Self–Limiting Beliefs

Introduction

“Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that dis-empowers them or one that can literally save their lives.”— Anthony Robbins.

Our beliefs have the power to either create good things in our lives or destroy the good things that already exist. Our lives are shaped by what we believe. If not paid attention to critically, our beliefs can become strongholds in our lives, which can prevent us from making progress in life.

What does the word limit mean?

• ? It is a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.
• ? A restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible.
• ? Limiting therefore means setting or serve as a limit to something.

What is belief?

• ? A belief is an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.
• ? It is having trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something.

What then is a limiting belief?

• ? A limiting belief is one that causes life to be less than completely satisfying.
• ? Limiting beliefs are those which constrain us in some way.

Do You Know That Self–Limiting Beliefs Are…

• ? Opinions that prevent an individual from doing something based on the perception of a behavior that is in fact, changeable?
• ? Excuses for a lack of willingness to change a behavior that inhibits success and progress in life?
• ? Self-sabotaging thoughts that hinder an individual from moving forward?

Two Common Self–Limiting Beliefs

1. I am not good enough.
2. I can’t do it.

Sources/Origins of Our Beliefs

1. Our Experiences: This has to do with events that are happening or have happened in our lives.

2. Environment /Culture: Where we live, our country, where we work etc.

3. Upbringing: How we were raised.

4. Education: What we learnt or know through learning.

5. Fear: The things we are afraid of.

“The truth about limiting beliefs is that once we imbibe them, our lives attract exactly what we believe.”

Manifestation of Limiting Beliefs in Our Lives

Do you know that limiting beliefs manifest in our lives through various ways? Some of the manifestation of limiting beliefs are: ? Self-Doubt. ? Fear. ? Mental Blocks i.e. Unwanted Thoughts. ? Procrastination: I will do it later syndrome. ? Wrong Relationships. ? Lack of Self-Esteem: Inability to believe in one's self. ? Lack of Self-Confidence: inability to believe in one’s judgment and decisions ? Mediocrity: Settling for less.

It is not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.”–Anthony Robbins. Beliefs are not facts. However, deeply ingrained beliefs can indeed be mistaken as facts. These beliefs are often nothing more than conclusions you have drawn based on your childhood experiences.

Overcoming Self–Limiting Beliefs

1. Acknowledge your self-limiting beliefs: The first step is to be brutally honest with yourself. Ask yourself what limiting beliefs do you think you have? Take a piece of paper and write down the self-limiting beliefs that you know are hindering your personal growth. 2. Find Out the Core Reasons for Those Beliefs: After you have listed all the self-limiting beliefs that you have, try to understand the reasons for why you have those beliefs.

3. Understand that those beliefs are not true: Usually, these beliefs appear because you have one (or more) bad experiences regarding these beliefs, and automatically your brain shuts down to the possibility of you doing it. But this can be changed simply by shifting your mindset to the more empowering one. Understand that many of these beliefs are not true, and the foundation of these beliefs are very subjective.

4. Arm yourself with new empowering beliefs: The next step to take after acknowledging that those beliefs you held are simply not true, is to form new beliefs. Begin to form new beliefs that serve you. Choose your new beliefs carefully, because these new beliefs will manifest into your life.

5. Change your vocabulary.

6. Reprogram your mind.

7. Begin to act on your new beliefs: Start acting like you are the new person that has all these positive beliefs inside of them. It might be hard to change (It might take weeks or months), but with proper dedication, you will get there.

8. Seek evidence of your new-found beliefs. You will find that the more you spend time believing and acting like ‘the new you’, the more it becomes true in your reality.

Conclusion “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.”–William James.

Make up your mind beginning from NOW to change every limiting belief of yours too empowering beliefs.

Remove I CAN’T, and IT CAN’T BE FOR ME from your vocabulary.

Say to yourself: ? I CAN DO IT. ? I AM VALUABLE. ? I AM PREFERRED.

By Olubukola Jude-Oriakhi member of HR GEM Coaches community