Written by: Tracey Sofra, 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.
We all have them. Those self-limiting beliefs keep us from achieving our goals and living our best lives. Those voices inside our heads tell us we’re not good enough or capable of reaching for the stars.
What is a limiting belief?
A limiting belief is a false or negative belief you hold about yourself. Self-limiting beliefs are bad because they’re a type of core belief that can prevent you from reaching your full potential.
For instance, when you have self-limiting beliefs, you may not even try to achieve your goals because you don't believe that you can. It may become a self-fulfilling prophecy where you end up not achieving anything because you didn't believe that you could.
To reach your full potential, it’s crucial to identify and change limiting beliefs. Once you do this, you’ll be able to see what’s truly possible for you.
What are the top 10 self-limiting beliefs and how do you change them?
Now that you know what a limiting belief is, let's talk about the top 10 self-limiting beliefs and how to overcome limiting beliefs like the ones listed below!
1. "I can't do this."
“I can’t do this” is a negative thought that often stems from being overly critical about yourself. You may hold yourself to incredibly high standards or have anxiety about not being able to do something absolutely perfectly.
The first step to overcoming this self-limiting belief is to take a step back and pause for a moment. Understand that you’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for. Everyone has moments of doubt, but it’s possible to push through these moments and continue moving forward.
When you begin thinking, "I can't do this," try to counter that thought with a positive affirmation like "I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to."
2. "I'm not worthy of love."
Believing you’re not worthy of love is a form of toxic shame that can stem from neglect, abuse, or wrong actions you took in the past that you now regret.
This one is tough, but it's so important. If you don't believe you're worthy of love, you'll never let anyone truly love you. You'll push people away, or you'll settle for relationships that are less than what you deserve. The first step to overcoming this belief is to change the internal dialogue you’re having with yourself. Cultivate a more compassionate “You” who forgives your former self for any and all of your past mistakes or experiences. Then, you can begin to heal.
It might take time, but eventually, you'll start to believe it. And when you do, you'll be able to let love in.
3. “I don’t deserve this.”
This is a form of self-deprecation that often comes from feelings of insecurity or unworthiness. And if left untreated, it might turn into self-sabotage that can unravel every part of your life — from your relationships to your career.
There are several tricks and tools you can use to overcome this limiting belief. One of my favourites is keeping a journal of all the things you’ve accomplished in your life. When you feel you don’t deserve something, the journal can serve as a reminder of why you do deserve it.
4. "I'm not ready yet."
Imposter syndrome is real. It convinces you that you’re a fraud or that you’re not quite ready to chase your dreams. That you just need to learn a *little bit more* to be taken seriously.
But the truth is, very few people ever feel completely "ready” to start something new. The key is to take baby steps. Rather than focusing on perfection, just focus on taking action. Give yourself permission to figure things out as you go.
5. "This is too hard."
When you encounter difficulties in life, it can be tempting to give up and believe that things are just too hard. But nothing worth having comes easy.
If you want to achieve your goals — whether it’s paying off debt, learning to invest, or finding a higher-paying job — you need to be willing to put in the hard work required to reach them.
When you catch yourself thinking, "this is too hard," try to remind yourself that you’re capable of handling anything that comes your way.
6. "I can't change."
This is often the result of feeling stuck in a certain situation. Maybe you've been in a job you hate for years and you believe that you can't make a change. Or perhaps you're in a relationship that isn't fulfilling and you believe that you can't leave.
The truth is, you constantly have the power to change your life if you're willing to take the necessary steps. If you want to make a change, start by taking small steps in the right direction. Over time, you'll build up the confidence and courage to make bigger changes.
7. "I don't have enough _____." (time, money, resources, etc.)
This is another top 10 self-limiting belief that can take many different forms. Maybe you believe you don't have enough money, time, or resources. This sort of thinking can prevent you from taking action and achieving your goals.
To overcome this belief, try to focus on what you do have and how you can use it to your advantage. For example, if you believe you don't have enough knowledge to save, start researching and speaking to friends who have, also don’t be afraid to seek professional advice.
8. "I'm not good at _____." (fill in the blank with anything... relationships, parenting, my job, managing money, etc.)
Listen... everyone has something they're not good at — even the most influential people in the world. But that doesn't mean you can't get better at whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish.
Instead of saying, "I'm not good at managing money," for example, say, "I'm not good at managing money... yet. But I'm getting there."
When you just say, "I'm not good" (period), you slam the door in your face. You write yourself off and convince yourself things can never get better.
But when you add the word "yet" at the end, you give space to opportunity. You become a student, willing and ready to learn what it takes to improve. And it can make all the difference if you want to overcome limiting beliefs.
9. "I don't have time for this."
How many times have you told yourself, "I don't have time for _____."?
Maybe you believe you don't have time to work out, cook healthy meals, or pursue your hobbies.
This is a common belief that holds a lot of people back from living really fulfilling lives.
The truth is, you can make time for anything you want. It might take some effort and planning, but it's totally possible. So instead of saying, "I don't have time for this," say, "I'm going to make time for this."
10. "I don't know how to _____." (fill in the blank with anything... be happy, change my life, make friends, etc.)
First of all, you're not alone. Many people feel like they don't know how to do something... especially when it comes to audacious things like finding happiness, changing your life for the better, or navigating motherhood as a shy mum.
Fortunately, you have options. Read self-help books, ask questions, see a therapist... do whatever it takes to find the answers you're looking for.
And remember, it's okay to not have all the answers right away. Just take it one day at a time, and eventually, you'll figure out what works for you.
How to change limiting beliefs: Try this limiting beliefs exercise
If you want to change any of these top 10 self-limiting beliefs, give these exercises a try. It’ll help you identify which self-limiting beliefs may be holding you back so you can chart a path forward.
1. Recognize when you have any of these top 10 self-limiting beliefs
The first step to overcoming self-limiting beliefs is to acknowledge that you have them. It could seem obvious, but some people are not even aware of the negative beliefs they hold about themselves. This limiting beliefs exercise could be as simple as pausing every time you have a negative thought or emotion, then writing it down in a journal or in a note on your phone so you can evaluate it.
2. Pinpoint where the top 10 self-limiting beliefs originated from
Once you’ve acknowledged that you have a top 10 self-limiting belief, it’s time to pinpoint where it's originating from. Oftentimes, self-limiting beliefs are rooted in our past experiences.
For example, if you believe that you’re not good at managing money, it’s possible this belief originated from a negative experience you had in the past.
Maybe you maxed out your credit card or took out a personal loan without reading the terms. These types of experiences can lead to the development of self-limiting beliefs.
3. Question the validity of these top 10 self-limiting beliefs
Once you have pinpointed where the self-limiting belief originated from, the next step is to question the validity of the belief. This step cannot be skipped because it allows you to see that the belief may not be true.
For example, let's say that you believe you’re bad at managing money. You may have had a negative experience in the past that led to the development of this belief. However, this doesn’t mean the belief is true.
Maybe you’re good at managing money, but were in an emergency situation and needed cash fast. Or, maybe those were mistakes from your youth, but now you’re saving money each month and investing for your future.
These are examples of how you can question the validity of a self-limiting belief.
4. Reframe these top 10 self-limiting beliefs
A great way to overcome these top 10 self-limiting beliefs is to reframe the belief. This step is important because it allows you to see the situation in a new light.
For example, let's say you believe you’re not good at managing money. You can reframe this belief by telling yourself that you’re not good at managing money yet, but you will become good at it with practice. Or, you can tell yourself that you know how to make wise decisions with your money, and you look forward to welcoming more of it into your life.
These are both called positive affirmations, and they're perfect for combating negative beliefs.
5. Practice believing in yourself
After you’ve reframed your limiting belief, it’s time to put it into practice.
Give yourself grace and compassion, and repeat your positive affirmations every time you start to doubt yourself.
Another way to “practice believing in yourself” is to do things that are outside of your comfort zone.
For example, if you want to become a better saver, sign up for a savings challenge. Or, if you want to become a better writer, start a blog.
The sky is the limit when it comes to practicing new beliefs. Just make sure that you take actionable steps that will help you move closer to your goal.
Final thoughts about the top 10 self-limiting beliefs
Self-limiting beliefs can hold us back from achieving our goals and reaching our full potential. However, when you follow this guide, you will overcome limiting beliefs and start living the life you want to live.
If you would like to explore your self-limiting beliefs further, why not book a 15-minute discovery call to assess what you need right now.
Our bite-sized programs are designed to help you overcome any doubts about money management and investing. Fun, interactive, and hassle-free, they are simple and easy to understand and won’t suck the life out of you with time.
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Tracey Sofra, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tracey Sofra, is Australia’s leading Financial Advisor specialising in Women’s Financial Confidence. As a Business Leader, Mentor, Financial Advisor, Author, Speaker and Mum, for over three decades Tracey has shared her proven method for shifting mindsets and the limits to financial success for thousands of women. Her passion around financial freedom is infectious leaving you inspired to challenge the status quo, build confidence and create change. Tracey is dedicated to Investing in Women's Empowerment across the globe as part of a greater social impact across the UN Sustainability Goals.
