Overcome your limiting beliefs to uncover greater productivity

Negative self-talk can take many forms. It's that voice that tears us down, makes us feel small, and ultimately stops us from doing what we truly want to do. And, like bricks stacked on top of one another creating a wall that blocks us from reaching our full potential, those self-limiting beliefs are thoughts that we accept to be inherently true, even when they keep us from reaching our full potential.

Here’s a breakdown of what they are, how to identify them and, more importantly, how to overcome them so that we can take ownership of our productivity, motivation and achievements in life.

What are self-limiting beliefs?

Negative thoughts are internal ‘truths’ that we have created based on our life experiences throughout childhood and adulthood. Whilst some thoughts may have evolved due to repeated actions across many years, others can occur from one isolated experience.

Referred to as the ego, or inner critic, a limiting belief is a state of mind or belief that restricts us and damages our confidence, productivity and perceived worth. These negative thoughts are called ‘limiting’ as they hold us back from experiencing new opportunities and pushing beyond our comfort zones.

The first step to overcoming limiting beliefs is to first identify the cause behind them, so that you can better understand the process they take to manifest. Consider the goals you want to achieve but aren’t currently working towards. Usually, our limiting beliefs or self-perceptions can be found when we explore the reasons behind why we aren’t chasing after the things we want.

How to overcome self-limiting beliefs?

1. Identify the belief that is holding you back

Now you have begun to explore the causes of limiting beliefs, you may have spotted a few clear ones you’re holding on to. Begin by creating a list and writing down the limiting beliefs you have e.g. I’m too old/young, I lack the money and resources to start or I don’t have time. Use this sheet as a guide to help you uncover more limiting beliefs: Self-limiting beliefs worksheet

2. Recognise that it’s just an assumption

Work your way down the list and challenge each thought you have written. Identify where the thought has come from and what support it has to be true. Ask yourself:

• Where has this belief come from?
• Is it really true?
• What is the evidence I have to support this?
• What examples do I have that contradict this belief?

3. Adopt a new belief

Replace your limiting belief with a self-empowering belief, positive affirmation or mantra that will replace your negative thoughts and encourage you to improve your life.

it’s not a snap-of-the-finger process and takes work to overcome your limiting beliefs, by first identifying them, observing yourself and practicing to replace them with expanding beliefs. It's a life-long journey to challenge and tackle your self-limiting beliefs one by one, but the way you live your life is a reflection of the thoughts you think, and conditioning yourself to your new beliefs will allow you to start creating the reality you want.

Managing your fears and worries

Fears and worries are an important aspect of the negative self-talk that we inflict upon ourselves as they are the main reasons we hold ourselves back. We sometimes use these two words interchangeably, but they are quite different. I think of it like an iceberg, with your worries being the visible part and the fears being below the surface.

Worry is the thought that something bad might happen. It is a slightly mild emotion that indicates a thoughtful dread. We allow ourselves to be preoccupied with something and by doing so we create negative thoughts that waste our time. We tend to manufacture worries as a manifestation of the main fear that's hiding below the surface.

When you worry too much, you can't stop yourself from listening to these negative thoughts and you use a space that could be used for problem-solving. These negative thoughts become so big that they overwhelm you and stop you from looking at your fears from a different perspective.

“To worry oneself is a form of self-harassment. Worry is the fear we manufacture – it is not authentic. If you choose to worry about something, have at it, but do so knowing it’s a choice.” – Gavin de Becker

Fear, on the other hand, is an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of a danger or threat. It carries the idea of being scared by something, to the point of terror and is an intense emotion that tends to sit with us over a period of time. Fear is associated with our survival and our basic need to protect ourselves from danger.

Fear can also be the manifestation that something big and exciting is happening; a transition or transformation. We don't know what's on the other side, and our instinct tells us to stay in our comfort zones, due to the level of uncertainty it creates.

It's important to spend time looking at your worries and fears in connection with your limiting beliefs, as they occupy thinking space that keeps us from taking action and productively working towards our goals.

Here are 4 strategies to help you identify your current fears:

• Listen and be curious: discover your fears and worries by thinking back to toxic scenarios or negative situations and uncovering what you can learn from your behaviours during them.

• Transfer your energy: instead of simply playing back your negative thoughts, get into problem-solving mode. Begin to search for alternatives and look at the opportunities that you could create from situations.

• Break them down into manageable chunks: figure out small solutions that get you halfway through a challenge or dilemma instead of trying to come up with a big solution to solve it all at once.

• Let go and embrace uncertainty: accept that things might not work out or the notion that you can control everything and find peace of mind by trusting yourself to be resourceful.