How to Change Self-Limiting Beliefs

How to Identify and Change a Self-Limiting Belief

Written By Tiffany Woodfield, Financial Coach, TEP®, CRPC®, CIM®

A self-limiting belief is your perception of yourself or others that keeps you from achieving what you want. Think of it as the story you tell yourself on repeat. To overcome a limiting belief, you must first recognize what that belief is.  

To recognize your self-limiting beliefs, ask yourself these questions:

• What do you want to achieve, and why you aren’t pursuing this goal?
• What negative thoughts make you believe you cannot attain what you desire? 
• What do you tell yourself that doesn’t align with becoming the person you want to be? 

Recognizing your negative ingrained beliefs is the first step toward breaking free from their power over you and creating a more empowering self-image. 

Ten Examples of Self-limiting Beliefs

1. I am not good enough, smart enough, fun enough, etc
2. This is too hard
3. I deserve what I have
4. I am not good at ___
5. I didn’t grow up with
6. I am unlucky
7. I am not worthy of ___
8. I am not good with ___
9. I can’t change
10. I am too busy

How to Overcome These Beliefs 

To overcome self-limiting beliefs, you need to: 

1. First, identify them by listening to how you talk to yourself.
2. Then, follow the thought and find out where it originally came from.
3. Next, appreciate their impact on your life, especially how they hold you back.
4. Ask yourself if they are 100% true. 
5. Challenge yourself to think of a reason why this belief isn’t true.

It’s really that simple! You can journal about these beliefs and go deeper. But ultimately, you just need to identify them and challenge them. 

Common Question about Self-Limiting Beliefs

Can changing my self-limiting beliefs help me become better at managing my finances?

If you have the self-limiting belief that “you aren’t good with money” or “will never be successful,”  it is like having a parking brake on while trying to drive forward to financial freedom.  

For example, let’s say you aim to save for a down payment on a home. So, you set this intention and write it down.  

If subconsciously you keep saying to yourself, “I will never have enough money; I am not good with money,” your goal and limiting belief are working as opposing forces.  This tension makes it difficult (maybe even impossible!) to become better at managing your finances. 

Before you criticize yourself for holding these beliefs, acknowledge that it is not surprising to have them. 

Most people possess limiting beliefs about money, mainly because they are often unaware of the power of their thoughts. Plus, education about the influence of beliefs is not typically taught in schools or by parents. This lack of awareness leads to generations repeating the same financial mistakes as they fail to recognize and let go of limiting money beliefs that no longer serve them.

How can being self-aware help you spot beliefs that hold you back?

I recommend dedicating time each day to meditate or simply sit quietly and be present to enhance your self-awareness. 

While you may not immediately recognize your limiting beliefs during these moments of focus, meditation helps you develop a greater awareness of your thoughts. Many people underestimate the power of meditation.

Meditation isn’t just about the time spent in practice. It is also about the awareness you build throughout your day.

For instance, if you’re interested in pursuing a new career opportunity but don’t take the time to reflect quietly on why you haven’t acted on it, you might overlook key limiting beliefs. As you become more attuned to your thoughts, you’ll be better equipped to identify beliefs that aren’t serving you daily.

Can a coach help you overcome self-limiting beliefs?

Yes, the right coach provides tools and strategies to help you overcome your self-limiting beliefs.

They also serve as an accountability partner, keeping you on track and motivated to implement meaningful changes. A coach can help you reframe your mindset and unlock your full potential by offering support and guidance.

How do self-limiting beliefs affect your mental health and relationships?

How you perceive yourself significantly impacts both your mental health and your relationships.

You are the one who teaches others how to treat you, which involves recognizing when to set healthy boundaries. Your mental health informs your worldview and shapes the circumstances you encounter.

For instance, if you repeatedly tell yourself, “I am not worthy of love,” you may enter relationships with diminished confidence, struggle to establish healthy boundaries, and ultimately accept being treated poorly because, deep down, you believe you’re unworthy. 

This mindset can be quite unsettling! 

Cultivating self-love and recognizing one’s worth before entering into relationships is essential, as a strong sense of self-worth enhances one’s mental health and the quality of one’s connections with others.

How do experiences from your childhood shape your self-limiting beliefs?

We are sponges during childhood, absorbing the messages and values from those around us. 

We take our caretakers’ words as gospel and often lack the ability to question whether something is true. As a result, experiences—both positive and negative—can leave lasting imprints on our beliefs about ourselves. For example, if, as a child, you hear constant criticism or feel ignored, you may internalize the idea that you’re not worthy of love or success. 

These early messages can become self-limiting beliefs, affecting your confidence and decision-making for years. 

If that sounds like you, follow the simple step-by-step process I shared earlier in this post. You CAN overcome your limiting beliefs. It just takes patience and practice. 

Final Thoughts

It is hard to change and unlearn beliefs that you’ve held for a long time.

But here’s the thing: the effort you make will be worth it! As you release limiting beliefs, you will keep growing and moving toward your most treasured dreams. This experience of growth is so rewarding. 

You deserve the life you want and the opportunity to create your own destiny. 

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Related Articles

💎 22 Limiting Beliefs (Almost) Everyone Has and How to Deal

💎 What Are Limiting Beliefs About Money?

💎 Who Needs Financial Coaching?

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