What are limiting beliefs? Do you know what your limiting beliefs are?
Limiting beliefs are thoughts we have about ourselves, life and other people that are often subconscious and that affect us, our expectations, how we live and our results. If you want to know how your limiting beliefs are affecting you, look at your life.
If you want to know how your negative thoughts are affecting you, pay attention to your feelings. You might know that you have anywhere from 60,000 to 85,000 thoughts a day. (Who counted?!) It’s obviously impossible to keep track of every one of your thoughts. But you can get important information by paying attention to your feelings – especially your really strong negative feelings.
Your thoughts create your feelings so when you are really angry or really upset or feeling really badly about yourself or really frustrated, become aware of what you’re thinking. Awareness is always the first step to change so stop what you’re doing and acknowledge what you’re feeling. Without judgment. Get a pen and a piece of paper and take a few deep breaths. Then write down whatever you’re thinking right at that moment.
Uncensored. Be real with yourself. You might think it’s not pretty or kind or spiritual, but allow it to be what it is. Don’t even stop to think about it. Just write whatever comes to you in the moment.
Your thoughts and perceptions about whatever is happening have created your feelings. Those negative thoughts or limiting beliefs are what are running your life and creating the outcomes that you have.
If you often feel as though you’re struggling and hitting a wall in your life, your limiting beliefs are holding you back. Beliefs such as:
- I’ll never do anything right.
- Nothing ever works out for me.
- Who am I to think that I can be really successful?
- Life’s too hard.
- Being rich isn’t spiritual.
- Rich people are lucky. I’m never lucky.
Take some time and write down your limiting beliefs and negative thoughts over the next few days. It’s critical information and the necessary place to start to create the life of your dreams.
So lovely to hear from you again, Anne. Also, your email was very timely. Due to some unfortunate events in my life, I’ve found myself slipping back into my old habit of negative thinking. This has definitely affected how I’ve been feeling lately. Looking forward to your next email very much.
Thank you so much, I am glad you are back.
Thanks, Siggy! I’m glad to be back and excited to get going with some projects that you’ll be hearing about shortly. Stay tuned.
All this is so true, we grow up believing these things about ourselves, sometimes because of family up-bringing, low self esteem, abusive relationships. We have to, in our thought proccess do some analizing and think that we are grown-ups now, and instead of allowing these thoughts to conquer our lives, we now have to reprogram our minds, and assure, or reassure ourselves that we can and will make changes for the better. Some help is really good, some people cannot do this on their own. Reading the Bible is the greatest, and there are other books that can assist and help to enrich ourselves in our thought proccess. Going to some seminas for positive life enrichment can help as well, mindset programs, some of the things that help.
I agree, Wendy. It’s very important to not let one’s mind run “amok”. There are many different tools that can help us gain control of our minds. It’s just a question of doing the work.
You are right in everything you say. What I find difficult to do is identifying and labeling those feelings or believes that lead to those feelings. So I find myself at a loss. Any suggestions for me?
Marcella, when you’re feeling something strongly, either negative or positive, write down the thoughts that you are having. And then see what feelings come up while you read your thoughts. Where are they in your body? Do you remember feeling this way before?
It might help to get some counselling, Marcella, so that you can learn to identify your thoughts and feelings more easily.
Anne
I believe you are accurate as I am my worst enemy and also at times my best friend. I call it pulling myself up by the bootstraps. I have never felt competent at anything, then I realized it was crippling me from even trying and if you don’t try you already are a failure. I have found a new strength. I try loads not always perfect but then I remember that I am in training for the new Item I am trying to do. I will get better. Love all you input and will enjoy your articles. Thanks
Thanks for your comment, Janice. Remember that courage is not the absence of fear but taking action in the face of fear. So you are very courageous! I think most of us can work on becoming as supportive of ourselves as our best friends would be.
Anne
Anne, I come from a place where expressing your feelings can be dangerous. I often find myself pushing down any negative feelings and focusing only on the more “acceptable” or positive ones. I do want to gain more insight into why I do this and how to stop it.
Hi Katherine,
Have you thought about doing some counselling to gain some understanding about your feelings and how to deal with the negative ones so that you don’t have to push them away? Feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Warmly,
Anne