What is a Belief?

A belief is a recurring thought; it is an acceptance by the mind that something is true or real and is often underpinned by an emotional sense of certainty (we take it as fact).  Beliefs are rules that can inhibit you and hold you to limitations.  Consider the acronym FEAR – “False Expectations Appearing Real”. 

Limiting, or self-limiting beliefs impose restrictions on our behaviour and prevent us from taking action towards our goals.  They disempower us, take away our confidence and limit our progress.  They are disempowering and are often wrapped-up in negative self-talk.  As much as 65% of our thoughts can be negative or redundant (Bruce Lipton) - imagine the impact that this has on our lives and work day in, day out.

Top Tips for Counteracting Limiting Beliefs

1. Practice “Surrendering all of your beliefs for just a few minutes every day” (Mark Waldenham), through the use of affirmations and new, positive thoughts.  The key here is repetition – regular, daily practice for at least 21 days (the minimum time it is believed it takes to imprint the new thought)

2. Bruce Lipton suggests: The use of hypnosis, subliminal tapes (particularly effective if listened to before going to sleep), energy psychology (such as EFT/Tapping) and meditation/mindfulness 

3. Ask yourself: “How does doing this or feeling this help me to achieve my goals?”  If the thought/feeling/belief is working against you, it needs to be re-written!

4. Employ a skilled coach who can highlight and challenge your limiting beliefs, having you evaluate whether certain thoughts and feelings are serving you and helping you to achieve your goals

5. Gain greater awareness of your negative self-talk; make a mental note or journal these thoughts and notice the patterns as to when it happens and the language that you use

6. Focus on what you want, i.e. the outcome, as opposed to what is not happening and consider the next positive step you could take towards achieving this outcome

Ultimately, negative, self-limiting beliefs can removed and replaced with more positive thoughts that serve us, are aligned to our values and help us to achieve our goals.  This can be done alone, but it takes focus, time and dedication.  Engaging with a trained coach will help to draw attention to limiting beliefs, as well as introducing you to powerful exercises that could help you to move forwards much quicker than in if you were attempting to do it on your own.

Vicki Messenger is a Women’s Business Coach, empowering aspiring, early-stage, side-hustling and pivoting female founders of purpose-driven businesses to create extraordinary lives through businesses that they love. 

You can find more of Vicki’s articles and complementary resources at www.vickimessenger.com and you can be part of exclusive expert interviews like this one by joining her free community, The Collective here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollectiveforwomeninbusiness/