| What is a limiting belief? |
| It should come as no surprise that a limiting mindset does exactly that—it restricts your perspective on the world and, consequently, your potential. These are the things you’ve grown to accept as true about society, yourself, or the way the world functions. |
| Those beliefs convince our minds that something that isn’t true (can’t be proven) is, indeed, a fact. These kinds of cognitive distortions feed negative beliefs, which, as Positive Psychology notes, grow stronger over time and have the capacity to drag you down into a pit of despair and anxiety. I for one wouldn’t choose to live a life filled with negativity and discontent, and I don’t think any of us do it on purpose. Having said that, when clouds of cognitive distortion begin to form, there are particular, evidence-based actions we may take. |
| Identify your limiting beliefs. |
| Since limiting beliefs are frequently subconscious, it could be challenging for you to identify them if they’re not visualizing them as a movie in your head. Here are some more examples of the kinds of thoughts that could indicate someone has restricting beliefs (some of which you may even recognize!): |
| I’m too old.It’s too late.I don’t know what I want.I’m too poor.I lack money and resources.I’m too fat or too skinny…too tall or too short.I’m not smart enough.I’m not popular enough.I’m not connected enough.I don’t have time for myself.There’s never enough time.Others are in my way.It’s never worked before.I can’t start now because I am not ready.I’m too dumb.Money doesn’t grow on trees. |
| Your limiting beliefs may not be based on reality. |
| One method to lace up your boots and be ready to fight those bad thoughts swimming around your subconscious is to sit with your thoughts. Since thinking leads to questioning, there are important questions we may ask to help reframe or filter what, let’s be honest, are occasionally absurd notions. |
| What are your feelings on a specific circumstance? Are you making assumptions about things you, yourself have not experienced? Can you guarantee that an action will always have the same result, even if you have had a bad experience as a result of it? Is what you believe to be true? |
| Question your way to a healthy mindset. |
| You can use this technique to examine the evidence for and against your belief: |
| 1. Become aware. Ask yourself: what am I thinking? |
| 2. Analyze patterns. Ask yourself: why do I think this way? Which narrative do I believe, or have I believed? |
| 3. Confront your beliefs. Ask yourself: is this thought true? Where is the proof that this holds true every time? |
| If it isn’t always true, it isn’t a fact. |
| And last, what would my life look like if it was filled with hope and positivity? This question will help bring into focus what kind of person you want to become—and why certain beliefs need to be changed so that can happen. |
Anna Godfrey 