One may think that a limiting belief is plain and simple, but that’s not always the case. It doesn’t seem to be so cut and dry as one might wish! I look at limiting beliefs with such interest because, to me, a limiting belief is like on onion.
Not only does it bring tears to your eyes from their pungency, but it shows up in different situations and in every aspect of one’s life. Just when you think you might be at the last layer , there seems to be one more layer of that limiting belief that needs to be attended to, worked through, and healed.
Does this mean it’s impossible to rid yourself of a core limiting belief? Absolutely not- let’s first define what a limiting belief is:
Web definition
(Limiting Beliefs) Beliefs that are held either consciously or subconsciously that serve as obstacles to manifesting and attracting what you want.
So for example- if a person wants to be healthy, fit, and perhaps would like to lose some weight but there is this voice inside that says “You’re fat- you can’t do it”- this is considered a limiting belief.
The belief here is that this person is unable to obtain a lifestyle of being healthy and fit because the core belief is not supportive of such a goal. Therefore the goal will not be met due to the lack of support and alignment between the belief and the desired outcome or goal.
Remember the saying “What you think is what you become”.
So what happens to this person with the desire to be healthy and fit? This is where the habits and patterns come into play (another layer of the onion, sniff, sniff). With each limiting belief we all have corresponding habits and patterns. If a person chooses to listen to the limiting belief than they will stay stuck where they are at.
The corresponding habit/pattern for this limiting belief could be that the person wishing to lead a healthy lifestyle starts to listen to the negative voice (aka limiting belief) and then stops pursuing (habit/pattern) their goal.
So this is what it might look like:
This person, let’s call her Sally- Sally has a desire to be fit, healthy and lose some weight. So one day she gets inspired and decides to make some changes, eating healthier and making a regular work out routine etc. She’s so inspired at this point that she doesn’t hear or feel anything other than her own inner happiness (which is super duper awesome!)
Then BAM! Maybe a few days into the routine she starts to hear this little nagging voice- “You can’t do this, You’re fat, You’re already too out of shape, in fact you’ve tried this before and failed”.
This negative voice starts to override the inspiration that once was there. So, the habit is that Sally stops trying to reach her inspired goal of being healthy, fit and losing weight. Soon Sally starts to realize that this isn’t the first time that she’s stopped this exact goal from happening. She has tried for years to be the picture of health and has failed at each turn.
She then spins even deeper down into the depths of her limiting beliefs, believing them to be true.
OMG! Get the kleenex out! Just writing this story is depressing and makes me sad and a little angry. I would love nothing more than to kick every limiting belief in the ARSE! The fact of the matter is that each and every one of us has limiting beliefs.
Now if the Sally story doesn’t resonate with you what about when it comes to your finances? Do you find yourself struggling with the financial aspect of your life? Or what about relationships? Is there something or someone missing? Career? Do you love what you do? Are you struggling with getting promotions or even finding your passion?
What you currently have in your life is a direct reflection of the beliefs that you currently carry. Are there any areas in your life that you’ve wanted to make changes and struggle? Can you pinpoint any patterns? Where do you hear the “I can’t, I won’t, I’m not good enough…”?
I know- usually my writing is filled with more rainbows, sunshine, and flowers than this but I’m getting to that point- promise!
The good thing- Yup for real peeps there’s something good about all of this (insert rainbows, sunshine and flowers:) )
You have the ability to change this! The wonderful and beautiful part about being human is that we have our own free will. The possibilities that the Universe gives us to create whatever we want are endless.
How cool is that? YOU, as an individual, have the power to make changes. With some awareness and action steps you have the ability and capacity to create anything that you desire!
So don’t despair my Friend- be happy and know that you can have everything and anything that you want as long as it aligns with your belief system.
If you’re wondering what to do with your own limiting beliefs and how to release them, look for my newsletter next week on Spring Renewal Coaching for Women.
Calgary Canada Life Coach Arianne Moore-Armstrong, founder of Path of Tranquility Coaching for Women, helps clients worldwide. Arianne is also the founder of the Ultimate Belief Breakthrough Method™