How to Break Limiting Beliefs: A Step-by-Step Process to Free Yourself

Image Generated by Chat GPT+

Limiting beliefs are thoughts and convictions that restrict us from realizing our full potential. These beliefs often stem from external influences; society, family, or past experiences, and lead us to think that we're not capable of achieving certain goals or living the life we desire. For example, you might believe “I’m not good enough to start my own business” or “I’ll never be successful without a traditional career.”

The truth is, limiting beliefs are often not rooted in fact. They're just stories we've been told or have convinced ourselves are true. But this is not true. Your potential is only limited by the beliefs you hold.

So, how can we break these limiting beliefs and step into a version of ourselves that aligns with who we really are?

Here’s a simple, step-by-step process to start breaking free:

1. Identify the Limiting Belief

The first step to breaking limiting beliefs is recognizing that they exist. The mind is a powerful storyteller, and it’s easy to become immersed in our "story" without questioning it. A belief that you might not even know is limiting could be something like:

• “I can’t make a living doing what I love.”

• “I’m too old to start a new career.”

• “I don’t have what it takes to succeed.”

These beliefs feel real because we’ve told ourselves the same story so many times. This is where psychology comes in:our brains are wired to form patterns. We create narratives about who we are and what we can or cannot do based on experiences, societal messages, or feedback we’ve received over time.

2. Trace the Source of Your Limiting Beliefs

Once you’ve identified the limiting belief, it’s time to dig into where it came from. According to psychological theory, beliefs are often formed through social learning theory, which suggests that we pick up beliefs from our environment, primarily through observation, social interaction, and even reinforcement from authority figures.

For example:

• Did your parents or teachers tell you that being an artist is "a hobby, not a career"?

• Did society tell you that success equals a traditional 9-to-5 job?

• Was there a significant event, like failure or rejection, that reinforced a belief about your capabilities?

Often, we don't realize these beliefs were planted in us by others' perceptions or cultural norms. But these beliefs are not your truth, they are just stories you've been conditioned to believe.

3. Challenge the Limiting Belief

This is where the cognitive-behavioral science comes into play. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches us that our thoughts influence our feelings, which then influence our actions. Limiting beliefs are just thoughts, and like all thoughts, they can be challenged and changed.

Start by asking:

• Is this belief based on fact or opinion?

• Is this belief serving me, or is it holding me back?

• Are there any examples in my life where this belief doesn't apply?

One powerful tool in CBT is the Socratic method, which involves questioning the validity of our assumptions. For example, if you believe "I’m not smart enough to start a business," you might challenge this thought by asking: "When have I succeeded in something challenging before?" You’ll often find that these beliefs are not grounded in reality, but rather in self-doubt or fear.

4. Replace with Empowering Beliefs

Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset teaches us that people with a growth mindset believe abilities and intelligence can be developed over time. This is the core of self-empowerment: the understanding that you can change and grow.

Now that you’ve challenged your limiting beliefs, it’s time to replace them with empowering ones. If you’ve realized that “I’m not smart enough” was a limiting belief, replace it with, “I have the ability to learn and grow through effort and persistence.” Write it down, say it aloud, and visualize yourself living this new belief.

It’s important to remember that neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself, means that changing your thoughts literally changes your brain. Over time, your new empowering beliefs will become automatic as you continue to reframe old patterns.

Why You Have Limiting Beliefs You May Not Even Know Exist

Here’s the thing: limiting beliefs can be so deeply ingrained that we don’t even realize they are there. They become part of our mental framework and self-concept. From a psychological standpoint, our minds are constantly seeking patterns and trying to make sense of the world around us. This makes us highly susceptible to confirmation bias, where we focus on evidence that supports our existing beliefs and ignore evidence that contradicts them.

For example, if you’ve always believed that “success is only possible with a high-paying job,” your mind will naturally focus on stories that reinforce this (i.e., successful people in your life with traditional careers), while ignoring evidence of people who’ve achieved success outside of that framework.

Because these beliefs are often subconscious, we might not even question them. The key here is awareness. When we slow down and reflect on our beliefs, we start to see how immersed we are in our story and how much of it is tied to the messages we've received from others or our environment.

Breaking Free: The Importance of Awareness and Action

Ultimately, breaking free from limiting beliefs requires both awareness and action. It’s about making the choice to question what you’ve always thought was true and replacing those beliefs with ones that empower you to create the life you want.

By identifying where your beliefs came from, challenging them, and replacing them with new, more empowering beliefs, you can begin to free yourself from the constraints of your past.

Remember, you are not your beliefs. You are not the sum of the stories others have told you. You have the power to create new stories, and in doing so, you create a new reality.

What limiting beliefs are you ready to break free from? What steps will you take today to start shifting your mindset?

Lets Connect on LinkedIn