Limiting Beliefs
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are false, often negative thoughts and assumptions that we hold about ourselves and others. These beliefs act almost like invisible barriers that hold us back in ways that we often don’t even realize.
Limiting beliefs shape our actions, decisions, and our sense of possibility. They tell us what we can and cannot do, who we can and cannot become. Ultimately, they prevent us from reaching our full potential because they stop us from pursuing our goals and dreams.
Examples of Limiting Beliefs
Ambition Limiting Beliefs
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
These are the beliefs that hold us back from pursuing major personal, career, or life goals. They sound like:
- “I could never become a CEO.”
- “I’m not smart enough to launch a business.”
- “I’ll never earn that kind of money.”
- “I’m too young to be a manager.”
These beliefs alter the trajectory of our lives. By not challenging them, we settle for less than we truly want or are capable of achieving.
Experience Limiting Beliefs
“When death finds you, may it find you alive.”
These beliefs might seem small or trivial, but they significantly shrink our daily enjoyment and exploration of life. Do these sound familiar?
- “I’m terrible at dancing… I’m not getting on that dance floor.”
- “I could never learn a second language.” Personal note: Esto no es verdad. Estoy aprendiendo español!
- “I’ll never be good at public speaking.”
These types of beliefs may not derail our lives like Ambition Limiting Beliefs might. However, they keep our lives unnecessarily small and safe.
Preventing us from stepping into new experiences or trying something that could bring joy, connection, or growth. They snowball over time, limiting joy, curiosity, and connection.
Possibility Limiting Beliefs
These beliefs shape our understanding of what’s fundamentally possible or impossible. They’re the invisible walls we build around life’s broader realities.
- “Life doesn’t give second chances.”
- “People don’t change.”
- “Humans walking on the moon? Yeah, right.”
Terry Fox Changed What We Believe Is Possible
Terry Fox shattered this kind of limiting belief spectacularly. After losing his leg to cancer at just 18 years old, it would have been easy, understandable even, for him to accept that his physical abilities were permanently diminished. But instead, he chose to redefine what was possible.
With his Marathon of Hope, Terry set out to run across Canada, proving that obstacles are not limitations—they’re just challenges to overcome.
Amazingly, Terry ran the distance of a marathon every single day on a prosthetic leg. As I write this, I’m reflecting on my own limiting beliefs about whether I could ever run a marathon or not. Then I think about Terry Fox, who ran over 5,000 kilometres covered in just 143 days.
Terry’s story is a powerful reminder that limiting beliefs aren’t facts, they’re choices. He chose courage, purpose, and relentless action, profoundly reshaping millions of people’s perceptions of what’s possible.
When Limiting Beliefs Serve Us
Not all limiting beliefs are inherently harmful. Sometimes, they serve as guardrails, helping us navigate life in a way that aligns with our values or keeps us safe.
For example, I have a strong limiting belief about drug use. Yes, technically, “Drugs will ruin my life” is a limiting belief. Clearly, Grade 8 health class was very effective. That’s a limiting belief that I’m perfectly okay with. In this case, the belief serves as a protective boundary rather than a restrictive barrier.
The key is to discern between beliefs that keep us aligned with our values and those that unnecessarily constrain us.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs?
Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
“Some men see things as they are and say ‘Why?’
I dream things that never were and say ‘Why not?’” — Robert F. Kennedy
Identifying limiting beliefs is the first and most critical step to overcoming them. These beliefs often operate below the surface, influencing our actions and decisions without us even realizing it. By bringing them into our conscious awareness, we can begin to overcome them.
Reflect on Where You Feel Stuck
Start by examining the areas of your life or work where you feel like you’re hitting a wall. These might be situations where you:
- Avoid taking risks
- Procrastinate on big goals
- Feel frustrated because of lack of progress
- Say “I can’t do that” or “I could only do x if y”
Some great areas to explore are relationships, career, finances, fitness/health, or personal growth.
Write Them Down
Putting your limiting beliefs on paper helps you see them clearly for what they are- limiting thoughts, not truths. For example:
- “I’m not good enough to close that deal.”
- “I don’t have the experience to be a Sales Manager.”
- “I could only hit those numbers after years of being in sales.”
Challenge and Reframe Your Limiting Beliefs
Once you’ve identified a limiting belief clearly, actively challenge its truth. Ask yourself:
- “Is this belief genuinely true, or is it just something I’ve accepted without question?”
- “What evidence is there that disproves this belief?”
- “How would my life change if I simply didn’t believe this anymore?”
Then, reframe your limiting belief into an empowering statement:
“I’m not smart enough to launch a business.”
“I can learn what I need to succeed in business. I’ve tackled tough challenges before.”
By regularly reinforcing these reframed beliefs, you start dismantling old patterns and open new pathways forward.
Just Do It
Once you’ve identified your limiting belief and reframed it, there’s only one thing left: act.
Take the step. Send the email. Join the class. Speak up. Apply. Book the flight.
Whatever the thing is, do it before your old belief tries to talk you out of it again.
You don’t need more time.
You don’t need more clarity.
You need momentum.
Even one small action chips away at the false narrative that’s been running your life.
Because once you act, you stop arguing with the belief and start disproving it.
Your beliefs are optional. Choose wisely.
