Why You’re Stuck and How to Fix It Fast
As a business leader, you’ve got the drive, the vision, and the passion. But if you’ve ever felt like something invisible is holding you back—despite all your best efforts—you’re not alone. For so many entrepreneurs, the real obstacles aren’t external; they’re internal.
Limiting beliefs are the quiet but powerful thoughts that shape how we lead, decide, and grow. Let’s dive into five of the most common limiting beliefs business leaders face, where they come from, and how they show up in your day-to-day.
1. Fear of Failure
The Belief: “If I fail, everything will fall apart.”
Where It Comes From:
Fear of failure often stems from early experiences of criticism or high expectations. Maybe you grew up hearing that mistakes were unacceptable, or maybe a past failure left a lasting emotional scar.
How It Shows Up in Business:
Avoiding risks that could lead to big opportunities.
Overanalyzing every decision to avoid potential mistakes.
Hesitating to launch a new product, service, or initiative.
What this can look like in real life:
I have a client who was completely stuck when it came to narrowing down her niche. She had two great ideas but couldn’t commit to one. The fear hit her hard: “What if no one wants this? What if I put myself out there and it flops? What if I choose wrong?”
For weeks, she stayed in this limbo—dancing around the decision and convincing herself she wasn’t ready. Every time she tried to move forward, her mind would jump back to all the ways it could go wrong.
After a couple of Brainspotting sessions she finally got clarity on her niche and took the leap, something incredible happened. She discovered that failure wasn’t nearly as scary as staying stuck. Even the things that didn’t go as planned taught her what worked and what didn’t. The clarity and momentum she gained just by starting were what finally helped her build the business she’d been dreaming of.
The Truth: Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the process. Every failure teaches you something valuable and gets you closer to your goals.
2. Imposter Syndrome
The Belief: “I’m not good enough to be here.”
Where It Comes From:
Imposter syndrome often grows out of comparing yourself to others or feeling unworthy of recognition. Even high-achievers experience this, thinking their success is a fluke rather than the result of their hard work.
How It Shows Up in Business:
Undercharging for your services because you don’t think you’re worth it.
Overworking to “prove” your value to others.
Avoiding visibility—like public speaking or marketing yourself—out of fear of being “exposed.”
What this can look like in real life:
When I was a paramedic, the pressure to be perfect was overwhelming. The profession is competitive, and we’re all expected to be these flawless experts and heroes who never miss a beat. But the truth is, there’s a lot riding on every decision, and that pressure can mess with your confidence.
I remember the moment it clicked for me. I was working with another paramedic, and I realized the entire reason they paired us together was to create a built-in support system. It wasn’t about being perfect—it was about knowing I didn’t have to have all the answers on my own.
That shift in perspective made such a difference. It taught me that collaboration isn’t about proving yourself; it’s about showing up, leaning on the support around you, and trusting the process.
The voice of imposter syndrome will always tell you, “You’re not ready” or “You’re not good enough,” but that’s just fear talking. You don’t have to listen. Leaning in, even when you don’t feel 100% ready, is where the growth happens—and where success starts to show up.
The Truth: Your success is real, and your skills are valid. Owning your achievements doesn’t make you arrogant; it makes you confident.
3. Perfectionism
The Belief: “If it’s not perfect, it’s not good enough.”
Where It Comes From:
Perfectionism often takes root in environments where achievement was overly praised or mistakes were harshly judged. It’s the belief that your worth is tied to flawless execution.
How It Shows Up in Business:
Spending too much time tweaking small details that don’t move the needle.
Delaying launches because something isn’t “ready yet.”
Burning out from trying to meet impossible standards.
What this can look like in real life:
I once spent days obsessing over the design of a freebie I wanted to offer. I thought, “This has to look perfect, or no one will take me seriously.” I kept reworking fonts, colors, and layouts, and by the time I finally finished, the moment for launching it had passed. That was a hard lesson: Spending too much time chasing perfection cost me momentum. I’ve learned that good enough is often exactly what people need.
The Truth: Perfectionism doesn’t equal excellence—it equals paralysis. Progress always beats perfection.
4. Fear of Success
The Belief: “If I succeed, I’ll lose everything else.”
Where It Comes From:
Fear of success often comes from seeing others burn out or lose relationships after achieving their goals. It’s rooted in the belief that growth requires sacrifice—of time, health, or happiness.
How It Shows Up in Business:
Sabotaging opportunities because you’re afraid of what comes next.
Saying “no” to growth opportunities out of fear of losing balance.
Avoiding the spotlight because success feels overwhelming.
What this can look like in real life:
One of my clients had this incredible potential, but she kept holding herself back. On the surface, it seemed like fear of failure. But as we dug deeper, she realized it was actually a fear of success.
Emily’s family was supporting her financially while she built her business. She knew, logically, they’d be over the moon if she became successful. But emotionally, she worried that success would mean losing the close connection she had with them. Without the financial tie, she felt she’d be lonely—like that bond might fade.
This fear kept her stuck, hesitating to raise her rates, take on more clients, or really go all in on her business. But after a couple Brainspotting sessions she was able to let go of the belief that success would cost her connection and everything changed.
She not only started booking her schedule at her full rate, but she also stepped into the confidence she’d been searching for. Her family? They were still just as connected, but now, they were celebrating her success alongside her.
Letting go of that fear allowed her to claim the success she’d been craving all along.
The Truth: Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. You can grow sustainably and create boundaries that protect what matters most.
5. Fear of Being Seen
The Belief: “If people really see me, they’ll judge me.”
Where It Comes From:
This belief often stems from past experiences of rejection, ridicule, or feeling misunderstood. It’s a protective mechanism to stay small and avoid vulnerability.
How It Shows Up in Business:
Avoiding social media, speaking engagements, or networking events.
Downplaying your achievements to avoid drawing attention.
Staying in your comfort zone instead of expanding your reach.
What this can look like in real life:
I used to dread showing up on social media. Every time I hit “Post,” I thought, “What if this doesn’t land? What if someone disagrees or judges me?” I spent thousands on programs and courses thinking it would fix the problemIt took time to realize that not everyone will connect with my message—and that’s okay. The people who are meant to work with me will resonate with my authenticity, not my ability to blend in. Once I embraced that, showing up became so much easier.
The Truth: Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. The right people will connect with your authenticity, not judge it.
Ready to Break Free from These Beliefs?
The first step to overcoming limiting beliefs is recognizing them. But to truly break free, you need tools that address the root of the issue.
In Overcoming Limiting Beliefs A Step-by-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs, I go deeper into how these beliefs are formed, how they affect your business, and how to clear them for good using Brainspotting Therapy.
If you’re tired of these beliefs keeping you stuck, it’s time to rewrite the story. Schedule your free 30-minute Beyond Mindset Breakthrough session to pinpoint your limiting beliefs and develop a plan to move past them and on to success.
