Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

On New Year's Day I was sitting at my piano and I felt drawn to the keys. I don't know how to read sheet music so instead, I play from my heart. I like to think of myself as a composer and not just a musician. Creating music from scratch feels natural to me and I’ve translated this intuition and creativity to my own life and career.

Once I finished composing the song, it did not yet sound complete. I sent it to my friend Tha to see what he could come up with.

What he added to my composition was inspirational. His words motivate me to be authentic, open, and curious.

He shares that we do not need to be limited by the rules that society has put on us.

Heck, Tha and I met while articling at the Big 4, but we bonded and connected through creativity and self-development.

Tha encourages us to write our own stories today. You have the opportunity to choose who you want to be, authentically. Though there are so many external pushes and pulls that impact our professions, personalities, behaviors, and beliefs, you are truly in choice.

In response to his words, I have created a quick exercise that you can do now to start writing your own narrative.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

If you take a few moments to stop and pause and listen to your inner dialogue, we can start to notice what we are actually saying to ourselves.

Start to write your own story as if you were the main character, protagonist, or hero. Most heroes we know have risen from challenges.

We are limited by the old stories that we tell ourselves. These are limiting beliefs.

Limiting beliefs hold us back from being the person you want to be. They have been instilled in us since we were young. Whether from your parents, teachers, media, celebrities, and friends, we take in influences from all around us.

It's time to rewrite these narratives.

I share all of this because I had stories in my mind:

"I am not good enough to get a promotion."

"I am not old enough to be a life coach."

"I am not strong enough to bike 100 miles."

"I am not smart enough to get this job."

These were stories that I told myself. These were stories that were no longer serving me.

Growing up, I set the bar high for myself to be the best that I can be. But it came at a cost. Failure to meet these high expectations would result in feelings of inadequacy, shame, and weakness.

Acknowledging that I am the way I am, I learned to embrace my imperfections. I learned to tell myself that I am enough. I can re-write my narrative as the author of my own story, like I can write and compose my own music.

Below are some examples on how to change limiting beliefs:

Empowerment is a process of becoming stronger and confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

Example 1

Limiting narrative: “I am feeling unhappy working at my job.”

Empowering narrative: “I am so fortunate and grateful to have a job and I am willing to see my position from a place of gratitude. I can make a change if I put my mind to it.”

Example 2

Limiting narrative: “I want to make a change in my life but I don't know how to start.”

Empowering narrative: “I am interested in exploring my potential. Who knows what I can do? I embrace the uncertainty and will start with small steps.”

Example 3

Limiting narrative: “I feel stuck and unmotivated. I'm stressed and overworked.”

Empowering narrative: “I'm at a low point in my life right now but I know I'm going to be better. This struggle will be temporary and I need to address it now to move on.”

Example 4

Limiting narrative: “I'm scared of failing and taking risks. It's so uncomfortable going outside my comfort zone.”

Empowering narrative: “I am courageous. I am strong. I am ready to take on a new challenge. I will build my confidence so I am willingly able to step out of my comfort zone to stretch my potential.”

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We have the opportunity each and every day to rewrite our stories and start fulfilling our potential.

Pick up the pen today. What is the very first thing that you would include in this story? Who are you now and who will you become?

Downloadable Resource:

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Interested to explore this further? Click the 'Book a Call' button above and I can provide more guidance/support! You can also email me at caseychungcoaching@gmail.com or send me a message on LinkedIn.