Are Limiting Beliefs Stopping You From Achieving Your Goals?

Inherently speaking, there is nothing that you are not capable of accomplishing. The truth is there is no such thing as can't - you only think you can't. Success is not a special privilege handed out to a selected few; success comes to applying success-oriented beliefs. Transform limiting beliefs into success beliefs and you can achieve anything.

That's where life coaching can and does make a big difference for many people. It helps you transform limiting beliefs into success-oriented beliefs that get you from where they are to where they want to be. It's no coincidence that when clients call me for life coaching services, they come to me because they feel stuck or blocked. They feel stuck because they don't realize their limiting beliefs have created an obstacle that is stopping them from achieving their goals.

Here's a perfect example. During one of my coaching sessions with a client, I asked him about his success with obtaining referrals (which is a key to any business). He told me that he typically will receive two referrals per client. When I asked him why he thought he didn't receive more, he replied, I just can’t imagine obtaining more than two referrals per client because that is what I typically receive. Then I asked him if he expected and believed he would receive more than two referrals (something like 5, 8, 12 or 25), did he think he might actually receive more referrals? He hesitated for a minute and in an "a-ha" moment, said yes. He realized at that moment his limiting belief was holding him back from something more. As soon as he changed his limiting belief, he began experiencing a higher number of referrals from his clients. How are limiting beliefs affecting your success?

Like I said, success is not a privilege handed out to a selected few; success is available to anyone who applies success-oriented beliefs to their life. Limiting beliefs create obstacles, while success-oriented beliefs tear them down. Although limiting beliefs are only thoughts, they create obstacles - literally. When you let go of limiting beliefs, you gain the power to not only get around obstacles, but prevent your mind from creating them in the future. Success beliefs help you realize that you can do anything and any obstacles you face are only imaginary blocks created by your limiting beliefs.

Success Belief #1
Everything begins and ends with you.
Blaming others for anything, including your reality, is nothing but a limiting belief. It never matters what other people say or do, it only matters what you say or do. Everything, good and bad, can always be traced back to an action (or reaction) you made. Taking responsibility for everything in your life isn't accepting personal blame; it's understanding that you are the creator of your life and you have the power to make successful choices. The power of choice takes you from being a passive acceptor to an active creator.

Success Belief #2
Yes you can.
Self-defeating talk is disempowering - give it up. It literally takes away all of your creation power. The truth is - there is no such thing as can't. For example, you can be a professional athlete if you chose to. It's unlikely you would become a professional athlete without training or experience, but you can be a professional athlete with training and persistence. Notice I said, unlikely? I didn't say can't because, really, anything is possible. There is no can't about it - you can if you choose. See the difference? Get back in the driver's seat and speak empowering words like, I am, I will, and I have. Granted, you have to be willing to do the work because saying I am will not magically transform you into someone else.

Success Belief #3
Commit to your goals.
If you want it, but aren't willing to do the work in order to get there, there's not much point. You have to really want it to commit to it. Choosing to do something because someone else wants you to do it only makes it easier to quit. Achieving your goals isn't always hard, but it does take focus, commitment, and hard work. Commitment is much easier to deliver when you have the desire for the end result.

Success Belief #4
You have got to believe in yourself.
From now on, you believe you can do anything because you realize that success just comes down to applying the right belief system. Those who believe, create the impossible every day all over the world. They dissolve disbelief in others by defying the odds and accomplishing what was said to be "the impossible." How did they do it? Because they believed they could do it, and committed to doing what needed to be done to get there. If they can do it - so can you.

Success Belief #5
Ignore the negative talk around you.
Many times you don’t even realize people are holding you back. They may not even realize they're doing it, but it's natural for those close to you to want you to remain at their level. It's human nature to want to keep close relationships and without even realizing it, they are holding you back, and you are allowing it. If you want something more than you currently have, and realize that means having to loosen the ties with those who are holding you back; you are entitled to excel to your next level. You don't have to necessarily leave them completely behind, but realize you are not obligated to remain in a limited level in life. You have the freedom to reach the next level, even if your current friends and family choose to not rise with you.

The people around you may mean well, but they don't always say the right things (this includes friends and family). They give us advice because they think they're helping us, but sometimes cause more harm than good. If people around you are telling you that you can't do something - don't listen to them. Be grateful, thank them for their input and politely state that you believe you can. Remember, there is a difference between can't and unlikely. Becoming a professional football player at age 45 is unlikely, but becoming a professional athlete in hundreds of other ways is absolutely possible.

Success Belief #6
State it in the positive.
Remember, your belief system shapes your reality, so say what you want and state it in the positive. For example, "I want a job that unleashes my potential." instead of, "I don't want another mindless job." Here's another, "I want to own my own business." instead of, "I don't want to be stuck in this job forever." Think about what you want, not what you don't want. Do you think Bill Gates spent all his time thinking about being a college dropout? No - he was to busy being focused on building his multi-billion dollar business.

Success Belief #7
Take financial responsibility.
If you want success, you have to learn to handle your money well. If you are in debt, do what you can to reduce or completely eliminate it. If you're on a budget, don't buy new clothes if you need to pay bills. Success comes to those who make financial decisions that support their long-term goals and success. Buying a new pair of shoes is great when you have the money, but if you have $100 dollars in the bank, it's just not a decision that supports your success. Buying new clothes is a great way to feel and look better, but it should never compromise your financial success.

There is creation power in your belief system; so use success-oriented beliefs to create a success driven life.

Whether you think you can or can't - either way, you are right.
HENRY FORD
Founder of Ford Motor Company