Shed self-limiting beliefs.
Telling yourself you can’t do something is more powerful than you realize. It creates the false notion that you aren’t capable of something when in fact you are entirely capable of it.
Self-limiting beliefs are perceptions or thoughts about yourself that restrict you in some way. For instance, if I believe I’m not good at something, I will tend to avoid it or put in little effort, bringing my self-limiting belief into reality.
Why do self-limiting beliefs exist? Their purpose is to keep you safe and protect you from future pain, however in doing so, they prevent you from forming positive new beliefs from new experiences.
Everyone has self-limiting beliefs. They usually come from a place of fear. To overcome them, first identify the negative thoughts that show up repeatedly in your mind. Each time you recognize one, challenge and reframe it:
I’m not good enough to lead this project.
I have not led a project this size before. I have led smaller projects successfully. If I break this project down into milestones, I should be able to lead my team to a positive outcome.
I’ll never be considered an expert in my industry.
I have worked in my industry for 20 years. I have acquired firsthand knowledge from my many experiences. I may not be considered an expert by those senior to me, however to those with less experience, I may very well be considered an expert in my field.
I don’t have enough experience to get that promotion.
I have mastered my current role. I’ve received excellent reviews. I’ve proven that I’m a quick learner and am very resourceful. I can accomplish anything I set my mind on, and this new role should be no different.
I don’t have what it takes to be a great leader.
Everyone leads in their own way. I may lead differently than the people I’m comparing myself to, but I can be just as effective using my own style and leaning into my own strengths.
I can’t tell you how important it is to persevere through limiting beliefs and not let them hold you back. Monitor your self-talk and challenge these beliefs as they arise. I struggled with such beliefs early in my life, but the more I mustered up the courage to tell myself a different story, challenge the status quo and bring things into my realm of possibility, the more I grew, the more I accomplished and the more I realized that there are no limits when it comes to sharing our innate talents with the world.