article self limiting beliefs

							Self-Limiting Beliefs and How to Change Them
March 16, 2011

by Donna Wrich

        Inner beliefs are perceptions that we have of ourselves and have programmed into our
brains since we were children. They come from all around us- our experiences, family, friends,
professionals like teachers that we encounter, society, television, books..... The list goes on.
These beliefs can be positive but some of them are negative. They are what we believe, not
facts. Our positive inner beliefs help us to achieve success while the negative beliefs hold us
back and limit our success. These negative or self-limiting beliefs get in the way of us achieving
our goals.

        When baby elephants are trained not to roam, one leg is tied to a wooden post that is
planted in the ground. In the beginning, the baby elephant will try to break free but eventually
learns that it cannot break the rope. The baby elephant creates a self-limiting belief that it
cannot break free. When the elephant grows, it could easily break the rope, but because of the
negative belief, the elephant doesn't even try.

        This is the same thing that happens to us. We learn these beliefs and If we don't change
them, they become who we are. In order to break free, we have to change those negative
beliefs to positive ones. As long as you believe that you cannot accomplish something, you
won't accomplish it. Your inner beliefs define who you are, but inner beliefs can be changed.

Be aware of the five common limiting beliefs. (Arthur, 2011)

       It’s hopeless (Example: “I'll never be able to start my own business because I don’t have
        the money to do so.”) –

       I’m helpless (Example: “I’ll never be rich because no one ever showed me how to
        manage money.”) –

       It’s useless (Example: “I shouldn’t even bother going back to school because I won’t
        make much more money with a degree than I do now.”) –

       I’m blameless (Example: “I can’t get a better job because the economy is so bad.”) –
       I’m worthless (Example: I don’t deserve the job I really want because I'm not smart
        enough.”)

        If you ever say, "I can't....." then that is a limiting belief. It is not true, but if it is your
belief than it becomes true. "I can't get a job because....." As long as this is your belief, then you
won't get a job. "I can't save any money because....." If you continue to believe this, then you
won't ever save a penny.

        One way to change your negative self-limiting inner beliefs is to first identify them.
Write the ones that you know about yourself and then ask people close to you like friends or
family. What self-limiting beliefs do they see in you? Create new beliefs for yourself. Then next
to each negative belief write a new positive belief. For example:
I cannot speak in front of people; I am too shy.    I am a good speaker and have information that others will want to hear.


Every day look at your list of new positive beliefs and say them to yourself. Say them to yourself
whenever you are feeling a lack of confidence. You may even want to list them on a note card
to carry around with you so they are available throughout the day. If you keep saying them,
they will eventually become a part of you. You will have changed your inner beliefs to positive
ones and therefore will achieve more success.


Sources:

Arthur, Jay. The Five Limiting Beliefs that Hinder Your Success…and How to Overcome Them retrieved March 24, 2011 from
http://www.myarticlearchive.com/articles/8/211.htm
Don't Be Like The Elephant (2006) retrieved March 24,2011 from http://www.successnow.co.uk/dont-be-like-the-elephant.html