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One of the biggest obstacles we face when pursuing our business goals (or any goal, for that matter) often lies within our own minds.
But it takes a certain level of self-awareness and responsibility to recognize how we’re standing in our own way.
"Learning too soon our limitations, we never learn our powers," said the late Mignon McLaughlin.
Self-limiting beliefs start forming early in life, and often, we aren’t even aware of them.
The words of our caregivers, the behavior of our peers, and the societal standards we live by all contribute to shaping how we see ourselves. For example, if our parents lacked confidence in our abilities as children, that belief often follows us into adulthood, manifesting as over-dependency on others, poor decision-making, and low self-esteem.
The most dangerous thing about a self-limiting belief is that it creates a negative feedback loop. When we believe something negative about ourselves, we tend to act in ways that confirm that belief, which reinforces it even further. This becomes a cycle that’s hard to break.
But here’s the good news: It’s not all doom and gloom.
We aren’t merely products of our environment—we have the power to transform our self-limiting beliefs into empowering ones. By taking an active role in shaping our thoughts, instead of passively accepting the ones handed to us, we can break free and create a new reality for ourselves.
It doesn’t require drastic change or huge effort—just a little conscious thought and self-awareness to start overcoming those limiting beliefs. I know because I’ve been through it myself.
My Personal Journey: Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs As A Creative
I’m a wife, artist, business owner, and mother of three littles and 2 adult children (I am a grandma too!). Today, I’m proud to manage all the important aspects of my life, but that wasn’t always the case. My journey towards overcoming my self-limiting beliefs began with one simple but powerful step: being real with myself.
I used to believe that I wasn’t meant to thrive as an artist. I told myself that if God had truly intended for me to be successful, it would have happened by now. I didn’t realize that it was my own beliefs holding me back, not God.
One day, I decided to confront those doubts. I sat quietly and asked myself:
Why do I believe this? I challenged myself to look for evidence against these beliefs, and surprisingly, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I had always been creative. Every part of mylife has lined me up to be exactly where I am now. I have literally everything I need. Every mistake, mishap, crappy decision, win, setback and choice has brought me here. Right now. I am the person for the job.
In fact, I’d been involved in creative endeavors throughout my entire life—from middle school through college. The evidence had always been there, but I wasn’t seeing it because it contradicted the limiting beliefs I had about myself.
And just like me, you have your own unique gifts waiting to be uncovered.
And you need to know that you are meant for the job.
How I Replaced Self-Limiting Beliefs with Empowering Ones
Once I identified my self-limiting beliefs, the next step was to replace them with empowering beliefs. Self-limiting beliefs keep us stuck; empowering beliefs help us move forward. For example:
- A self-limiting belief might be, “I don’t have enough time.”
- An empowering belief would be, “I can manage my time more effectively to make room for what truly matters.”
The trick is to recognize those limiting beliefs as they arise and replace them with beliefs that empower you to take action and push through the obstacles.
Every time you catch yourself thinking a limiting thought, challenge its validity. Ask yourself: Where did this belief come from? What’s the evidence against it?
As you replace those thoughts with empowering beliefs, you’ll find it gets easier over time. And eventually, your new, empowering beliefs will become the default, allowing you to move freely toward your goals.
A Simple Exercise to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs
It’s easy to identify limiting beliefs in moments of reflection, but it takes consistent effort to replace them and reshape your mindset. The key is persistence.
Here’s an action plan to get you started on your journey:
- Find a quiet space – A calm, peaceful environment will help you clear your mind.
- Get a pen and paper – Writing things down makes them real and actionable.
- Reflect – Think about what’s holding you back from achieving your goals. Let your thoughts flow.
- Identify limiting beliefs – What beliefs have been limiting your growth? Write them down.
- Challenge those beliefs – Ask yourself why you hold them and examine the evidence for and against them.
- Replace with empowering beliefs – For each limiting belief, write a positive, empowering belief.
- Create a plan of action – Take steps aligned with your new beliefs, and practice reinforcing them daily.
By practicing these steps regularly, you’ll shift your mindset and break free from the beliefs that have been keeping you stuck. It takes practice, but the results are worth it.
Bonus Tip: The Power of Reading
Reading is a powerful tool for personal growth. When you read books that help you understand your inherent value and potential, you challenge and expand your thinking. One book that helped me immensely is Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. This book explores the power of self-image and how shifting your mindset can dramatically affect your happiness and success.
Maybe turn this on while you write an email.
Final Thoughts
Overcoming self-limiting beliefs is a journey, but it’s one that starts with a single step: choosing to challenge the negative thoughts that have been holding you back.
With a little self-awareness and a commitment to replacing limiting beliefs with empowering ones, you can unlock your true potential.
Remember: You are capable of far more than you think.
You are meant for this job. Be the creative you are meant to be and who you are now.
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