Through the years of my life, my ability to self-sabotage was like no other. But if you look closely at the sabotage, there is typically a reason behind it. We must explore these reasons in greater detail to move forward in our lives and overcome the barriers that hold us back from reaching our goals or achieving our version of success.
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are the deeply ingrained thoughts or assumptions we hold about ourselves, others, or the world that restrict us from taking action or pursuing opportunities. They often sound like, “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll fail if I try,” or “I don’t deserve success.” These beliefs form the foundation of self-sabotage, shaping how we view challenges and the choices we make.
Where Do They Come From?
The origins of limiting beliefs often lie in our past experiences. For some, they stem from childhood—things we heard from parents, teachers, or peers that shaped how we view our capabilities and worth. For others, they arise from societal pressures, past failures, or even traumatic events. Over time, these beliefs become invisible scripts running in the background, influencing our decisions without us even realizing it.
For example, if you grew up hearing, “Success comes at a cost,” you might unconsciously associate achievement with losing something important, like relationships or freedom. This belief could lead you to sabotage opportunities that could bring you closer to your goals.
Recognizing Self-Sabotage
Self-sabotage is how limiting beliefs manifest in our daily lives. It can look like:
- Procrastination: Putting off tasks because deep down, you fear failing at them.
- Perfectionism: Setting unrealistically high standards to avoid facing your perceived inadequacies.
- Avoidance: Staying in your comfort zone because stepping out feels too risky.
- Negative self-talk: Telling yourself you’re not capable, smart, or worthy enough.
The tricky thing about self-sabotage is that it often feels rational at the moment. You convince yourself there’s a good reason to delay, over-prepare, or not try at all. But in hindsight, you can see how these actions (or inactions) kept you stuck.
A Personal Example of Self-Sabotage
An example of this would be starting a business in men’s mental health and taking on hypnotherapy. While I did schooling for it and continue to learn, I thought to myself I was crazy to try and enter the field. I felt my knowledge was minimal and I constantly looked for excuses not to do specific things. I always thought I needed specific tools for writing—even this newsletter—or that I needed perfect lighting and cameras to start my podcast and create videos.
Really, these were all excuses and ways to delay the starting process. Sadly, this went on for multiple years before I realized I was feeding myself with excuses and sabotaging my potential future. Recognizing this pattern was a turning point that allowed me to take action and move forward.
How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Self-Sabotage
The first step to breaking free from self-sabotage is self-awareness. Take time to reflect on patterns in your behavior. Ask yourself:
- What do I avoid, and why?
- What thoughts come up when I consider taking a risk?
- Are these thoughts based on facts or assumptions?
Once you’ve identified your limiting beliefs, challenge them. Replace “I’m not good enough” with “I am learning and growing every day.” Reframing your mindset takes practice, but it’s a powerful way to shift your inner narrative.
Another key step is to take small, intentional actions that contradict your limiting beliefs. If you believe you’re not capable of public speaking, for instance, start by speaking up in small group settings. Each small victory builds confidence and weakens the grip of your beliefs.
Moving Forward
Overcoming limiting beliefs and self-sabotage is not an overnight process. It’s a journey of self-discovery and growth. Along the way, it’s essential to surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and challenge you. Consider seeking guidance from a coach, therapist, or trusted mentor to gain new perspectives and tools.
Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool to uncover and reprogram the subconscious beliefs that drive self-sabotage. By addressing the root causes of these beliefs, hypnotherapy allows you to release them and create new, empowering thought patterns. If you’re curious about how hypnotherapy can help, feel free to reach out or explore the resources I’ve shared in my Skool community.
Tell me about your limiting beliefs
What limiting belief is holding you back right now? I encourage you to take a moment to reflect and share your thoughts. You’re not alone in this journey, and I’d love to hear from you.
Join the conversation in my Skool community, where we dive deeper into overcoming barriers and building emotional intelligence. It’s a space where you can connect with like-minded individuals and access tools like guided hypnotherapy sessions, workshops, and more. Let’s take the next step together toward your goals and the life you envision.
