Summary: Do you ever feel like you're holding yourself back from reaching your full potential? Many of us experience moments where we know we’re capable of more but feel stuck. The culprit? Limiting beliefs—those invisible barriers we build over time, based on past experiences, fears, and societal pressures. These beliefs shape the “rules” we live by, often without us realizing it.
In this week’s episode of Journey to Authenticity, Braiden shares his personal rules for life and offers advice on how we can rewrite our own. He breaks down how these self-imposed limits can be dismantled and replaced with empowering beliefs that drive us forward. This blog will dive into his insights and provide actionable steps to help you overcome your limiting beliefs and unlock your full potential.
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are thoughts, ideas, or convictions we hold that constrain us. They often stem from childhood experiences, societal conditioning, or even one-off incidents that shape our perception of what is possible. Over time, these beliefs solidify into rules that dictate our behavior and choices.
For example:
“I’m not smart enough to start my own business.”
“People like me can’t be successful.”
“I don’t deserve to be happy.”
These types of thoughts subtly (or overtly) shape the decisions we make every day. They restrict us from taking risks, pursuing passions, or simply living fully. But the good news is, these beliefs are not set in stone. They can be challenged and changed.
Step 1: Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
The first step to breaking free from limiting beliefs is identifying them. This might sound simple, but because these beliefs often operate unconsciously, it requires reflection and honesty. Ask yourself:
What area of my life do I feel stuck in?
What’s a goal or dream I’ve had but haven’t pursued?
What’s the reason I give myself for not going after it?
As you reflect, pay attention to the thoughts that arise. Maybe it's a fear of failure, a lack of confidence, or the belief that you're not good enough. Write down the limiting beliefs you uncover so you can actively work on them.
Actionable Tip: Keep a Journal
Start a daily or weekly reflection journal where you track your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. By regularly recording your internal dialogue, you’ll notice patterns in your thinking that reveal limiting beliefs you weren’t even aware of.
Step 2: Question Your Beliefs
Once you've identified the limiting beliefs, the next step is to challenge them. Question their validity. Often, these beliefs are not rooted in objective truth but are based on assumptions or outdated perceptions of ourselves.
Braiden suggests asking yourself:
Is this belief absolutely true, or is it just a story I’ve been telling myself?
Has someone else proven this belief wrong by achieving something similar?
What evidence do I have to support this belief?
Most of the time, you’ll find that these beliefs are not based on facts but on feelings, fears, or past experiences. When you recognize that they are simply thoughts, not truths, it becomes easier to let go of them.
Actionable Tip: Use the "5 Whys" Technique
A powerful way to dig deeper into your limiting beliefs is the “5 Whys” technique. For each limiting belief, ask yourself “why” it exists five times. Each answer will lead you to a deeper layer of understanding, helping you get to the root cause of the belief and better dismantle it.
Step 3: Replace Limiting Beliefs with Empowering Ones
It’s not enough to simply challenge your limiting beliefs—you need to replace them with new, empowering ones. This involves creating new rules for yourself based on possibility, rather than limitation. These new beliefs should be aligned with the person you want to become and the life you want to live.
For example:
Replace “I’m not smart enough” with “I am constantly learning and improving.”
Replace “I don’t deserve happiness” with “I am worthy of happiness and fulfillment.”
The key here is consistency. New beliefs, like old ones, require repetition to take root. Practice affirming these new empowering beliefs daily, and over time, they will begin to shape your reality.
Actionable Tip: Daily Affirmations
Start your day by repeating a set of empowering affirmations that reinforce the beliefs you want to embody. You can write them on sticky notes, use a reminder on your phone, or say them aloud during your morning routine.
Step 4: Take Action Despite Fear
One of the biggest challenges people face when trying to break free from limiting beliefs is fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown—it’s all part of the journey. However, Braiden emphasizes the importance of taking action despite the fear. Waiting until you feel 100% ready or confident often means you’ll never start.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to move forward in spite of it. The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you’ll realize that the things you feared weren’t as bad as you imagined. This builds confidence and weakens the grip of limiting beliefs.
Actionable Tip: Break It Down
If taking a big leap feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Each small action will build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll have taken huge strides toward your goal.
Step 5: Surround Yourself with Support
The people you surround yourself with can either reinforce your limiting beliefs or help you break free from them. Braiden emphasizes the importance of having a support system that uplifts and encourages you. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, push you to be better, and hold you accountable to your goals.
At the same time, be mindful of the negative influences that may be reinforcing your limiting beliefs. Whether it's toxic relationships, negative environments, or unsupportive voices, consider distancing yourself from these sources of doubt.
Actionable Tip: Find an Accountability Partner
Find someone who shares your goals or has a similar mindset, and commit to checking in with each other regularly. Whether it’s weekly calls, texts, or meet-ups, having someone to hold you accountable will keep you on track and motivated.
Step 6: Celebrate Your Progress
Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Breaking through limiting beliefs is a journey, and it’s important to acknowledge the victories along the way. Celebrating your progress reinforces the new beliefs you’re cultivating and builds confidence for future growth.
Actionable Tip: Create a "Wins" Journal
At the end of each week, jot down any successes, breakthroughs, or small wins you’ve experienced. This practice will remind you of your progress and help you stay focused on the positive changes you’re making.
Final Thoughts
Breaking through limiting beliefs takes time, effort, and persistence, but the rewards are worth it. By identifying and challenging these beliefs, replacing them with empowering ones, and taking action despite fear, you can rewrite the rules that guide your life. Braiden’s advice is clear: the only limits are the ones you set for yourself, and you have the power to change them.
With these steps in mind, start today by questioning the beliefs that are holding you back and embrace the potential for growth. The future is yours to create!
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