Limiting beliefs are like programs running deep inside our brains. They define the world, others and ourselves. In fact, we live by them. The problem is that we are prisoners of our beliefs, because we didn’t choose them. That’s why I’m sharing with you the 6 most common limiting beliefs and how to free yourself from them.

What are limiting beliefs?

Where do limiting beliefs come from?

They most often come from the words of others.

Here’s a little story of a little girl who sings louder and louder, while her mother has just come home from work completely exhausted. The mother finally tells her daughter to be quiet, because she has a horrible voice. The mother’s words become a belief, and as the little girl grows older, she becomes more and more shy, no longer daring to speak… because unconsciously, she believes she has a horrible voice.

In other words, we can make other people’s words, clumsy and unaware of the harm they can cause, into beliefs that will prevent us from being happy.

Limiting beliefs also come from ourselves, from what we repeat to ourselves.

For example, if the first time we spoke in public went badly, we might believe that we’re useless and not cut out for it. On the other hand, if it went well, then we might believe that we’re gifted, that we have a talent.

That’s why we have to be very careful not to generalize a life experience or exaggerate what happened to us.

What are the effects of limiting beliefs?

They can have a huge impact on our lives.

Let’s talk about several pharmaceutical studies that demonstrate the power of placebos, drugs that are nothing more than sugar cubes, but which are prescribed to people as if they were real medicines. For example, a placebo is as effective as morphine in 54% of cases.

But there’s another, even more powerful study. People were given placebos and told they were chemotherapy, and 33% of them lost their hair. People have lost their hair by ingesting a sugar cube, just because they thought they were ingesting a drug that was going to make them lose their hair…

So beliefs are powerful. They can do us good or harm.

That’s why it’s essential to become aware of all the beliefs we harbor within ourselves and to sort them out, keeping only those that make us happy.

How do you become aware of your limiting beliefs?

Most of the time, we are unaware of our beliefs. They’ve become embedded in us unconsciously.

That’s why, in order to change them, we must first become aware of them.

Ask yourself this first question: what would my life be like if I had no limits in terms of money, qualifications, skills or time: what would I do? What would my work, family and social life be like? Where would I live? What would my hobbies be? How would my daily life unfold?
Then ask yourself this second question: what’s stopping me from living this desired life?
Take as much time as you need to answer these two questions.

1 – Limiting belief: I can’t do it

One of our biggest beliefs is that we’re not capable of living our dream life.

This is not true. It’s not that we’re not capable, but rather that we don’t know how to go about living our dream life. The real question is how we can actually achieve it!

That’s why it’s important to “demystify” our project.

If, in our dream life, we’re doing another job, and today we don’t know how to go about doing the job we’ve been dreaming of, then we’re going to have to think about how!

So we’re invited to list precisely everything we need to do to realize our project.

Then, for each task, note what we know how to do and what we don’t yet know how to do.

Then all we have to do is acquire the missing skills.

Remember, we’re here to learn. If you don’t know, it’s not that you’re no good at it or that it’s not for you, it’s just that you have to learn.

2 – It’s too difficult

“He who lets the first difficulty stop him doesn’t go far in life.”

To be happy, we need to give the best of ourselves, to do the best we can, to simply do. Indeed, happiness is found in action.

So don’t give up on your dreams just because they seem too difficult. In fact, it’s perfectly normal for it to be difficult at first.

What’s more, we don’t have to do things alone. We can ask for help and support. But then again, a belief holds us back: I don’t want to bother others with my project.

“You don’t get much done in life if you don’t know how to reach out to others and ask for support, backing, help, advice, contacts.”

3 – Limiting belief: I’ll upset others with my project

In fact, we’re not afraid of disturbing, we’re afraid of being told “no”.

“Your fear stems from a confusion between rejecting a request and rejecting a person. Just because someone declines a request from you doesn’t mean they don’t like you or have no consideration for you.”

Let’s learn to take “no” for an answer, and above all let’s learn to take “yes” for an answer, because most people want to please and be useful to others. Most of the time, we’ll be surprised by the number of people who say “yes” to us.

4 – I’m going to fail as always

“A baby will fall an average of two thousand times before he can walk.”

Failure is part of life. It’s a good way to learn, and by no means a sign to stop trying.

So don’t let the fear of failure stop you from doing what makes you happy.

Go ahead, fail and try again!

5 – I don’t want to give up on anything

“There are circumstances when we are led to make choices, and therefore to give up things we value, in order to move towards what we hold most dear.”

“I’d just like you to realize that you can’t achieve your life’s dream if you’re not prepared to make efforts and, if necessary, a few sacrifices.”

A character realizes that to carry out his project, he will need to do some training and therefore spend some money.

At first, he says “I don’t have any money”, but the person accompanying him points out that he does have money to take a vacation on the other side of the world. The character replies that vacations are important to him, that they’re a pleasure. And the other invites him to realize that there’s a difference between enjoying oneself and building one’s dream life…

Initially, when we’re building our dream life, we’ll need to make a few sacrifices and show some willpower!

6 – Limiting belief: I will disappoint my family

“They have a right to that opinion, and you have a right to do what you want with your life.”

“Everyone is responsible for their own appreciation. You are not responsible for the opinions of others.”

We don’t exist to please others, to fit into boxes that people would like us to fit into. We’re here to be ourselves, and that means some people won’t understand our choices, but that’s none of their business.

In fact, other people don’t always realize how important it is to us, they think they’re doing the right thing by telling us all sorts of things that go against our dreams.

Don’t listen to them. Don’t let others sabotage your dreams. They have theirs, you have yours. Protect them!

The solution is to stay away from these people, not to talk to them about your plans.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Opening up to spirituality: 100 quotes that are good for the soul
Discover 100 quotes to let go of your worries

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown

The author explores how vulnerability is essential to breaking the limiting beliefs that get in the way of happiness. Brené Brown looks at the courage required to be authentic and open to our imperfections, showing how vulnerability fosters connection and resilience. Through storytelling and research, she debunks society’s myths and encourages readers to overcome self-imposed barriers, ultimately revealing that vulnerability is not a weakness but a means to a more fulfilling and joyful life.

What an incredible book…. extraordinary information given in a fun, insightful and compassionate way with Brene Brown’s wonderful sense of humor……
I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who consciously strives to be the best they can be .

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself