Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Negative Self-Talk
A belief is a meaning we give to experiences. Some beliefs empower us and give us confidence, while others hold us back, limiting our potential for growth. The good news is that we have the ability to challenge and redesign these beliefs, meaning more positive and resourceful mindsets and therefore actions. Here are some tips on how you can do this for yourself:
Recognise the limiting belief - often the belief is unconscious or working in the background of our minds. When you find yourself thinking negatively about your abilities, pause and notice what you are telling yourself. I.e “I am not smart enough to start my own business”.
Challenge how true this belief is - check for evidence that supports or contradicts the belief. Often the beliefs are built on assumptions rather than facts. I.e. Question what skills and experiences are needed to start a business and reason with yourself if you a) have them or b) can learn them.
Reframe the belief to something more resourceful - rather than telling yourself you cannot do something, reframe the belief into a positive statement. I.e “I am intelligent and capable of learning the skills I need to start my own business”.
Whenever you recognise the negative self-talk creeping in, remember your reframe of the belief and repeat it in your mind. Some people find it helpful to write it down or speak it out loud, sometimes in front of the mirror so you can “have a word with yourself”.
As with most things in life, with practice and repetition, you will notice a shift in your mindset. Rather than defaulting to your limiting beliefs, over time you will default to your positive beliefs. This will help to build self confidence and make you become more open to opportunities that once seemed impossible because they were shrouded in self-imposed limitations.
This can be a difficult process to do on your own. Coaching supports and guides individuals in bringing these limiting beliefs to light, recognising where these beliefs came from and where and how they are playing out. This is key in assessing what cognitive distortions we have created for ourselves and looking at if there is any truth in them.