Written by: Aden Eyob, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Beliefs, commonly referred to as opinions, attitudes, and convictions, are unwavering thoughts that something is true. In the world of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), beliefs are based on the expressions of your inner models or internal representation that you use to filter and make sense of the world around you.
A limiting belief is, in essence, the thoughts that you believe are true yet constrain you in some way, whether that be in your personal and professional capacity. The thing with unhelpful thoughts is that, in most cases, you are not aware of them as they are operating at the subconscious level. Limiting beliefs are the defense mechanism used by the subconscious mind from reliving a painful memory, experience, or childhood trauma.
The internal representation is how you experience the world and create behavior, whether positive or negative. This is done by absorbing patterns of external information through your senses (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory), known simply as VAKOG. Data is then filtered and organized by either: delete, distort, and generalize before forming your thoughts and thereby internal representation system. The internal representation that you make affects the way that you carry yourself, your physiology; this, in turn, affects the way that you feel "state." Your state, in turn, affects the quality of your behavior and consequently your result(s).
Examples of Limiting Belief Language at Play
Deletion in language means something important is left out of the sentence, limiting thought and action. For example: "It's all gone wrong" can be challenged with: "How has it gone wrong?"
Distortion in language means information is twisted in a way that limits choice and leads to unnecessary problems. For instance: "You think I'm stupid." This can be challenged by reframing as: "What makes you think that?"
Generalization in language means when one specific experience represents a whole class of experiences or is generalized to the whole. For example: "I must lose weight.” This thought can be reframed with: “When must you do that?”
5 Ways to Rethink Limitations
Self-awareness (identify, reframe, move forward): Your ability to heal your limitations is as good as your ability to know yourself. Taking time to Identify your blocks, reframe the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and take proactive measures to change the direction of your beliefs can only take place when you get to know yourself. Make time for knowing you.
Journal therapy: Part of letting go of limiting beliefs is acknowledgment. The best way to do so is to write down the limiting beliefs that are holding you back. Put them on paper and reflect. When you do so, you will unlock the path towards healing.
Surrender/release your limiting beliefs, not truths: Daily, review the limiting beliefs that you desire to release. State it out loud incorporating your senses so that you believe in what you release.
Visualisation: take time to reflect and imagine your life without your unhelpful thoughts. How do you feel, what do you see, what do you hear. Make space for your new belief to enter your reality through visualization.
Talk to a professional: As a certified Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (NLP), I can help you uncover you're why, unlock potential, and free limiting beliefs to achieve your impossible desires. If you are ready to take the following steps to overcome your unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, then reach out to me at: aden@mind-medication.com
Food for Thought
In the words of Tony Robbins,
"The only thing that's keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself."
For more mindset tips, tools and inspiration, check out my book, The Book on Mind Training: The Secret for Positive Living on Amazon.
Aden Eyob, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Aden Eyob is a leader in mindset. She is the clinical neuroscientist and author, The Book on Mind Training: The Secret for Positive Living. She is the founder and CEO of Mind Medication, a fusion of neuroscience-psychology and spirituality-based mindset consulting and speaker service that helps you uncover your why to unlock potential and free limiting beliefs to achieve the impossible. Her clients include CEOs, entrepreneurs, and celebrities—her mission: a world free from limiting beliefs.
