Everyone walks around with stories about what they can’t do or won’t try. These narratives are usually based on limiting beliefs. Some of these beliefs stem from experiences they had years ago; others are concocted based on false assumptions strung together more recently.
In either case, these beliefs are toxic. When you do nothing about them, they can infiltrate other thoughts and create even more questions or doubts.<!–more->
One of my clients, who decided to change something related to her business process, went through this. It was a good and worthwhile decision that was necessary to continue to scale her company.
But she became nervous and worried that she had made the wrong decision. We talked through it, reinforcing the additional value that she was going to be able to offer. This validated her decision, and she’s since moved ahead beautifully.
When something pops into your head that sounds like one of these phrases, “I can’t raise my fees because….” or “I could never do…..” or “No way I could manage that….”, it’s time to question the underlying belief.
Be curious about it; don’t judge it. The closer you get to the root, the more likely you can see the underlying issue and make any necessary changes.
This may seem counterintuitive, but you also need to truly want to change your mindset. Why wouldn’t you change? Well, in many cases it’s because you’ve lived with it for so long that the change means breaking an imbedded habit.
It’s helpful to have someone with whom you can share this information. It can be an executive coach or a counselor or even a compassionate friend. The person needs to challenge your thinking, not judge you.
Pay attention to your self-talk and catch yourself in a moment where a limiting belief reveals itself. You’ll know what to do.
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
– Victor Hugo
Header image by Karolina Grabowska/Pexels.
