The fact that you’re reading this article tells me that you want a better life. You want to achieve more, do more and be more.
… but you find yourself feeling empty and stuck, unable to move towards what you want.
And do you know what’s holding you back?
It’s your limiting beliefs.
One of the most common problems I’ve noticed among people is that their limiting beliefs act as a roadblock.
These beliefs prevent them from realizing their full potential.
I’m sure you feel that way too.
… which is why I’d like to reference this chained elephant analogy here:
A chained, gigantic elephant is a common sight in most of the temples in India.
An elephant’s natural tendency is to roam freely and do what it wants like its counterparts in the forest.
The elephant can free itself by breaking the chain or uprooting the post that holds it.
But it doesn’t.
Have you wondered why?
It’s because of its conditioning.
When the elephant is a little calf, it is tied to a strong post with a powerful rope.
The little elephant instinctively tries to break the rope with all its might.
But it isn’t strong enough to do so. Realizing it’s of no use, it stops struggling.
And finally, it gives up and never tries again ever.
Just like the chained elephant that has given up, there’s a chance that you’ve given up in some areas of your life.
Maybe due to limiting beliefs, previous failures or conditioning.
During my coaching engagement, I uncover the beliefs and thoughts that are sabotaging you, so you can break them and realize your full potential.
Your beliefs influence your behavior:
If you don’t believe that you can do or have something, there’s literally no chance that you’ll end up taking the action necessary to achieve your goals.
Breaking limiting beliefs isn’t challenging. It’s all about overcoming the following 4 mental and emotional challenges such as:
- Self-doubt
- Fear of uncertainty
- Lack of confidence
- Poor stress management
When it comes to breaking limiting beliefs, the first step consists in identifying what they are.
The problem with most people is that they are not aware. They try moving without paying attention to the cord that’s binding them to their old ways.
… And when they try crossing their boundaries, the cord restrains and pulls them back.
They try again and again, but find themselves bound and struggling.
Eventually they give up.
There are 10 common limiting beliefs that hold most people back. Learn them and identify what’s holding you back and break the cord.
Don’t try to run without breaking the cord. You’ll struggle again.
The 10 Limiting Beliefs That Prevent You From Realizing Your Full Potential…
I don’t have enough time:
This is a common theme that runs among many of my executive and entrepreneurial clients. I’m sure you tell yourself multiple times too.
… but here’s the thing, my friend:
Everybody on this earth is given the same amount of time each day – 24 hrs. It all depends on how we use it.
It’s about making well thought-out choices and managing your priorities.
If you can’t do something because you have to do something else, just say it. Be honest with your clients, peers and others.
But never say, “I don’t have the time to do it”.
… because it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that further dooms you to a life of misery.
I don’t have the right skills:
This is a big excuse that prevents a lot of people from taking on opportunities that knock on their door.
I’m sure you’ve had doubts about taking up a new project or activity because of this belief.
And here’s what you need to remember:
Nobody is born with special skills. Anyone you come across that’s good at something, has put in consistent effort to get good at it.
The skills you want to master are going to take time. And it’s learnable.
All you have to do is prioritize and begin putting in the consistent effort necessary to get there.
I don’t have the right educational qualifications:
This is a belief that holds many talented people back.
They think that just because they are uneducated or don’t have certain educational qualifications, they don’t deserve/or are capable of achieving something.
This is far from the truth.
Some of the most successful people in our society today never graduated.
They simply got to the top with sheer hard work and determination.
So the next time you tell yourself, “I don’t have the right qualifications to be X”, tell yourself the following:
“Thank you for sharing. I may not have the right qualifications for X but I have the willpower and determination to do more than just X. So I am perfectly capable”.
Remember, a fancy degree from an Ivy League University is not a necessity. What matters is the right skill and attitude.
I am overwhelmed:
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when you have to do many things to focus and work on.
In that situation, it’s time to introspect and re-examine your priorities.
The best approach in such a situation is to narrow down and focus on one or two goals and give your best shot at it.
Too many goals at the same time will cause internal conflict and end up derailing you.
I Am Too Young/Old:
Many of my younger clients tell me that they are not old enough to do X, Y & Z.
… and my older clients tell me that they are too old and therefore they can’t do X, Y & Z.
As I see both sides of the coin, I always chuckle.
Your age is just a sign of your emotional strength. Nobody decides whether you’re too old or too young for something.
So long as you’re legally allowed to perform/practice what you want, what else can hold you back?
I Need To Be Perfect:
Now this was a limiting belief that held me back too.
When I started my Professional coaching career, I felt that I needed to be ‘PERFECT’ before I could:
- Write a blog
- Write articles for the most published newspaper
- Speak in front of an audience
- And so on
It held me back for many weeks.
… until I told myself that nobody starts perfectly and perfection is a state that you have to strive towards.
You will never start off perfect at anything. But you have to start and then strive for perfection.
Here’s my special tip for that: Do your best every time out, and always strive to do it better.
What If I fail:
The fear of failure is another major belief that holds many people back from pursuing their goals and projects.
There’s only one way to break out from this fear…
To stop focusing on failure and prepare yourself to face failure.
You have to tell yourself that you will get back up even if you fail.
It’s about resiliently bouncing back and giving your best shot every time out.
That’s the only way to break out of this tendency.
Always remember this – your energy flows in the direction of your focus. If you focus on failure, that’s where your energy will go and you will end up creating such situations.
But if you focus on success, success will be the natural result.
I Don’t Have The Right Contacts Or The Network:
Some people use this as an excuse and prevent themselves from going forward. It’s an easy excuse to fall into.
… but remember, when you say that, you are being a victim.
When you let an external situation control or prevent you from doing what you need to do, you’re being a victim.
… and if you continue giving that as an excuse (or internally believe it), you will miss out on your chance to greatness.
I Am Not Good Enough:
If you don’t believe in yourself, how on earth can you expect anyone else to believe in you?
If you want to be successful and achieve all of your goals, you have to believe in yourself and back yourself.
You have to be your best friend.
So begin rewriting your story. Tell yourself that you’re good enough. Pat yourself on the back and push yourself.
I Don’t Have Enough Money:
Not everybody that’s successful today started off with a ton of money.
Many top-level executives and entrepreneurs that I am interviewing right now for my book came from a humble background with no financial backing at all.
They achieved everything by holding to their vision steadfastly and a bulldog determination.
If you are serious about breaking your limiting beliefs and creating the life you want, then sign up for a Strategy Call using the link below
Yes, I Want To Break My Limiting Beliefs & Become Successful
Working with a professional coach who can listen to your frustrations non-judgmentally and support you will help you get results faster.
Besides working with clients 1 on 1, I also engage with corporate teams through my Group Coaching Sessions.
Through these sessions, your team will learn to make powerful changes to their current engagement and improve performance. In my personal intervention, I will teach them how to…
- Develop a die-hard attitude for their personal and professional lives
- Break their limiting beliefs
- Increase their productivity
Are you an executive who’s looking to increase your team’s overall productivity? The mail me on enquiry@satishrao.in to bring in the much needed change within your team.
Thank you for reading my post. I regularly write about Leadership, Health & Wellness.