By now, most of you have probably heard how our beliefs influence our actions, either blocking or speeding up our path to success. But have you ever wondered how much these beliefs impact your physical ability?
Let’s do a quick exercise together: Stretch out your arm and point forward with your finger. Now, twist your body as far as you can, and note where your finger is pointing. Hold that in your mind. Now, close your eyes, and say to yourself a few times, “I can go further than that!” Once you’ve done that, try again.
Notice any difference?
Now, imagine if you did the opposite. If you said, “I can’t do this,” you’d probably find yourself twisting less than before. That simple shift in your mindset shows us something powerful—our brain talks to our body way more than we realize. And our beliefs? They shape what we think is possible.
How Those Beliefs Are Formed
- Neuroplasticity: Since we were little, we’ve been soaking up beliefs from everyone around us—family, teachers, society. These beliefs shape our actions, and when we repeat those actions over and over, they form habits. Research shows that 70% of our daily behavior is habit-driven, which means a lot of our actions are autopilot, coming from a belief we hold about ourselves. So if you find yourself avoiding new opportunities or challenges, ask yourself: Is there a limiting belief underneath?
Here’s a short video from Sentis that gives a clear explanation of Neuroplasticity: Neuroplasticity – Sentis - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: Ever been told you’re “too shy,” “not smart enough,” or “not strong enough” to do something? These labels, especially when we’re young, tend to stick and shape our entire lives. We start to believe them, and then we act in ways that make them come true. It’s a vicious cycle. But here’s the question I want to ask you: What if those labels were never true? What if, instead of holding onto the past, you decided to rewrite those old stories about yourself?
- The Reticular Activating System (RAS): This tiny part of your brain filters out information based on what you believe is important. It’s why, when you think about buying a red car, suddenly you see red cars everywhere. The problem is, if you believe “I’m not capable,” your brain will keep filtering out the opportunities and evidence that suggest you are. The good news? You can retrain your RAS by changing what you choose to focus on.
A good blog you can read into more if your interested in RAS: If you want it, you might get it. The Reticular Activating System explained | by Tobias van Schneider | Desk of van Schneider | Medium
Key Areas to Focus on for Growth
Here are three big areas to tackle when it comes to smashing through limiting beliefs:
- Self-Worth: How many times have you told yourself, “I’m not disciplined enough” or “I’m too dumb for this”? If those thoughts sound familiar, it’s time to shift gears. What you believe about your worth directly impacts your ability to achieve. When you keep feeding yourself negative affirmations, it’s no surprise that you struggle to make progress. But once you start seeing yourself as capable and worthy, everything changes.
- Fear of Failure: If we never start, we can’t fail, right? That’s the belief many of us cling to. The idea that if we don’t try, we avoid the embarrassment or disappointment of failure. But here’s the reality: Failure is part of the growth process. There’s no success without a few bumps along the way. The goal is to stop seeing failure as the end, and instead see it as a step forward.
- Fear of Success: Yes, fear of success is real! You might think, “Why would I ever fear success?” But here’s the thing—success brings change, responsibility, and sometimes the unknown. It can be intimidating. You’ll have to give up old habits, old comfort zones, and maybe even people who don’t support your growth. But here’s a clue: If you keep chasing a goal, deep down, you already know it’s worth it. You just need to trust the process.
Daily Practices to Break Through Limiting Beliefs
Here’s the fun part—breaking those limiting beliefs with some simple, daily practices:
- Boosting Self-Worth:
- Affirmations: Every morning, tell yourself one positive thing. Something like, “I am worthy of success,” or “I am capable of achieving my goals.” It might feel weird at first, but trust me—over time, your brain starts to believe it.
- Gratitude Journaling: Each day, write down three things you’re proud of about yourself. This helps build a strong sense of self-worth by focusing on the good rather than what’s missing.
- Conquering the Fear of Failure:
- Reframe Your Thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking “What if I fail?”, ask yourself, “What can I learn if I fail?” This shifts your mindset from fear to curiosity, making it easier to take action.
- Set Tiny Goals: Start small. If the idea of a big goal is too overwhelming, break it into bite-sized pieces. Celebrate small wins to build confidence over time.
- Overcoming Fear of Success:
- Visualization: Picture yourself living that successful life. How does it feel? What new responsibilities do you take on? By visualizing success as something manageable and enjoyable, you’re training your brain to expect it and not fear it.
- Accountability Partners: Share your goals with someone you trust. This person can remind you why you’re aiming high and help you stay accountable, especially when fear kicks in.
- Awareness: Practice catching those limiting thoughts in the moment. When you notice a negative belief creeping in, pause and ask yourself, “Is this true, or just a feeling?” Then, choose to act on what you know is possible, rather than what fear is telling you.
The Benefits of Shifting Your Beliefs
So, why should you do all this work? Because once you shift those limiting beliefs, amazing things start to happen:
- Increased Confidence: You’ll feel more confident in yourself and your abilities. The next time a challenge comes up, you’ll be ready for it.
- Better Results: Whether it’s in your career, fitness, or personal life, removing limiting beliefs will help you perform better and reach new levels you didn’t think were possible.
- Resilience: As you break through old mental barriers, you’ll develop a mental toughness that helps you bounce back faster from setbacks.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, your beliefs shape your reality. By recognizing and challenging your limiting beliefs, you open up a world of possibilities. The path to success isn’t always easy, but with consistent daily awareness and belief shifts, it becomes inevitable. Start small, stay persistent, and soon you’ll realize that the only limits are the ones you set for yourself.
See my latest post: Listen to Your Body: Ditch Perfection and Thrive – RomComToMe