The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Life Coach in Atlanta
August 12, 2024
We all tell ourselves stories. Stories about who we are, what we can do, and what we’re “meant” for, and often, those stories quietly hold us back.
These are called limiting beliefs.
Limiting beliefs are deeply held assumptions or perceptions about ourselves, others, or the world that restrict our potential and hinder personal growth. They are often rooted in past experiences and can operate unconsciously, shaping our decisions and behaviors in negative ways.
And here’s the truth: most of them didn’t start with us.
Maybe you heard them growing up. Maybe they crept in from past relationships, failures, or a boss who underestimated you. However they got there, they’re not permanent. You can change the narrative.
Here’s how.
Limiting beliefs are sneaky. They sound like facts in your mind, but they’re actually opinions rooted in fear.
Here are a few common ones I hear from my coaching clients all the time:
If a thought makes you feel small, stuck, or scared to try, it’s a limiting belief. Start noticing them. Write them down when they show up.
Awareness is the first step to overcoming limiting beliefs.
Once you spot the limiting belief, challenge it.
Ask yourself:
Often, you’ll find the belief isn’t built on truth; it’s built on fear or someone else’s voice that’s been living in your head rent-free.
I remember when I was younger, my Literature teacher told me I’d never be good at writing. And for a long time, I believed her. That one comment echoed in my head every time I picked up a pen or thought about sharing my thoughts. It kept me trapped in fear and doubt.
But not anymore.
Now, I write to inspire and uplift. I don’t chase perfection; I focus on making a difference. Writing has become a way to connect, to add value, and to speak life into others. That old belief? It was never really mine to begin with.
You get to rewrite the story, too.
“Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.”
– Les Brown
You don’t have to lie to yourself with fluffy affirmations that don’t feel real. But you can shift to something more empowering and true.
Instead of “I’m not good enough,” try:
You’re not trying to be unthinkingly positive. You’re building a new, stronger foundation of belief that actually supports the life you want.
Look back at your life. I guarantee you’ve already overcome things you once thought you couldn’t. You’ve been brave. You’ve made hard choices. You’ve grown.
Make a list of 5 times you surprised yourself.
Keep it somewhere visible. Let it remind you that you are capable. Your past doesn’t get to predict your future unless you let it.
Beliefs change the fastest when we act on the new story.
If your new belief is “I can figure this out,” then prove it with one small step. Send the email. Sign up for the class. Speak up in the meeting. Take the leap.
Action creates evidence. Evidence builds belief. And belief fuels action. That’s how momentum is made.
Limiting beliefs often grow in isolation. So don’t try to figure it out alone.
Talk to a coach, mentor, or trusted friend who sees your potential. Read books or listen to podcasts that expand your thinking. Get around women who are doing what you dream of doing.
Being around people who believe in you helps you believe in yourself.
“Sometimes you’ve got to believe in someone else’s belief in you until your belief kicks in.”
– Les Brown
Limiting beliefs are not life sentences. They’re old stories, and you have full permission to write a new one. So, start where you are and remember to be gentle with yourself.
The work required to reframe your mind and overcome limiting beliefs is messy, and beautiful, and brave. You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to begin.
You are more capable, creative, and powerful than you’ve been led to believe. It’s time to rewrite your story, reclaim your power, and create the life of your dreams.
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