We all have them. They get in the way of our goals and oftentimes even our happiness. They’re thought patterns that we sometimes don’t even know are there, and they’re holding us back from reaching our full potential.
We stand in our own way of achieving what it is we’re dreaming of. Unravelling the reasons behind our beliefs can help us break free from them, especially if they’re keeping us small.
Self-limiting beliefs are thoughts or beliefs that we hold about ourselves, which hold us back from reaching our full potential. These beliefs are often rooted in negative experiences, childhood experiences, or societal expectations, and they can impact our actions, behaviors, and emotions.
For example, someone may believe they are not capable of achieving their health goals because they have always struggled with weight loss. This belief can lead to self-sabotage, such as not sticking to a healthy eating plan or skipping workouts, ultimately hindering their progress.
Another common example is the self-limiting belief of not feeling good enough that can affect individuals in all aspects of their lives, including their health and wellbeing. This belief can stem from childhood experiences, negative self-talk, or societal expectations, and it can manifest in different ways, such as feeling unworthy of love, success, or happiness.
In terms of health and wellbeing, the belief of not feeling good enough can prevent individuals from taking care of themselves, pursuing their health goals, and making positive changes in their lives. For example, someone may avoid going to the gym because they feel they are not fit enough, or they may avoid seeking help for a health issue because they don’t believe they are worthy of support. It can also get in the way of their professional goals because they don’t believe they’re good enough to succeed, compete, ask for that promotion, etc. In many instances, this belief greatly impacts a person’s relationship life too which can have significant health and stress consequences like loneliness, arguments, lack of community, and more. This is important because the number 1 predictor of longevity is the quality of our relationship! Check out the research here.
Identifying and challenging the self-limiting belief of not feeling good enough is essential for better health and wellbeing. Health coaches can help clients recognize the impact of this belief on their health and encourage them to reframe it into a more empowering belief. For example, instead of thinking “I am not good enough to lose weight,” clients can reframe the belief as “I am worthy of a healthy and happy life, and I am capable of achieving my weight loss goals.”
By replacing negative self-talk with positive and empowering beliefs, individuals can boost their confidence, motivation, and resilience, and take positive action towards their health goals. I support my clients in this process by providing tools, strategies, and mental exercises to overcome self-doubt, self-compassion, and by encouraging the celebrating of their successes, no matter how small they may seem.
Having a trusted friend or family member to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to share your thoughts and beliefs, can be another great way to receive support and guidance to challenge negative beliefs. Our loved ones will often encourage us to reframe them into more positive, empowering ones!
Check out this awesome article on what you can do to identify yours, and how to expand your mindset and overcome them.