If you'd asked my 18-year-old self what my life would be like in 30 years time, I probably would have got one thing right. I wanted to be a history teacher & 10 years later, I was. I never thought I'd have children, let alone meet someone that would love me for being me.
Reflecting on my journey, I often tell my coaching clients about the stories we tell ourselves. We say things like 'Oh, I can't do that,' 'I'm not good at that,' or 'That'll never happen for me.' These thoughts are what some call 'Impostor Syndrome,' while others label them as limiting beliefs.
One powerful question I ask my clients during our sessions is, "Whose voice are you hearing when these thoughts arise?" More often than not, they realise it's not their own voice but an external one - a parent, former employer, or sibling. This realisation becomes a turning point in their self-belief, as they begin to recognise the source of these doubts.
Overcoming limiting beliefs starts with acknowledging their presence & understanding that they are not the truth. They are simply ingrained narratives that have held us back.
To conquer limiting beliefs, I encourage my clients to practice these tips:
Tip #1 - **Challenge the Limiting Beliefs:**
Question the validity of these limiting thoughts. Ask yourself, "What evidence do I have to support or disprove them?" Often, you'll find they lack a solid foundation.
Tip #2 - **Visualise Success & Embrace Self-Belief:**
Envision yourself achieving your goals despite these beliefs. See yourself thriving & breaking free from self-imposed limitations. Visualisation can be a powerful tool in building self-confidence.
"Whether you think you can or think you can't. You're right." – Henry Ford
Tip #3 - **Surround Yourself with Support:**
Share your journey with supportive friends, mentors, or a coach. Having a positive & understanding support system can provide valuable perspectives & encouragement. Read my blog on The Power of a strong Support Network.
Tip #4 - **Celebrate Progress:**
Recognise & celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Acknowledging your progress reinforces a sense of accomplishment & boosts your self-belief.
Tip #5 - **Practice Self-Compassion:**
Be kind to yourself during this process. Understand that everyone faces doubts & it's okay to experience setbacks. Treat yourself with the same compassion you'd offer a close friend.
But How Do I Reframe Limiting beliefs?
Have a look at the sheet. This is an extract from the MalCPD Self-Coaching Project session on Overcoming barriers to success. Use this as an example to start reframing your own limiting beliefs.
In the course, I provide a specific worksheet to help you do this.
Conclusion
Embracing these strategies, my clients have discovered newfound strength & resilience within themselves. They've seen how limiting beliefs can be transformed into stepping stones toward growth & success.
And me? The voices I heard as an 18 year old said:
You're not university material
You'll never amount to anything
You're incapable of giving and receiving love
You'll fail at everything you do
You don't belong here.
Those voices were external. I proved them wrong.
Reader,
💥I made it to university and have 2 post graduates.
💥I was a very successful history teacher and school leader.
💥I'm now a successful business woman.
💥I found love. Real love. I have a partner who champions me, is proud of me and encourages me.
💥I also have 2 beautiful children who are my pride and pure joy.
💥I found my tribe, my community and have found the place where I belong.
Remember, it's never too late to challenge your limiting beliefs & embrace a future filled with self-belief & confidence. 💪
If you feel you have impostor syndrome and your limiting beliefs are holding you back, get in touch. Through coaching I will show you how to drown out that inner critic with your own confident and self-assured voice. Email: mal@malcpd.com
I'm an Executive Leadership Coach. I specialise in coaching individuals and team's to develop their assertiveness and emotional intelligence skills.
If this post resonates you may want to book a free discovery call. Or you could sign up to the MalCPD Self-coaching Project.
Book a free 30 min coaching call:
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