How to Change Limiting Beliefs That Are Keeping You Stuck in Life
In the early 1950s, Roger Bannister set a new milestone in the history of running—he broke the four-minute barrier in the mile run. Before him, experts claimed that it was physiologically impossible, even dangerous for a human to achieve. But once Bannister proved them wrong, new records kept falling in the years that followed. What changed? Human bodies didn’t suddenly become stronger overnight—what changed were the beliefs of runners.
Limiting beliefs work the same way. They are invisible barriers that keep us in our comfort zone, whispering that something isn’t possible, that we’re not good enough, or that failure means the end of the road. But these beliefs are not facts—they are just stories we tell ourselves. And just as Bannister proved that limits are an illusion, you too can change your mindset and break free from the mental blocks that hold you back.
In this article, we will explore how to change the limiting beliefs that prevent you from reaching your full potential. You’ll learn where they come from, why they are so powerful, and most importantly—how to transform them into beliefs that support you rather than hold you back.
What Are Limiting Beliefs—And Why Are They So Powerful?
In 1957, psychologist Leon Festinger developed the theory of cognitive dissonance, which states that people unconsciously adjust their beliefs to match their experiences. If we learn in childhood that we are not good enough, we carry that belief throughout life—even when evidence proves otherwise.
Limiting beliefs function like programs in a computer. They are embedded in our subconscious through upbringing, culture, society, and personal experiences. Once we accept a thought as truth, our brain starts reinforcing it repeatedly. This is called confirmation bias—we unconsciously seek out evidence that supports our beliefs and ignore anything that contradicts them.
If we believe we are not smart enough, we will only notice our mistakes and overlook our successes. If we believe love isn’t meant for us, we will unconsciously sabotage relationships. And so, we remain trapped in our own mental cages.
But here’s the good news: none of this is set in stone. Just as we adopted limiting beliefs, we can change them.
How to Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
Before we can change anything, we must first understand what’s holding us back. Psychologist Carol Dweck, known for her research on growth mindset, says that our thoughts shape our reality. If we believe we can grow, we will look for opportunities to do so. If we believe we are limited, we will stay stuck in a cycle.
So, how can you identify your limiting beliefs? Here are a few questions to help you:
- Which areas of my life feel stagnant? Where do I keep facing the same challenges over and over?
- What phrases do I often repeat to myself? (“This isn’t for me.” “I never succeed.” “I’m not good enough.”)
- What would I love to achieve, but it feels impossible? What’s holding me back from taking the first step?
Write down your answers and be honest with yourself. Limiting beliefs often reveal themselves through words like “never,” “always,” “I can’t,” or “I’m not enough.”
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You Are the Editor of Your Life Story – What Will You Write?
Every story has an author, but it also has an editor—someone who revises, refines, and reshapes the narrative to reflect its true message. What if the same applied to your life? What if you stopped seeing yourself as a passive observer and became the editor of your own story?
One of the best examples of the power of narrative is Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning. While enduring the horrors of a concentration camp, he realized something life-changing: even though he couldn’t control external circumstances, he had full control over how he perceived them. His internal story—his belief—became his salvation.
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Your story is not set in stone either. If limiting beliefs tell you that you’re not capable, smart, or strong enough, start rewriting them. Change the inner script and ask yourself: Is this really true, or just a story I’ve told myself? How can I edit it to support me instead of holding me back?
How to change limiting beliefs? Start by recognizing that you have the power to rewrite your story.
Is Your Belief Really True?
Everyone carries a personal narrative about who they are, what they can achieve, and where their limits lie. But these stories are often based on the past, not reality. How can you tell? Pay attention to your inner dialogue. If you frequently think, “I always mess up opportunities,” “I’ll never be good enough,” or “I’m not the kind of person who can succeed,” then it’s time to challenge these beliefs.
Psychologists call this cognitive bias—the tendency to remember and focus on evidence that supports our existing beliefs while ignoring anything that contradicts them. For example, if you believe you always ruin important moments, you’ll remember only the times you made mistakes and completely overlook all your successes.
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How to change limiting beliefs? Write down a limiting belief and then find at least three situations that contradict it. You’ll be surprised at how much evidence exists that your story isn’t entirely true—and if the story doesn’t match reality, you can change it.
Self-Respect vs. Self-Sabotage
Have you ever noticed that you’re much harsher on yourself than you would be on anyone else? Would you ever tell a friend, “You’re not good enough; you’ll never succeed”? Probably not. Yet, we often say these things to ourselves without even realizing it. Research shows that the average person has around 60,000 thoughts per day—and a staggering 80% of them are negative. This means we spend most of our time unconsciously sabotaging ourselves.
How to change limiting beliefs? Start by becoming aware of your inner dialogue. When you catch yourself thinking negatively (“I’ll never succeed.”), replace it with a firm yet kind response (“I’m learning and growing. Every setback brings me closer to my goal.”). If you would encourage a friend with positive words, why not do the same for yourself?
Leave the Old Story Behind – It’s Time for a Fresh Start
Imagine you are a writer, and in front of you is a blank sheet of paper. What would you write if there were no limitations? Many people cling to their old story because it feels safe—even if it holds them back. But the key to change is simply deciding to write a new chapter.
William James, one of the founders of modern psychology, once said, “Human beings can alter their lives by altering their mindset.” And that’s the essence: if you want a new life, start living it today. If you want to be confident, start acting confident. If you want to leave your old story behind, simply stop telling it.
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How to change limiting beliefs? Write down who you want to become and how you want to live. Then, start making small daily choices that align with this new story. Don’t wait to “feel” different—just start acting differently.
Find Evidence for New Beliefs
Psychotherapist Marisa Peer emphasizes that our brains are always looking for evidence to support what we believe. This means that if you believe something is impossible, you will unconsciously seek out proof to confirm that limitation. But the opposite is also true—if you start looking for evidence to support new, more positive beliefs, you will find it.
Consciously start writing down successes that confirm your new beliefs. If you want to believe you are capable of running your own business, pay attention to moments when you were organized, creative, or decisive. Gradually, you will begin to reshape your inner dialogue and build a new, stronger mental reality.
Your Environment Matters – Surround Yourself with the Right People
Limiting beliefs often stem from the environment we grew up in and live in. If we are surrounded by people who constantly doubt themselves, we will adopt the same mindset. On the other hand, being around people who believe in themselves and support us can encourage us to overcome our own mental barriers.
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Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If you want to change your beliefs, start paying attention to the company you keep. Surround yourself with those who uplift you and watch how your mindset gradually shifts.
