Your external world is a direct reflection of your internal beliefs. Shift your mindset, release your limiting beliefs, and watch your reality transform.”- Regan Hillyer
Have you ever felt as though an invisible barrier was holding you back from achieving your dreams? Perhaps you’ve resolved to lose weight, and even knew what tangible steps you needed to take to accomplish your goal. Yet, when it came time to implement and sustain the changes necessary to reach your goal it felt as though an invisible hand was actively holding you back.
You may have come to the conclusion “I know what I need to do to achieve my goals, yet, no matter how many times I try I inevitably fail, therefore the problem is my lack of willpower and resolve.”
Think about it, if you know the steps you need to take to realize the transformation you so desperately want are clear-cut, yet you cannot muster the determination to sustain them, there must be some deep, and powerful force at work, undercutting your efforts to transform your life for the better.
You’re not alone. The frustration of being in a constant loop of self sabotage is nearly universal. However, the problem isn’t your lack of willpower or discipline. In fact, the more you believe your barrier to change is a lack of willpower, the further you will drift from the key to substantive transformation.
You are not alone. So many of us grapple with subconscious limiting beliefs that sabotage our efforts for change and transformation. The good news is, these barriers can be lifted, allowing you to step into the life you dream of. In fact, your limiting beliefs will kick your self-sabotaging tendencies into gear just as you are on the cusp of realizing your deepest potential. That’s why it’s crucial to identify, understand, and dissolve the deep seated limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
Understanding Limiting Beliefs
Subconscious limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained thoughts formed from past experiences, socialization, and years of societal conditioning. They operate below your awareness, affecting your decisions and actions; which is why limiting beliefs are so powerful and insidious. For instance, you might believe you’re not good enough, smart enough, or deserving of success, convincing you to settle for less, avoid risks, and shy away from opportunities. Recognizing and challenging these hidden constraints is the first step towards unlocking your true potential.
“Our thoughts can either imprison us or set us free. When you change your thoughts and beliefs, you change your life.” – Joe Dispenza
Here are just a few examples of how limiting beliefs form, crystalize, and influence behavior.
Belief: I Can’t Lose Weight
Formation: Sarah has struggled with her weight for years. She would try countless diets, lose some weight only to regain more. In childhood, Sarah’s family often told her that she had “bad genes” and that weight issues were an inevitability for the family. Through repetition, Sarah integrated this belief into her subconscious blueprint and her underlying belief about reality. Now, whenever she attempts to change her physical reality and lose weight, she triggers a subconscious response to desperately enforce the status quo of “it’s not possible for you to lose weight, you’re cursed with bad genes”. The belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing her to give up easily and revert to unhealthy choices. Only by doing the deep, sometimes confronting work of identifying the source of the belief and replacing it with a belief that’s in alignment with her aspirations will Sarah begin to see progress.
Limiting beliefs are like buggy pieces of code in the software of your subconscious mind, they must be identified and replaced.
Dismantling Limiting Beliefs
“The outer world, and everything that happens in it, is a reflection of our inner world. Nothing more.” – Don Miguel Ruiz
The first step to dissolving your subconscious limiting beliefs is unearthing them. Limiting beliefs are so insidious because they lurk below the surface, and you are likely not even consciously aware of how they are sabotaging your reality and keeping you stuck.
1. Self-Reflection and Awareness
A good way to know when a limiting belief is at play is to focus on how you feel rather than what you’re thinking. The process could go like this:
When a feeling comes up, stop yourself and find a quite space where you can reflect without distractions. Grab a journal or your notes app and answer the following questions.
Your only task at first is to get into the habit of writing these down. The repetition of this self-inquiry process will help you uncover and interrogate the influences on your actions and decisions.
2. Identify Patterns and Triggers
After amassing the data and journaling for about a week or two, look through your journal entries and identify common themes or patterns. Consider the following:
– Are there specific situations that trigger feelings of inadequacy or fear?
– Do certain people or environments consistently evoke negative reactions?
Recognizing these patterns can help you pinpoint the underlying beliefs that are at play. For example, if you notice you frequently feel inadequate in work meetings, the underlying belief might be “I’m not competent enough.”
3. Question the Origin
Once you’ve identified some potential limiting beliefs, dig deeper to understand their origins:
– When did I first start believing this?
– Was there a specific event or series of events that reinforced this belief?
– Whose voice do I hear when I think of this belief (a parent, teacher, peer)?
Understanding the origin of your beliefs can help you see them for what they are—thoughts and opinions formed from past experiences, not absolute truths.
4. Challenge and Reframe
Now that you’ve identified and understood the origins of your limiting beliefs, it’s time to challenge them:
– Is this belief based on facts or assumptions?
– What evidence do I have that contradicts this belief?
– How has this belief been holding me back?
For example, if your belief is “I’m not competent enough,” challenge it by listing your accomplishments, skills, and positive feedback you’ve received.
“The moment you start feeling abundant and worthy, you are generating wealth. The moment you’re empowered and feel it, you’re beginning to step towards your success.” – Joe Dispenza
5. Create Positive Affirmations
Replace your limiting beliefs with empowering affirmations. Craft statements that reflect your true potential and worth:
– “I am competent and capable of achieving my goals.”
– “I deserve success and happiness.”
– “I am constantly growing and improving.”
Repeat these affirmations daily to reinforce your new beliefs. Visualization can also be a powerful tool—imagine yourself succeeding and thriving in areas where you previously felt limited.
6. Practice Patience and Persistence
Reprogramming your mind takes time and consistent effort. Celebrate small victories and be patient with yourself. Remember, change is a journey, not a destination. Regularly revisit your journal to track your progress and reflect on how far you’ve come.