The Power of Now: Mindfulness Techniques for Dissolving Limiting Belief
4 Techniques to Free Yourself from Limitation
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. Many grapple with the 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.
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 enhance or restrict our ability to achieve our intentions.
There seems to be a collective 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 things are with “the way it” 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.
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.
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