80 Common Limiting Beliefs Examples Holding You Back

We all have certain limiting beliefs that hold us back from reaching our full potential. These negative beliefs often stem from negative past experiences or even deep-rooted childhood experiences that shape our belief system.

Whether it’s the feeling of not having enough time, enough experience, or enough money, these limiting beliefs examples can feel like absolute truths. 

But the good news is, they don’t have to be.

Many of the most common limiting beliefs (like fear of failure or imposter syndrome) are nothing more than a state of mind. They act as defense mechanisms that keep us inside our comfort zone and prevent us from stepping into new opportunities. 

The first step to overcoming them is recognizing these common examples of self-limiting beliefs and shifting your thought process.

A growth mindset is key to personal development and can help you embrace more empowering beliefs about yourself. By replacing your critical negative thoughts with empowering new beliefs, you will find the only way to live your best life is by letting go of what’s been holding you back.

What are limiting beliefs?

Understanding what limiting beliefs are will help you break free from the hold they have on your life. Limiting beliefs restrict how you see your life unfolding and what you are able to accomplish.

They’re that loud, annoying voice in your head that is shaped by past mistakes and negative experiences that keeps you from chasing your dream job or starting new projects.

The most common self-limiting beliefs revolve around personal beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t have enough time.” These beliefs create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the limitations you believe in shape your reality.

Whether it’s low self-esteem, fear of change, or impostor syndrome, these beliefs often stem from deep-rooted core beliefs or previous experiences. They keep you from stepping into new things or making important career transitions because you “aren’t that kind of person” or “don’t have enough money.”

Many times, you may not even realize that you have these beliefs. Over time, we become so accustomed to listening to that voice in our heads that it shapes our daily routines, the choices we make, and even our relationships with family members.

These limiting beliefs are often developed through societal norms or the influence of people’s opinions. They can be so damaging that they hold you back from your true potential, impacting not only your self-confidence but also your motivation, one of the most important things in achieving personal growth.

The bottom line is that recognizing and overcoming these limiting beliefs is the starting point for living a better life. By taking small steps and focusing on building new skills, you can shift your thought process and break free from the barriers that have been holding you back.

Your Beliefs and Your Mindset

A fixed mindset is a way of looking at the world that sees skills and characteristics as fixed traits that cannot be improved upon. When we use limiting belief statements, we often use them to excuse ourselves from growth. Doing this keeps us stuck in our lives rather than pushing to reach our potential.

By contrast, a growth mindset believes that with hard work and dedication, any obstacle can be overcome. Struggles are seen as opportunities when a growth mindset is used.

As you read these limiting beliefs examples, think about how you could change each statement to take action, rather than using the limiting belief as a way out.

To learn more about how the power of a growth mindset can be used to overcome limiting beliefs, check out our top 5 takeaways from Carol Dweck’s Mindset.

Self-Limiting Beliefs Examples About Yourself

Limiting beliefs examples that involve negative self-talk are some of the most hurtful and restricting statements we can make about ourselves. When you declare that you are not something, you rob yourself of the opportunity to show yourself that you are that something.

Many of the limiting beliefs we have about ourselves negatively impact the value we see in ourselves. This can cause us to struggle with self-love.

One of the best ways to transform your limiting beliefs into self-love statements is by practicing self-love with positive affirmations for self-love. These examples of self-limiting beliefs are some of the most powerful and restricting beliefs we hold about ourselves that keep us from reaching our potential.

1. I’m not good enough.
2. I’m too old.
3. I’m too young.
4. I’m not thin enough.
5. I’m not pretty enough.
6. I’m not smart enough.
7. I’m too shy.
8. I’m too big.
9. I’m not brave enough.
10. I am not that type of person.
11. I’m too selfish.
12. I’m too out of shape.
13. I’m too tired.
14. I can’t help it.
15. It’s not my fault.
16. I can’t do it.
17. I am terrible at everything.
18. I don’t have what it takes.
19. I’m not strong enough.
20. I am not creative enough.

Limiting Beliefs Examples About Your Job

Our work requires us to apply our skills to complete tasks. When things get tough, it is easy to listen to the voice inside that uses our limiting beliefs to convince us we are not good enough to perform.

When you feel your skills aren’t good enough, remember that a growth mindset believes that skills can be developed through practice and hard work. Take these limiting beliefs examples and rephrase them into action statements that drive you forward in your work toward your goals!

21. I’m not good enough at this.
22. This job is too hard for me.
23. I can’t just quit my job.
24. I’m terrible at this job.
25. I will never find another job.
26. I don’t have the skills that I need.
27. I don’t have enough experience.
28. My coworkers are so much better than me.
29. Someone else has already done it better.
30. I’ll never be as good as them.
31. I’ll be stuck here forever.
32. I just don’t get paid enough.
33. I’m already working my hardest.
34. My boss is too hard on me.
35. I’ll never like my job.

Limiting Beliefs About Life and Relationships

When we hold limiting beliefs about ourselves, they often spill over into other areas of our lives. The way we interact with obstacles in our lives is also affected when we listen to our limiting beliefs.

These limiting beliefs also impact how we believe others see us. This can impact whether or not we have healthy relationships with others. Try to dig deep and get to the bottom of these sorts of statements that we make and believe about ourselves. Are they true? Or are they a result of our own limiting beliefs being projected onto others?

36. I don’t have time for that.
37. People think I’m crazy.
38. I am always judged for everything I do.
39. I can’t be myself.
40. I never have time for myself.
41. I am always right.
42. I am always wrong.
43. I am unlovable.
44. I will never meet someone who will tolerate me.
45. I am too broken for a relationship.
46. I am a terrible friend.
47. I am too clingy.
48. I am too quiet to meet new people.
49. No one understands me.
50. I am too much.

Beliefs We Get From Our Parents

Children do not come with instruction manuals. Whether it is intentional or not, some of the most powerful self-limiting beliefs examples come from our parents. This makes sense since our parents are so instrumental in helping us form our identities.

Limiting beliefs from parents happen when we are told by our parents that we are or are not supposed to do certain things. Since families all have their own values, it is natural for parents to want to instil those values in their children.

Here are a few examples of self-limiting beliefs that can come from our parents, even when they mean well.

51. I have to be perfect.
52. I am only loved if…
53. It isn’t acceptable for me to make mistakes.
54. This is just the way I am.
55. I am only successful if I have lots of money.
56. My interests are a waste of time.
57. I have to go to a good school.
58. I have to get a good job.
59. I have to have the best of the best.
60. I am not that kind of person.

Limiting Beliefs About Money

Limiting ourselves to the beliefs we have about ourselves also impacts how we interact with money. The way we spend our money is directly related to our self-confidence and how secure we feel in our lives. The way we were raised and the experiences we have all shape the beliefs we have about ourselves and our finances.

What story do you tell yourself about your finances? Do you allow your limiting beliefs to make your financial decisions for you? How many of these limiting beliefs examples do you tell yourself regularly?

61. I grew up poor, so I will always be poor.
62. I will always be in debt.
63. I’ll never pay off this mortgage.
64. I’ll never have enough money to feel secure.
65. I have to work all the time or I will go broke.
66. I’ll just pay myself back.
67. I will pay off my credit card eventually.
68. I can live comfortably in debt.
69. Things are just too expensive.
70. Everything would be okay if I was paid more.
71. If I could just buy it all, I would be happy.
72. I don’t need a budget.
73. I get paid a lot so I don’t need to save money.
74. I will worry about saving money when I’m older.
75. My family is rich so I don’t need to worry about my finances.

Beliefs We Have About Success That Keep Us From Succeeding

We all have our own definition of success. However, with it comes our own set of beliefs about ourselves that hold us back from reaching our own version of success.

It is possible to overcome the following set of common self-limiting beliefs examples. Setting smart goals that are SMART and value-driven will help you reach the goals you set for yourself.

Often times, we give up on our goals because we just don’t have the perseverance to make them a reality. This isn’t something to be ashamed of though! Sometimes we just need an extra push. Consider using quotes about grit to help motivate you to find your own special blend of passion and perseverance to help you achieve your wildest and craziest goals.

76. I don’t need to set goals, I work hard enough as it is.
77. I’ll never get there.
78. I might as well give up.
79. It’s not worth it when I know I will fail.
80. I’ll just do it later.

How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

As you read through the list above, how many of the limiting beliefs examples do you believe about yourself? You’re not alone if you identified with a lot of them—this is something a lot of people struggle with.

At some point in our lives, we start telling ourselves a story based on our own beliefs and daily life experiences. Over time, we come to believe this story, allowing it to shape our reality. Our negative self-talk becomes the narrative we live by, limiting our career paths, relationships, and personal growth.

So, how do we change this?

The best way to tackle these examples of common limiting beliefs is by embracing a growth mindset and acknowledging that you are a work in progress. It’s a good thing to realize you are not defined by your first attempt or your past. These beliefs are just a small part of your life experience and can be changed.

The next time you feel stuck, recognize that you’re not alone in this place of fear – many others have faced similar situations and emerged stronger.

Start by writing down your top ten self-limiting beliefs from this list. Use positive thinking and positive affirmations as a powerful tool to reshape your subconscious mind. It may take a long time, but the most important thing is to keep going. Set a goal to overcome these beliefs, one by one, and with each success, you’ll feel more confident.

Rewrite the particular beliefs you have about yourself. Shift your mindset to focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t. It’s time to start telling yourself a new story, one that empowers you to grow, achieve, and thrive.

If you are looking for more inspiration to conquer your limiting beliefs, check out this collection of empower yourself quotes!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who you think could use some help overcoming their own limiting beliefs, this post could be what they need to start telling themselves a different story!

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