“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right” – Henry Ford
Are you aware of your self-limiting beliefs? For a long time before I became a coach I did not have an understanding of what self-limiting beliefs were.
Self-limiting beliefs are those things you believe about yourself that place limitations on your abilities. They may be conscious or unconscious. They may be founded or unfounded for example: “I am too old to start this new line of business” or “I am not lucky; I won’t get the job”.
The reality is that it is never too late to work on your dream. The founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken started a new business venture at age 65! Luck isn’t the criterion for getting a job. You get jobs based on merit (at least in growth minded organizations).
Limitations are actually a thing of the mind. In reality we have no limitations! You can do anything if you make up your mind to do it. Determination always finds a way around obstacles.
Experts say your thoughts and beliefs define your vision and perception of the world. They determine your actions or inactions. Thoughts affect feelings. Feelings affect behaviour. Behaviour produces results (or the lack of them). It all begins with your thoughts, since you have to accept a thought for it to become a belief.
Do you know that whatever you believe becomes your reality? You do not believe what you see; rather you see what you already believe. For this reason, two people facing the same situation may interpret it differently, act according to their different beliefs and experience different outcomes.
Fortunately, you can get rid of your self-limiting beliefs. But first you have to be aware and identify them. They could be lurking in the recesses of our minds without our awareness. Talking with a friend or a coach can increase your awareness of these beliefs.
A limiting self-belief came into my consciousness when I was having a meeting with a very successful and senior executive of a global banking group last week. I had asked him a question about his expectations about something and he started to describe what he thought about my skills and experience. By the time he was done, I was walking on cloud 10! I did not realize I had those unique skillsets and experience to offer. I had limited myself to thinking I do one thing first and then grow gradually, yet I had the skill set, experience and wherewithal to already operate at a much higher level.
A first step in moving forward is to recognize that you need to get out of your own way to get ahead. Warning signs of self-doubt include a tendency to answer “yes, but…” when questioned about goals or progress.
Surrounding yourself with positive people who do great things also helps defeat those self-limiting beliefs. They make you realize what you are capable of.
Another step is to know that many self-doubters aren’t even aware that they are their own enemies—they constantly seek permission or approval before moving forward. If you’re perpetually working toward another “qualification, certification, designation or degree,” odds are you’re stalling and need to have a frank talk with yourself
In order to conquer self-limiting beliefs, taking action is key. Positive quotes will only go so far. You won’t move forward until you move to get out of your own way.
QUESTION – What are your own self-limiting beliefs and what will you do about it?