How to release limiting beliefs that keep you stuck
Most of us pick them up throughout life. But, the good news is that we can release them and build new beliefs that support us.
Don’t let limiting beliefs stop you from living the life you desire
Please ask if you have any questions. I believe that limiting beliefs are the biggest reason we don’t achieve the things we really want in life.
But we can change beliefs and choose to build new ones that support us. That’s what I hope to help with today.
What are limiting beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are any beliefs that don’t help you to be the person you want to be or create the life you want for yourself.
A few examples of limiting beliefs.
I’m not enough. Or, I’m not good enough to be successful at that.
It’s just my luck that something will go wrong (I hear this all the time. The belief is that they are an unlucky person)
I’m not old enough… I’m not pretty enough…. I’m too old… I don’t have the right education, I don’t come from the right place…
The list goes on and on.
Think about something that you want that you don’t have. Now, examine your beliefs about having that thing. Do you notice any beliefs that could be blocking you?
Where do limiting beliefs come from?
We all collect beliefs from the moment we’re born.
Some beliefs are helpful and support us, and some are unhelpful and block us. Most of us have a mix of both.
Some of us pick up a lot of limiting beliefs in a certain area of life. I had a whole load of suitcases full of limiting beliefs about money. I’ll share that story another time.
We pick up beliefs from our parents, other family, friends, TV, society, our workplace, school… And many, many more places.
A tiny baby builds a belief that if they cry, a loving parent will come and care for them. Or they build a belief that if they cry, they get ignored or shouted at.
A child at school believes that they have a world of opportunity awaiting them, and they can achieve wonderful things. Or they build a belief that they don’t pay attention and they’ll never achieve anything worthwhile.
Sadly, we often pick up limiting beliefs from people who love us and want the best for us. The beliefs are unintentionally passed down.
Some beliefs may be useful at one point in life, but then turn into limiting beliefs. For example, a young child may be taught not to talk to strangers. If this belief is carried through to their adulthood, this can be extremely limiting in social situations, building friendships, work and business situations.
A writer may be rejected by 10 publishers and believe that they are no good at writing, and quit. Or they may believe that they just haven’t found the right publisher yet.
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter story was reported to have been rejected 12 times before eventually being accepted. Imagine if she had let a limiting belief get in the way.
Can we change them?
Yes, we can change limiting beliefs. We can release them, and we can replace them with beliefs that support us.
Here are 5 ways that we change and improve limiting beliefs.
Question them. Is this true for me now? However, I offer up a word of warning. If you look for proof of a limiting belief, you’ll find it. Instead, look for proof that a better belief is true. For example, if you think people who didn’t do well at school can’t be successful in business, do an internet search for people who didn’t do well at school who became millionaires.
Use EFT — Emotional Freedom Techniques to clear limiting beliefs and to build new and positive beliefs. EFT is a simple tapping technique that works with your energy body. It’s easy to learn in a couple of minutes and use it yourself (see my EFT script below). Check out my EFT guide below.
If you’re not yet a paying subscriber, you can also upgrade your subscription to access the EFT ZONE for EFT scripts, tips, exercises and guidance.
Positive Affirmations — Statements that affirm something you want to be true for you, such as “I am enough, I am successful, I have what it takes to achieve this goal, I am grateful for all the opportunities that come my way.” You can use affirmation to build new, positive beliefs that support you.
Hypnosis audios can be incredibly powerful for building new, powerful beliefs. I’ve written a blog post about how I’ve used hypnosis to change my life (a blog post on my Coach Wendy Blog)
Imagine the belief as a thought bubble over your head. Then say the words “I now let you go!” Imagine the thought bubble and belief floating high up into the sky and disappearing, leaving you forever.
If your beliefs no longer serve you, change them!
EFT for clearing limiting beliefs
Keep it nice and simple.
Start tapping the side of your hand and say why you’re tapping, like this… Even though I have this limiting belief that… (say your belief), I now choose to let it go. Soften and flow, soften and flow.
Now, at each of the tapping points, you can simply say the word release.
* Top of the head — Release
* Forehead — Release
* Eyebrow (The bit above your inner eye) — Release
* Side of the eye — Release
* Under the eye — Release
* Under the nose — Release
* Under the mouth — Release
* Collarbone — Release
* Side of the hand — Release
Repeat as many times as you want. I generally recommend several rounds.
EFT Tapping gives you the power
to release low emotions, blocks and negativity
and boost positivity and raise your vibrations
Feel fantastic - Feel empowered
Listen out for signs
The key is to pay attention to your beliefs. A good way to work out what your limiting beliefs are is by paying attention to your thoughts and the things you say both to yourself and other people.
Layers of limiting beliefs
It’s also worth noting that often limiting beliefs have layers. You might do your mindset work to release a limiting belief and so some positive changes in your life, then as you reach a new level of success (for example), you may well need to clear more beliefs. That’s normal.
Just as beliefs are built, they too can be knocked down and rebuilt the way you want. It may not happen overnight, but keep working on them. It’s worth the effort.
I’ve put together a special printable download to help you use EFT - Emotional Freedom Techniques to Release Limiting Beliefs.
You can buy this in my ETSY SHOP - EFT Tapping for Clearing Limiting Beliefs. (approx £3.60)
I’ve included it below for my paying subscribers. Access my full EFT ZONE for £5 a month or even less with a yearly subscription.