Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: 5 Proven Strategies for Personal and Professional Growth
Have you ever said any of these statements?
“I’m not smart enough!”
“I’m too old to make a change!”
I’ll never be able to do that!”
“I don’t have the right experience.”
“I’m not ready!”
If any of these sound familiar, you’ve encountered what are known as limiting beliefs. These are the internal narratives that are sometimes so deeply ingrained that we may not even be conscious of them. They potentially create invisible barriers to our growth, progress and ability to seize opportunities—both professionally and personally. We feel stuck, but we don’t know why, nor how to fix it.
The challenge is that these beliefs often feel so real that we start to treat them as facts. Yet, in reality, they’re just stories—stories based on assumptions, past experiences, or societal conditioning, not objective truth. They can undermine our confidence, strain our relationships, and diminish our overall well-being. And before we know it, they become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The impact of limiting beliefs is more profound than many realize. In fact, research from the National Science Foundation shows that we have between 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, with 80% of those being negative, and up to 95% of them being repetitive. This means that for most people, limiting beliefs—whether we’re conscious of them or not—are playing a significant role in our daily decision-making, influencing everything from our careers to our relationships and overall well-being. But there are steps we can take to comfortably challenge these beliefs with compassion to move ourselves forward:
Step 1: Identify Your Limiting Beliefs
The first step to overcoming limiting beliefs is recognizing them. Notice any recurring thoughts or phrases that emerge, especially when you’re about to take a risk or try something new. I recommend keeping a journal to track these thoughts. Writing them down makes them tangible and easier to address. For years, I carried the belief that I wasn’t smart enough to run my own business. It wasn’t until I started questioning that belief that I was able to move forward, and now I’m proud to be celebrating more than a decade as CEO and Founder of my own company, Brunner Communications.
Step 2: Challenge Those Beliefs
Once you’ve identified a limiting belief, it’s time to challenge it. High achievers thrive on evidence, so ask yourself:
What concrete proof do I have that this belief is true?
Is there evidence to the contrary?
Often, these beliefs are rooted in outdated information or misconceptions. By challenging their validity, you begin to break down their power.
Step 3: Rewire Your Thinking
Changing the narrative takes time, but it’s essential for personal and professional growth. Techniques like visualization and affirmations are effective tools for reprogramming the mind. When practiced consistently, they can reshape your internal dialogue, making room for healthier, more empowering beliefs. So too is surrounding yourself with people who uplift and challenge you in meaningful ways, those who believe in your potential, even when you don’t. Sometimes, it’s also helpful to have the assistance of a professional therapist or life coach to work with you on this process.
Step 4: Take Incremental Action
Success comes through action. Start by setting small, achievable goals that directly challenge your limiting beliefs. With each success, you’ll build confidence and create a positive feedback loop. In my book Dare to Own You, I offer proven strategies for building self-assurance and self-confidence through these incremental wins. The key is consistency—small, deliberate steps forward will add up over time.
Step 5: Practice Patience and Self-Compassion
Lastly, recognize that dismantling limiting beliefs is a process. It requires patience, persistence, and, most importantly, self-compassion. High performers are often hard on themselves, but overcoming limiting beliefs calls for a balance of rigor and grace.
I encourage you to reflect on the limiting beliefs that may be affecting your growth. What are they, and how are you actively working to overcome them? Feel free to connect with me and share your journey. I would love to hear how you’re breaking through your barriers. Remember, you have the power to rewrite your story. You are capable. You are enough. And you are ready. The time to act is now.
If you enjoyed this blog post, here are some other resources you might enjoy:
My book, "Dare To Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams Into Your Next Chapter": The winner of two Feathered Quill Book awards, and an Book Excellence award, and recommended by Forbes in 2022 as “a teaching memoir”.
My podcast, the "Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner" podcast: An award-winning and internationally streamed show that highlights powerful stories of re-creation and reinvention from guests who have taken their life experiences, and used that knowledge to create their “next chapters” and live their best lives.
My work as a keynote speaker, executive coach and communication expert. You can read more about more of my services here.
Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?
Brunner Communications assists high-profile individuals and organizations in sharpening and developing top level business communication, executive presence, and public speaking skills. Our passionate team provides one-on-one executive business coaching, and runs specialized business workshops. Through customized training, clients learn the necessary skills to become great communicators and build a marketable reputation.