Overcoming the five limiting beliefs that hinder success

Jay Arthur

How many times have you gotten into a tough situation and done something “dumb”? Perhaps you even said to yourself, “Boy…I’ll never do that again.” But then the next time you were in a similar situation, you did the same “dumb” thing again. That’s a limiting belief.

Or, how many times have you heard yourself say (to yourself or others), “I’m not good with money,” “I’ll never get the job I want,” “No one will ever want to be in a long-term relationship with me,” “I always screw things up,” or any sort of negative message? Those are limiting beliefs.

Most people have a limiting belief or two that slows or even halts their success. Unfortunately, the majority of people don’t know they have limiting beliefs. As such, they go along day after day doing and saying the same things over and over, all the while wondering why they never reach their goals.

The good news is that you can change your limiting beliefs. Yes, it will take some careful thought and work on your part, but achieving your life’s purpose and dreams is within your reach. You simply have to listen to what you’re telling yourself and recognize the situations you continually find yourself in.

The following strategies will help you identify your limiting beliefs and turn them around for good.

1. Recognize the most common limiting belief phrase.
Limiting beliefs almost always begin with “I can’t because…” (Example: “I can’t find a good job because I never went to college.”) As soon as you say the word “because” you invoke a part of your brain that believes, “I have a reason.” That’s when you simply stop trying. So as long as you tell yourself that you can’t do something because…, you never will. 

2. Be aware of the five common limiting beliefs.

           
3. Question your beliefs.
Whatever your belief is or which phrase you’re using, question it. For example:

Since you likely see others living the life you want and achieving the things you desire, you know that your goals are possible. Analyze what these role models do and copy them so you can make progress in changing your limiting beliefs.

4. Test your new thinking.
Finally, take whatever belief you have and completely turn it around and test it. For example, suppose your limiting belief is “I can’t get the job I want because I never went to college.” You would test that by asking yourself, “How would not going to college make it even easier to get the job I want?” or “How would going to college make it difficult to get the job I want?” You may realize that many people never graduated from college but they’re worth millions or even billions of dollars and are passionate about their careers. If they didn’t graduate from college, how is it possible for them to get the job they wanted? Sometimes college makes you too stiff and rigid, and you can’t think broadly enough to get a better job or start your own company. So in some respects, going to college may be a hindrance, and someone who didn’t go to college has more creativity and is better able to take risks.

The key is to change your thought process and thereby your belief about a particular situation. When you open your mind to new possibilities for your situation, what seemed like a dismal circumstance can instantly transform into endless opportunity.

A New Belief – A New You
The goal of these three steps is to get your brain to notice your limiting beliefs and to see the other side of the beliefs. As you go through the process, writing everything on paper will help you better formulate your thoughts so you can pinpoint specific limiting beliefs and develop questions and answers to reverse them. Often, just knowing your limiting beliefs and acknowledging the possibilities that exist within them is enough to change your thought process. Other times, you need to refer to your written answers often to keep your new beliefs on track.

The bottom line is that when you rid yourself of limiting beliefs, anything you want in life becomes possible. So take the time to complete these steps today. By doing so, you’ll be able to attain all your personal and professional goals.

About the author:
Jay Arthur, the KnowWare Man, is author of “Debug Your Mental Software: Change Your Mind, Change Your Life!” and “How to Motivate Everyone!” Jay also created the “Lean Six Sigma System,” a collection of audio, video, books and software, is the author of “Lean Six Sigma Demystified” and created the “QI Macros SPC Software” for Excel. For information about the software of your mind, visit www.DebugYourMentalSoftware.com. For information about how to plug the leaks in your cash flow, sign up for free lessons online at http://www.Qimacros.com/excel-spc-software.html or call 888-468-1537.