Self-Limiting Beliefs
Let me introduce you to Tony.
Tony is ‘unable’ to jump up in the car when we need to go to the veterinarian.
However, I just walked into my bedroom and found him sprawled out on my bed. Which is TALL.
So that leads me to believe one of two things;
- Tony is full of crap.
- You can do anything if you want it bad enough.
This makes me contemplate self-limiting beliefs.
Tony is a rescue. I have had him since he was about 5 weeks old. He has generalized anxiety, numerous skin conditions, two knee surgeries (one on each), scar tissue from bites by a copperhead, separation anxiety, and hates wood or vinyl flooring (he refuses to walk on it) and So. Much. More.
But I am madly in love with him. He is mine, and I am his.
I tend to be overly cautious with him at times. I know when he jumps up in the vehicle and bangs his knee, it hurts, and he limps for days. (I can relate, as I have had 5 knee surgeries) So I tell him to hold on, and I go over and lift his heavy butt up in the car. (My knees LOVE this.) When he must cross the vinyl floor at the vet’s office, I have to carry him. (Did I mention that he weighs 85 pounds?!)
What I am wondering is this. When we start believing something about ourselves, or everyone around us starts treating us in a particular way, do we change our behavior? Pavlov seems to think so.
So, when it comes to medical conditions, health, or even our own belief in what is possible, do we feel we already have the outcome planned out in advance? Do we let people around us set the stage for our future?
Have you ever played ‘small’ to keep everyone around you comfortable?
Have you changed your dreams to better match everyone in your social circle?
Or maybe the opposite? Have you ever worked for something you never thought you would be able to achieve and did, simply because everyone else thought you could?
I would love to hear from you. What kind of self-limiting beliefs have held you back? What drives you to do better? How have you rewritten these beliefs to allow you to do more?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
I often underestimated myself in my younger years. There were times I have been pushed into a position at a job or in an organization that I thought I wasn’t ready for or wasn’t good enough for. The older I got I realized I’m was my own self esteem holding me back. I thrived in these positions and typically received nothing but praise after being almost forced into them.
I think many of us underestimate our abilities. It has been said that we are our own worst critics, and I would have to agree! I think more often than not, we are limited by our own beliefs. I always think of a quote I heard years ago that basically said “You need to get out of your own way”. I wish I could remember who said it, but it has stuck with me! 🙂 Keep moving forward!! You’re doing great.