What are Limiting Beliefs?

Limiting beliefs are a collection of opinions of ourselves, our abilities, or our potential that hold us back in some way. These beliefs are formed unconsciously based on our childhood or other life experiences. Very often, they are simply untrue and are misinterpretations of past events. For many people, these limiting beliefs hold them back from living their best life. The problem is that once we have these beliefs, we are not able to reach our full potential and this reinforces the belief we had in the first place. It is a vicious circle that is hard to get out of. However, if you can overcome your limiting beliefs, you can turn things around and achieve things that were not possible when they held you back.

Most people have some limiting beliefs. Let’s start with a simple example. Your boss asks you to lead the weekly team meeting 10 minutes before it’s supposed to start. Your colleagues are great and you know everyone fairly well.
You’ve led small group meetings at your church, with your bowling team, and even with your pickleball friends. But leading a meeting at work could put your credibility at risk. What if you stammer or say something ‘wrong?’ What if you say the new guy’s name wrong? What if you don’t have a morning joke or give the punchline away?
With all of that going on all you can hear in your head is how terrible that meeting you led with your 5th-grade scout troop turned out. That nagging reminder that you once made a mistake will haunt you forever.
If you let it.
Maybe public speaking doesn’t affect your willingness to lead a last-minute work meeting. Or maybe you fear success. Sadly, self-limiting beliefs are not limited in scope.

If you believe you can or believe you can’t, either way you are right

Self-limiting beliefs examples

Here are some examples of limiting beliefs:

1. I’m not good enough.
2. I’m not smart enough.
3. I always fail.
4. Bad things always happen to me.
5. I don’t deserve success.
6. Things are always hard.
7. I’m not lovable.
8. Rich people are greedy.
9. No one cares.
10. I’ll be happy when …
11. I can’t do anything right.
12. Money is the root of all evil.
13. If I try [whatever] rejection is inevitable.

Do you hear yourself in any of those sentences?