remember, changing deeply ingrained beliefs takes time and consistent effort. Be patient with yourself, but also be persistent. Every time you act on your new belief, you’re rewiring your brain for success.

The Workbench

I’ve been using Apollo Neuro for about nine months now, and it’s been a game-changer in regulating my nervous system. Whether I need better focus, more calm, greater energy, or improved sleep, this wearable device has helped me optimize my body’s response to different contexts.

Apollo Neuro works by delivering gentle vibrations that engage with your sense of touch, helping your body recover from stress and giving you more control over your state of mind. Here’s what I love about it:

1. Versatility: It offers seven modes for different needs—from energy and focus to relaxation and sleep.
2. Non-invasive: Unlike many supplements or medications, it’s completely external and non-habit forming.
3. Scientifically backed: It’s been validated by multiple clinical trials. (Check out this interview with Dr. Dave Rubin, inventor of the Apollo.)
4. Easy to use: You can wear it on your wrist or ankle, and control it via a simple app.

I typically use the “Energy” mode during my morning work sessions, “Focus” during my writing sessions, “Unwind” in the early evening, and “Sleep” as my head hits the pillow. There’s even a “Power Nap” mode that I use for my daily, 20-minute naps. The difference in my stress levels and sleep quality has been noticeable.

If you’re looking for a way to enhance your well-being and gain more control over your mental state, I highly recommend giving Apollo Neuro a try. It’s been an invaluable addition to my daily routine.

In pursuit of the Double Win,

P.S. Did you know I have a podcast? It’s called The Double Win Show. I host it with my oldest daughter, Megan Hyatt Miller, who’s also the CEO of Full Focus. We interview bestselling authors who are also living out the Double Win. Check it out. It would mean a lot to me if you would rate it and provide a brief review.

P.P.S. It’s not too late to register for the free training I’m leading on Tuesday at 10 a.m. (CT). I’ll unmask five common blindspots that rob people of time, money, and (worst of all) purpose. You won’t want to miss it. Join me!

At Full Focus, we believe everyone deserves to win at work and succeed at life. Our mission is to make it nearly impossible for people not to get the Double Win.?

You can find my previous newsletter issues here: Beyond the Hustle Archive.

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