Every person has limiting beliefs. It’s normal and part of being human. The number of limiting beliefs in the world is unlimited because every person is different and has different experiences and personalities. Some limiting beliefs are common, such as the fear of failure, while others might be unique to only a few people.
All limiting beliefs fall into three categories, however: limiting beliefs about yourself, limiting beliefs about other people, and limiting beliefs about the world. Some can be placed into more than one category, and some might move from one category to another based on whether they’re about you or other people, but these are the three basic categories.
Limiting Beliefs About Yourself
Most limiting beliefs are personal. They are limiting beliefs you hold about yourself, about who and what you are, what you can and can’t do. They’re your beliefs about what your limits are and how far you can go in life. Now, while it’s true that you do have real limits -most people can’t make it into the astronaut corps, for example, and no one is going to become Batman any time soon -most of them aren’t true, hence why they’re limiting beliefs.
Here are some examples: “I fail at everything I try.” “I’m no good at managing money.” “I can’t maintain a healthy relationship.” “I’m too young/too old.” “I’m not worthy of love.”
These beliefs come to us often from when we are children and we tell ourselves stories about how the world works because our brains can't understand what is happening. As we grow, our brains give us evidence to back these stories up, and they become beliefs.
Limiting Beliefs About Other People
This is the second-largest category of limiting beliefs. These are the limiting beliefs you hold about other people -what other people are like, how they act, what they believe, etc. Again, while some of the beliefs you hold about other people are true, the limiting beliefs are demonstrably false and harm your ability to have healthy relationships.
Here are a few examples: “Everyone is greedy.” “No one can be trusted.” “No one wants a relationship anymore.” “Everyone cheats on their spouse.” “Everyone’s a liar.”
One of the dangers about these beliefs is that we compare ourselves to others. Either we build ourselves up, "at least I'm not that bad." or we tear ourselves down, "if only I had it together like she did." In most cases we have no idea what the person's life is like that we are comparing ourselves to.
Limiting Beliefs About the World
Finally, this category contains your limiting beliefs about the world and how it works. Everyone has a different worldview. Some of the things in it are real, some aren’t, and some are limiting beliefs. Here are a few examples from this category:
“You can’t succeed unless you know the right people.” “It’s too difficult to get ahead these days.” “I can’t find a job in a recession.” “There’s so much competition, why bother?” “I can’t make it here anymore.”
One of the most dangerous ways this type of limiting belief can play out is when we think in terms of, "reality." The reality of the situation is...there is no reality. Your reality is the culmination of all the experiences, memories, and beliefs you've accumulated. It may be totally different from my reality! Interesting perspective, no?
So this idea of releasing these limiting beliefs becomes one giant perspective shift. We learn to see the world in a new way, one with more opportunities, peace and prosperity.
Comments