Beliefs.
Psychological beliefs
Beliefs are our internal blueprint of how our world works.
Beliefs help us make quick judgements. They form from our experiences and the meaning we give to those experiences. Beliefs can shape our thoughts, attitudes our emotions and behaviours.
We use our beliefs to form an internal map of how our world works,
However, this map is not always an accurate reflection of reality. Our beliefs, can sometimes be self limiting, preventing us from exploring our potential. Often times these beliefs are set from early on through what were told by our friends and family teachers and peers,
We often adopt what others believe about us, allowing external opinions to shape our self-perception. Over time, the views of those around us can influence how we see ourselves, affecting our confidence, choices, and behaviors. While positive beliefs can be empowering, negative ones can limit us. Recognizing and challenging these beliefs allows us to reclaim our self-image and define our potential on our own terms
The Power of Limiting Beliefs
Limiting beliefs are those persistent thoughts that hold us back. They can show up in everyday situations without us even realizing it, but their influence is strong and, over time, they carve out mental patterns that define how we behave. These beliefs arent always present in conscious thoughts but they can exist in a feeling or an attitude towards situations or ideas.
Beliefs that are tied to our identity are particularly powerful. These beliefs form the foundation of how we see ourselves, and changing them can feel like challenging the core of who we are. For instance:
I have an addictive personality.
I’m an anxious person.
I cant be happy until…
I’m not smart enough.
I don’t fit in.
I've got no willpower.
I’m not that type of person.
People will laugh at me.
Ive always been a glass half full person.
These beliefs promote the idea that there is some special reason why we cant do things that others can. So we should avoid trying to go against who we are because we can’t change it.
By choosing to believe this, we conveniently admonish responsibility for our behaviours and avoid pain or discomfort from trying and possibly failing.
These are the beliefs that keep us stuck, often in painful situations.
The longer we hold onto limiting beliefs, the more entrenched they become and the further they impact our lives.
The truth is that fear underlies most of these beliefs.
Fear of failure, fear of pain and fear of rejection.
It’s worth noting not all limiting beliefs are bad for us, often they keep us safe. Like the belief we probably shouldn’t gamble our life savings at the casino.
Other times those limiting beliefs keep you in a job you hate, and stop you from pursuing your passion or getting into a relationship or starting a new fitness routine.
If you believe the only way to lose weight and get fit is to endure long painful workouts and eat restrictively for the rest of your life, You’ll likely avoid ever starting.
If you believe you have an addictive personality, you won’t bother to quit bad habits.
If you believe you’ve got no willpower, you won’t try to stop yourself smoking drinking, vaping, eating or whatever your addictive vice happens to be.
you become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Neuroplasticity and Change
Our brains are neuroplastic, which is to say they can change over time. This incredible adaptability means that the brain isn't fixed or hardwired, but rather malleable and capable of forming new connections throughout life. Whether it's learning a new skill, or changing a long-held habit, neuroplasticity allows our brains to rewire and reshape themselves based on our experiences, actions, and even our thoughts.
One of the most fascinating aspects of neuroplasticity is that it can work both ways—positively or negatively. If we continuously reinforce negative thought patterns or unhealthy behaviours, our brain strengthens those neural pathways, making those habits or thoughts more automatic. However, the reverse is also true: by consciously practising new ways of thinking or behaving, we can form new neural pathways and weaken the old ones.
This ability for the brain to adapt opens the door for significant personal growth and change. For example, if you’ve ever told yourself “I’m not a creative person” or “I can’t manage stress well,” neuroplasticity offers a way out of these limiting beliefs. By intentionally challenging these thoughts and engaging in activities that nurture creativity or stress management, you can literally rewire your brain to support new patterns of thought and behaviour.
Research has shown that even well into adulthood, the brain retains the ability to grow and change. Mindfulness, meditation, learning new skills, and even simple daily habits like physical exercise can help promote positive brain changes. This is empowering, because it means that change isn’t just possible—it’s within your control.
So, if your trying to develop a new habit, break an old one, or simply become a better version of yourself, remember: your brain has the ability to adapt and grow with you. Neuroplasticity ensures that you are not bound by the person you’ve always been; instead, you can become the person you choose to be through deliberate practice and focus. Change is not only possible, but inevitable with the right mindset and actions.
Action:
In the coming days, pay attention to when you feel an aversion to a task or situation arising. Alternatively think about a time in the past you perhaps did. Be honest with yourself. Ask yourself the following questions.
What are the reasons I feel like this.
Are my reasons rooted in fear of rejection or pain ?
What if I am wrong ?
Is it just me who thinks this ?
Has someone else suggested this to me ?
Has it always been this way for me ?
If I continue to feel or think this way. What might the outcome be in a years time ?
Is thinking like this keeping me safe or comfortable ? How does it serve me ?
Listen to others who might be promoting a limiting belief about themselves or the world. Think about times you might have believed something similar.