Mindfulness Demystified: How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs
4 Strategies to Overcoming Limitations that Actually Works
Have you ever wanted to completely mix things up by completing rearranging the way you think, work, and approach life? Only to be confronted with the many reasons why it won’t work. Perhaps you are ready to boldly step into a new way of life but prior missteps and shortcomings have literally immobilized you with fear.
If this resonates with you, I can guarantee you that you are not alone. In fact, many grapple with the very urge to reinvent themselves, but are often stifled by false limiting beliefs that mislead us into believing that we are not enough.
On all accounts, you’ve done the work, repeatedly set intentions, following all of the steps down to the most minute detail, only to fall short every time. Disappointed and bewildered, you’re likely perplexed by the fact that it feels like you can’t seem to bring about sustainable change.
Searching for some semblance of clarity, you resolve yourself to the belief that maybe this practice just isn’t meant for you. Luckily, there is good news.
Contrary to popular belief, mindfulness practice is accessible to all who seek to access it, in spite of any limiting beliefs. This post will explore the four strategies to overcome limiting beliefs.
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that stifle us from realizing our full potential. Be it good, bad, or indifferent, our beliefs can either enhance or restrict our ability to achieve our intentions.
As a collective, there seems to be this notion that we must remain consistent with how we have previously identified ourselves. In other words, this implies that there is only a small liminal space in which we can evolve until we reach any self-imposed limitations.
Limiting beliefs are shaped by external, and internal factors that dictate what we accept as possible. Be it parental figures, or societal norms, our observations, and experiences with “the way things are,” can shape our beliefs about what is possible. At its core, our beliefs shape the lens through which we see ourselves interacting with the world around us. Seeing is believing, so seeing others who look like us do the very things which we may have believed were impossible, is one way in which we can dismantle any beliefs that no longer serve.
The First Step to Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Unbeknownst to us, limiting beliefs are often so ingrained within us, that we are often unconscious of their existence. In doing so, it oftentimes makes it that much more difficult to transmute. This is reminiscent of seeing someone who mirrors your experience exceed societal preconceived notions of what was possible for select public office positions.
For instance, up until very recently, there hadn’t previously been an African American woman who has ever held a seat on the Supreme Court. Up until this point, many likely held the notion that a black woman holding a seat on the Supreme Court was in fact possible, but highly unlikely, due to the well-established patterns in American history.
Likewise, in the case of a black man, being elected President of the United States, once let alone twice, was also a first that many doubted would be realized within this day and age. No matter how you slice it, limiting beliefs can either stifle or push us to go beyond societal norms. However, awareness is the key to overcoming limiting beliefs.
Interestingly, awareness is the first step to evolving beyond anything that no longer serves. This inherently raises a very important question.
How do you know that you have limiting beliefs if it is not at the forefront of your awareness?
So glad you asked. Mindfulness is a practice that calls us to increase our awareness of how we engage in activities. From walking, eating, communicating, responding to others, and everything else in between, mindfulness supports us to root our awareness within the present moment.
4 Strategies to Overcome Limiting Beliefs that Actually Work
1. Increase Awareness of Your Beliefs
One cannot effect change unless one increases their awareness of its presence. In essence, you cannot change that which you cannot see. Meditation calls us to center our awareness on a singular focus. Be it a select single-pointed focus, or whether we elect to increase our awareness of the natural rhythm and flow of the breath, distractions will arise, and threaten to steal our attention away from our intended focus.
At any given point, thoughts, feelings, and emotions will likely arise to the surface of our awareness. This very practice supports us to bring beliefs and thought patterns that may have been hidden into the forefront of our awareness. Designate time immediately following meditation practice, to journal all that arose to the surface.
2. Identify Your Beliefs
One of the best ways to explore the realms of our belief systems is to ask yourself empowering questions (i.e., what prevents me from realizing my intention? Etc). The practice of journaling supports us to go beyond, and explore the depths of our beliefs, by using any mode of expression that suits us best. Be it writing, typing, audio recording, or otherwise, allow yourself the explore using best method that provides the most ease of use.
3. Give Yourself Permission to Evolve
Much of life is a series of trial and error. Meaning we use various approaches to live our lives. Of which some are a success, while others unfold as lessons learned. What we experienced yesterday does not mean we are destined to repeat the same narrative in the future that follows.
Life is static, meaning we are constantly learning and evolving each and every moment that follows. In essence, no one remains the same. Therefore, holding yourself hostage to your prior self, reinforces self-sabotage. Giving yourself permission to evolve, provides the space for you to create a future that cultivates joy.
4. Release Uncertainty
We all experience some degree of fear of the unknown. However, releasing the urge to tightly control our experience, frees us to live in the moment. The very things we resist the most remain regulates our situations and circumstances to exactly remain the same.