Overcoming Limiting Beliefs A Step-by-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs
Are Your Beliefs Holding You Back?
Let’s be honest—building a business takes guts, determination, and a hell of a lot of work. But what happens when the biggest obstacle isn’t external? When it’s not about your skills, resources, or strategy, but the stories running through your mind on repeat?
For so many business leaders, limiting beliefs are the invisible chains holding them back. You might not even notice them at first. They’re sneaky—whispering things like, “You’re not ready for this,” or “You don’t deserve to succeed.”
Here’s the truth: You can break free. And when you do? You’ll unlock a version of yourself that’s ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and courage.
A Personal Story: Facing My Own Limiting Beliefs
Years ago, I remember sitting in my car outside of a networking event, frozen with self-doubt. I’d spent weeks preparing my pitch, practicing until the words felt second nature. But as I stared at the door, all I could hear was the voice in my head whispering, “You’re going to mess this up. You don’t belong here.”
That voice wasn’t new—it had been there for as long as I could remember. It showed up in different ways, at different times, but the message was always the same: “You’re not enough.”
I almost drove away that day. But something inside me whispered back, “What if that voice is wrong?”
I took a deep breath, grabbed my bag, and walked in. And you know what? I didn’t mess up. I made connections that helped grow my business and even landed a client that week.
Looking back, I realize that the voice in my head wasn’t me—it was a limiting belief, born out of old fears and experiences. It wasn’t protecting me; it was holding me back.
The truth is, we all have that voice. But we don’t have to listen to it.
What Are Limiting Beliefs, and Why Do They Matter?
Limiting beliefs are the unspoken rules you live by—the ones that make you doubt your abilities, question your worth, or play small when you’re meant for more. They sound like:
“I’ll fail if I try.”
“If I succeed, I’ll lose everything else.”
“I’m not smart enough to lead at this level.”
These beliefs might feel like facts, but they’re nothing more than stories your brain cooked up to protect you from pain. The problem? They’re keeping you stuck, hiding your full potential behind a wall of fear and doubt.
How Are Limiting Beliefs Formed?
These stories didn’t come out of nowhere. Limiting beliefs are usually shaped by:
Your Past Experiences: Every rejection, failure, or criticism leaves a mark, especially if it felt personal.
The Messages You Grew Up With: Maybe you heard things like, “Success takes sacrifice,” or “You’ll never make it doing what you love.”
Unprocessed Emotional Wounds: Trauma—big or small—can cement beliefs about what you’re capable of or deserve.
For example, if you were once told “You’ll never amount to anything,” that message might still echo in your mind today, even if it’s total BS.
Are Limiting Beliefs Real?
Here’s the kicker: Limiting beliefs feel very real. Your brain doesn’t care if they’re true—it only cares that you believe them. And when you do, those beliefs shape your choices, your actions, and ultimately, your results.
But just because they feel real doesn’t mean they’re permanent.
How Do Limiting Beliefs Hurt You?
These little lies pack a big punch, holding you back in ways you might not even realize:
They Create Fear: You avoid risks, second-guess opportunities, and hesitate when you should leap.
They Kill Confidence: Instead of owning your expertise, you shrink back, wondering if you’re really good enough.
They Block Growth: Whether it’s scaling your business, launching a new idea, or asking for the money you deserve, these beliefs keep you playing small.
Sound familiar?
What Limiting Beliefs Are Holding You Back?
Let’s name a few common culprits:
“I’ll never be as good as [insert competitor here].”
“I have to work twice as hard as everyone else to prove myself.”
“If I let people see the real me, they’ll think I’m a fraud.”
Do any of these hit home? If so, you’re not alone—and there’s a way out.
How to Identify Limiting Beliefs
Here’s the first step: Call them out.
Listen to Your Inner Critic: Pay attention to the negative thoughts that come up when you’re facing a challenge.
Ask Questions: When you hesitate or feel stuck, ask yourself, “What am I afraid of right now? What story am I telling myself?”
Track Patterns: Look for recurring themes in your fears or failures.
These beliefs are slippery, but once you spot them, you can start to shift them.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
Rewriting your mental script takes work, but it’s completely doable. Here’s how:
Flip the Script: Replace negative beliefs with empowering truths. For example, “I’m not good enough” becomes “I’m learning and improving every day.”
Get Support: Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or a therapist, having someone in your corner can make all the difference.
Try Brainspotting Therapy: This powerful tool doesn’t just address the surface stuff—it digs deep, helping you process and release the emotional roots of your limiting beliefs.
How Does Brainspotting Therapy Help with Limiting Beliefs?
Let’s talk about why Brainspotting is a game-changer:
It Targets the Root Cause: Brainspotting uses a unique method to locate and process the areas in your brain where limiting beliefs are stored.
It Releases Emotional Blocks: By addressing those deeply held beliefs, Brainspotting frees you from the pain and fear tied to them.
It Rewires Your Brain: Once the blocks are cleared, you can replace limiting beliefs with empowering truths, creating a foundation for lasting confidence and success.
Imagine finally stepping into your full potential, unburdened by the stories that have been holding you back.
Your Next Step: The Beyond Mindset Breakthrough Call
If you’re done letting limiting beliefs run the show, it’s time to take action. On a Beyond Mindset Breakthrough Call, we’ll dive into the blocks holding you back and map out how Brainspotting Therapy can help you move past them—for good.
You’re not meant to stay stuck. Let’s clear the path to the confident, unstoppable leader you’re ready to be.
