Why Identify Your Limiting Beliefs?

Welcome to our guide on identifying your limiting beliefs. We all have beliefs that shape our perception of ourselves and the world around us. However, some of these beliefs can be invisible barriers, holding us back from reaching our full potential. This article presents you with 10 powerful questions designed to help you uncover and confront your limiting beliefs. By delving deep into your mindset and exploring the core beliefs that may hinder your progress, you can pave the way for personal growth, self-discovery, and realizing your true capabilities. So, let’s dive in and embark on a transformative journey of self-awareness and empowerment.

During the first six years of life, we soak up everything we hear, and our young brains believe it to be true. During these years, we develop the most powerful and oftentimes life-limiting beliefs that can stick with us for the rest of our lives.   

All of this information is held in our subconscious, keeping us safe. It’s how we learn that the stove is hot because it burnt our hand or how we know to look both ways before crossing the street because our parents drilled that home with us daily. However, some of these beliefs hold us back in life and keep us in fear and ignorance. Typical limiting beliefs take the form of: 

• “I can’t do that because…” 
• “I don’t deserve that because…”  
• “If I do this, something bad is going to happen…”
• “I can’t do this because people will think…” 

I’m sure some of those statements sound familiar. I know I’ve said them on more than one occasion. So what do we do now?   

Here are 10 questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deep into our subconscious and identify our limiting beliefs.

1.  What belief has held you back the most?

Identifying our limiting beliefs might be challenging, but we can all pinpoint at least one belief that has held us back throughout our lives. It might not be obvious, but if we look back on what we’ve done, we can see it.  

Maybe you didn’t apply for that job you wanted because you didn’t think you were “smart enough.” Or that trip around the world you wanted to take never happened because you didn’t think that was “responsible,” and you went straight to college instead.   

Maybe you missed asking your future wife on a date because you knew she was “out of your league.”

2.  Why do you believe this?

Now that we’ve identified our biggest limiting belief ask yourself this question until you run out of answers. Did something happen to you when you were a kid? Maybe something happened to you last week. Have you ever been told it’s okay?  Write down every answer you have so you don’t forget them.

3.  What evidence proves your belief wrong?

Most beliefs are just that, beliefs. Beliefs and facts are two very different things. Snow is cold. We know that because we can feel it. There’s no debate about that fact. It can be measured.   

Your belief that you aren’t smart enough for that job is subjective and just your opinion. There’s no way to prove it with 100% certainty. If you look hard enough, I’m sure you can find someone not as smart as you do exactly what you want to do. The only thing stopping you is your belief.

4.  What have you missed out on in life because of your belief?

Sticking to the job example, how different would your life be now if you applied for that job? Your life would most likely be completely different. Even if you applied and didn’t get it, you could’ve learned something valuable from the person interviewing you. You would’ve learned that trying and failing is okay if nothing else.

5.  Is there any truth in your belief?

Is there truth to your belief? Has something happened to you recently to reinforce the belief? Or is it something you’ve believed for as long as you can remember and don’t know why?   

If you can’t think of anything to confirm your belief that has happened within a year, it’s time to reevaluate. And be sure not to put too much weight in the opinions of others.  They also hold limiting beliefs that they project on others.

6.  Question its impact.

What happens if you challenge your belief? Let’s say you wake up one morning and tell yourself you won’t let that belief control your decisions anymore. Does your life change for the better?   

Do you allow yourself to do things that you’ve never done before? Do those things change your life for the better? Usually, the worst thing that can happen is failure.  And even when we fail, we wake up the next morning with another chance to try again.

7.  What are you afraid of?

What’s the worst possible thing that could happen if you challenge your belief? How does this change your daily life? Most of our fears boil down to rejection, humiliation, embarrassment, isolation, etc. How debilitating would these things be if they were to happen? Is bettering your life and giving up the belief worth the risk?

8.  How are you contributing?

What are you doing regularly that’s contributing to your limiting belief? How are you reinforcing your negative emotions related to the belief? Are the opinions of others influencing what you believe? Do you avoid doing things that would eliminate the belief? Write down all the ways you might be contributing to the belief so you can start changing those behaviors.

9.  What would you have to give up if you overcome this belief?

What part of yourself would you lose if you gave up your belief? Would its absence be felt by you or those in your life? Could it contribute to personal growth and steer your life towards positive outcomes, opening up new opportunities? Sometimes our biggest fear is the fear of being more than we ever thought we were capable of. Make sure you aren’t holding yourself back on purpose.

10.  What would you gain if you overcome this belief?

How much better would your life be if you stopped believing in something without weight? Think of the freedom you could gain. Think of how much happier you could be. Would you even be able to make the lives of people around you better if you were to overcome this belief? Most success and happiness are on the other side of a negative belief. Make sure you aren’t keeping yourself from getting there.

Conclusion

Ask yourself these questions whenever you find yourself thinking, “I can’t,” “I shouldn’t,” or “I don’t deserve it.”  Ensure that thought is the reality, not just a limiting belief holding you back. 

Ready to unlock your true potential? Book a Strategy Call with Charles today and start breaking free from your limiting beliefs. Take the first step towards a more empowered and fulfilling life!