Breaking Free: How to Identify and Overcome the Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back
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Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I can't do that" or "I'm just not good enough"? Most of us live within invisible walls created by our own limiting beliefs—walls that silently hold us back from opportunities, growth, and fulfillment we deserve.
In our last episode, we kicked off The Season of Renewal by focusing on manifesting love and joy. Today, we're building on that foundation by tackling the thoughts that quietly sabotage our progress: those persistent limiting beliefs that keep us stuck.
What Are Limiting Beliefs and Why Do They Matter?
Limiting beliefs are those internal thoughts and assumptions that constrain us in some way. They're the little voices that whisper things like:
- "I'm not smart enough for that job"
- "I'll never be as successful as her"
- "I'm too old to start something new"
These beliefs often disguise themselves as truth or practicality. The challenge? Just because you've thought something for years doesn't make it true. These thoughts may have served you at one point, perhaps as protection mechanisms, but now they're keeping you from expanding into your full potential.
More women than ever are walking away from traditional paths to create businesses and opportunities on their own terms. But stepping out on your own stirs up insecurities and self-doubt that had been comfortably dormant. When you're creating your own path, doubt doesn't just slow you down—it kills opportunities before they even begin.
The Revealing Personal Story I've Never Shared
Let me share something I've rarely talked about. For years, I would look at job descriptions and think, "I could do this job." But as I read further and found one skill or qualification I lacked, my immediate next thought would be: "They'll never hire me because I can't prove I can do the work."
Here's the kicker—I was always right. I didn't get any of those roles. Not because I wasn't capable, but because I never even applied.
That limiting belief—that I wasn't qualified enough—held me back from opportunities I was more than capable of handling. It wasn't external rejection stopping me; it was self-rejection before I'd even given myself a chance.
This pattern repeats in so many areas of life. We hesitate to pursue a dream, speak up in a meeting, or try something new, all because of beliefs we've accepted without question
How to Identify Your Own Limiting Beliefs
The first step to breaking free is recognizing these thoughts when they appear. They can be sneaky, often disguising themselves as wisdom or caution.
Start by paying attention to your inner dialogue, especially when you feel stuck or hesitant. Ask yourself:
- What's the story I keep telling myself when I feel stuck?
- What fear or assumption is holding me back from taking the next step?
- Where did this belief come from, and does it still serve me?
Look for patterns in how you talk to yourself. Notice the "always" and "never" statements that creep in. These absolutes are often red flags for limiting beliefs.
The Power of Reframing: Flipping the Script
Once you've identified a limiting belief, the next step is to reframe it. Reframing isn't about ignoring your fears or pretending challenges don't exist. It's about choosing to focus on possibilities instead of limitations.
For example:
- Instead of "I'm not smart enough for that job," try "I have many valuable skills and the willingness to learn what's needed for that job"
- Instead of "I'm too old to start something new," try "My life experience gives me unique wisdom and perspective to succeed in this new venture"
Here's a simple but transformative exercise I use:
- Write down one belief that's been holding you back
- Ask yourself: "What evidence do I have that this belief is true?"
- Challenge the belief by writing a new, empowering thought to replace it
- Practice this new thought daily, especially when the old belief surfaces
Remember, the thoughts you feed are the ones that grow. By consciously reframing your inner dialogue, you create a mindset that supports rather than sabotages your growth.
Building a Growth Mindset: Beyond Simply Positive Thinking
Reframing your thoughts is a powerful start, but to truly break free from limiting patterns, you need to cultivate a growth mindset that sustains that change and helps you embrace new opportunities.
A growth mindset rests on the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and potential aren't fixed—they can develop with effort, learning, and resilience. With a growth mindset, you see challenges as learning experiences, failures as stepping stones, and possibilities where you once saw limitations.
Self-awareness is a cornerstone tool. Pay attention to how you react to challenges or criticism. Do you feel defeated, or do you look for lessons? Start reframing setbacks as feedback.
Instead of asking, "Why did I fail?" ask, "What can I learn from this?"
Another vital practice is self-compassion. Many of us are our own harshest critics, constantly comparing ourselves to others or holding ourselves to impossible standards. When you make a mistake, instead of the internal beatdown, practice speaking to yourself with the kindness you'd offer a friend: "I'm learning, and it's okay to not get it right every time."
The Power of "Yet": A Simple Word That Changes Everything
The word "yet" might be the most powerful tool in your growth mindset arsenal. When faced with a challenge, instead of thinking, "I can't do this," add the word "yet" to the end: "I can't do this yet."
That simple shift reminds you that growth is a process and creates room for possibility. It acknowledges where you are while pointing toward where you're going.
Let me share an example. Imagine you're starting a business or pursuing a dream. You might think, "I don't know enough to make this work." With a growth mindset, that thought becomes, "I'm learning what I need to know to make this work." The emphasis shifts from what you lack to what you're building.
Self-doubt often disguises itself as procrastination, rooted in fear of failure or rejection. When you find yourself hesitating to take the next step, ask: "Am I holding back because I truly need more preparation, or am I letting fear delay my progress?" Acknowledging the role fear plays helps you push past it.
Practical Tools to Strengthen Your Growth Mindset
Here are some practical tools to help you strengthen your growth mindset and break free from limiting beliefs:
1. The Experimental Approach
Treat new opportunities as experiments—try something, learn from it, adjust. Growth comes through action, not perfection. Each "failure" is just data for your next attempt.
Think of Thomas Edison and his thousands of unsuccessful attempts to create the light bulb. When asked about his failures, he famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." That's the experimental mindset in action.
2. Break the Comparison Trap
Growth isn't about measuring yourself against others. Their path isn't yours. Instead of comparing, focus on your unique journey and progress. Ask yourself regularly: "How have I grown compared to where I was last month?"
3. Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge every bit of progress, no matter how small. These celebrations create momentum and reinforce your new empowering beliefs. Keep a "wins journal" where you record daily or weekly accomplishments.
4. Future Self Visualization
Write a letter to your future self, imagining the growth and opportunities you'll embrace. This visualization creates a powerful connection to the person you're becoming.
Your Renewal Journey Continues
Breaking free from limiting beliefs and cultivating a growth mindset are powerful steps in your season of renewal. These practices create space for new opportunities, deeper connections, and authentic joy.
Remember, this isn't a one-time fix—it's an ongoing practice. Each time you choose to challenge a negative thought or try something despite fear, you're strengthening the muscle that helps you see your potential more clearly.
Reflection Questions to Guide Your Practice
Take a moment to consider:
- What limiting belief has been holding you back the most?
- Where did this belief originate? Is it truly yours, or did you inherit it?
- What would become possible if this belief no longer controlled your choices?
- What small step can you take today to challenge this belief?
Join Our Season of Renewal Community
The journey of breaking free becomes more powerful when shared:
- Connect with me on Threads: @ptangentpodcast
- Visit the blog: www.ptangentpodcast.com
- Listen to the full podcast episode for deeper insights
In our next episode, we'll explore "The Power of Forgiveness: Freeing Your Mind and Heart." We'll discuss how forgiveness isn't about letting others off the hook—it's about releasing yourself from the weight of resentment and creating space for growth.
Until next time, remember: your potential is limitless when you recognize that most barriers exist only in your mind.
