5 Self-Limiting Beliefs that Defeat Leaders
Self-limiting beliefs hide your beauty.
You work against yourself when you cling to self-limiting beliefs. I’m not saying if you can believe it, you can achieve it. That’s a ridiculous lie.
Beliefs are the difference between grit and giving up.
Assumptions about yourself determine your future. When you believe you can learn and grow you find courage to try. When you believe you can’t control your own life you play victim.
Self-limiting beliefs beat you down.
5 self-limiting beliefs that defeat leaders:
#1. I’m not smart enough.
Intellectual insecurity manifests as envy. You can’t enjoy smart people because they remind you that you’re dumb. If not envy, you underestimate yourself, aim low, and avoid challenges.
#2. I’m too old/young.
Limiting beliefs rule you out. You don’t belong. False assumptions end with regret.
You live in the house assumptions built.
#3. I’m afraid I will fail.
Of course you will fail. The only way to always succeed is to aim low.
#4. I’m afraid of what people think.
Other people drive your life when peer pressure grips you. The higher people rise in organizations the more this self-limiting belief drives behavior. Corporate leaders most fear the disapproval of people in power.
#5. I’m afraid people won’t like me.
You withdraw when you fear people don’t like you. If you don’t withdraw you feel insulted at innocent remarks or you go on attack defending yourself.
Fearing people don’t like you ends in loneliness.
5 steps forward:
- Notice beliefs that limit you. We wrestle demons we don’t see. They make fools of us.
- Talk about limiting beliefs with trusted friends.
- Step forward anyway. Do hard stuff. Prove yourself to yourself.
- Seek support. The people who go the furthest are the ones who get the most help. Every top athlete has a coach, for example.
- Let yourself be happy. Enjoy stuff.
What self-limiting beliefs do you see in yourself? In others?
How are you dealing with self-limiting beliefs?
Still curious:
Six Limiting Beliefs That Hold You Back
“Truly great book. A concise account of honesty, humility, and congruence. These are the best gifts this book offers to readers!” Reader’s comment after finishing our new book, The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership.
On #3 (I’m afraid I will fail): aim for the moon because if you miss, you are still among the stars.
Thanks Jennifer. Honest conversations with ourselves and others about failure are useful. How likely is failure? What happens if I fail? Do the people around you know you are reaching for the moon? Are they ok if you don’t get to the moon?
There’s those two words that I love so much ” trusted friends.” In a world of folks distanced by email, fear of illness, busyness, and a host of others reasons that put distance between people, trusted friends lend so much reciprocal value to our lives, our judgement. I owe so much progress to my trusted friends.
Thanks Ken. In a world of automated emails, fake news, and scammers, real relationships are precious.
Hi Dan and all,
Thank you for thought-provoking post ! How about, “I’m not ready” “It’s not the right time” or “(insert perfectionist thought here)” . I see lots of waiting around for the right time to make the perfect move.
Frustrating isn’t it, Cate. Just think what we could accomplish if we got over perfectionism.
What a great article. I am so guilty of being a self defeatist, but a work in progress. Have to strive to continue to be better, all day, everyday. On with the fight. Cheers.
Best wishes, Resound…. I hear you. I’m writing this stuff to myself.