Limiting Beliefs - Are They Holding You Back?

You have the best idea, great marketing strategies, and effective systems in place, but you still feel stuck. You can't get any momentum. If this is the case, limiting beliefs may be holding you back...

My definition of a limiting belief is something that you believe to be true about yourself (that really is not true) and it prevents you from moving forward as you'd like.

These limiting beliefs have been internalized, often times from childhood. You believe them to be as true as the sky is blue and the grass is green. That's how you function in the world. It's not until you challenge that belief and focus on a more conscious level that you can see it isn't in fact true at all.

Let me share with you an example of a limiting belief that held me back for years.

I am a big believer in collaboration...but that wasn't always the case. When I was a little girl, I was constantly told how important it was that I be independent and self-sufficient. My father loved telling me all the great things I could do as an independent woman from travel to business adventures.

As great as many of his messages were, they ironically held me back. For many years, I was so focused on him being right, which meant I must be independent, and not let others in to provide support. I was a one-woman show, as if to be anything less would have been a disappointment. I even had an old boyfriend tell me he felt like I could live on a deserted island!

Now, as I've gotten older and wiser, I've been able to examine how this belief doesn't serve me and let it go. That means I can now delegate, partner and reach out to others.

When you work on your personal growth you will undoubtedly see your business grow exponentially. I know for myself I have experienced this time and time again. Every single time I clear through some of my own issues, I surge forward. It's as if the limiting belief was a noose around my neck holding me back.

Here are some limiting belief examples that can really affect women in business.

Have you ever found yourself thinking...?

- I don't know enough.

- I can't do this.

- Who would want what I have to offer?

- I can't earn as much as I'd like.

- I'm not motivated enough.

- I'm not as good as the next person.

- I don't really deserve to make money.

Identify your limiting beliefs.

I've found that the first step is tuning in to your unconscious mind and listening to what it's telling you. For example, many of us struggle with the belief that we can't earn money because we haven't earned it in the past, that's a limiting belief. The result of this belief is most likely you're going to make it a reality by not earning money this time around either.

Many times we are unaware of our limiting beliefs. My friend Gina Bell of Networking Masters and JV Mavens gave some great advice on identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs.

Gina shared that although we can't always control the negative inner chatter, we can recognize it for what it is. She recommended writing or journaling as a great way to flush out the limiting beliefs that we might not realize exist in our own mind.

Shift your limiting beliefs into supporting beliefs.

Once you've identified any limiting beliefs, that awareness allows you to shift the energy into beliefs that serve you. You can shift the energy that was sitting in that negative belief into something new - something more positive and supportive. The thing that I found so empowering was the realization that when it comes to beliefs, we get to choose them.

Gina provided four tips to shift your limiting beliefs:

- Tip 1: Surround yourself with people who already believe in you.

- Tip 2: If you find it difficult to overcome certain beliefs, hire a mentor or coach to guide you through the process.

- Tip 3: Protect your new beliefs by limiting contact with "dream stealers." Dream stealers are those negative people who are just waiting to burst your bubble.

- Tip 4: Commit 100% to developing whatever knowledge or skills you need to develop and strengthen your believability to the point where "Success is a done deal." Go the extra mile.

These tips really do work. Thinking back on my last year in business, they're precisely the things that helped me shift away from my limiting belief and let go of my need to be a one-woman show. I now realize that my business doesn't need to be all about me.

When I first launched my business, it was MY brand; I was putting myself out there in a public place. Now, after lots of personal growth work, I am comfortably delegating to a very committed team of amazing people who support me behind the scenes. I've brought on "experts" to share their brilliance and offer a broader range of information to my community. I am collaborating with other special mom entrepreneurs with the vision that together we can do something much more amazing than any of us on our own. I see that the real gift is - not my independence - rather how I can use my gift of being a natural connector to harness the power of so many other wonderful women.

As I've cleared up limiting beliefs, taken action regardless of my fears, opened up to new possibilities and stepped up, doors have opened. We've been hearing a lot lately about the Law of Attraction, that our thoughts create our reality. We have the power to change the quality of our thoughts and re-tell our story.

If you're not getting what you want and your external world is not the way you want it, then I encourage you to examine what might be holding you back and let go of limiting beliefs. You'll be amazed at the results.

About The Author-- Kim DeYoung is the original metromom—a driven, evolving woman committed to her family, her career and achieving success on her own terms. Also known as the “Get It Done Girl”, Kim is the dynamic and creative force behind Metromom.com and The Metromom Entrepreneurs Association. Metromom is a comprehensive resource for the busy mom entrepreneur, providing solutions on marketing, money, mindset and motherhood.

Metromom is more than just a brand. It’s a tangible extension of Kim, reflecting her passion to give women the information and hands-on support they need to take action. At its core is the power of connection, like-minded women connect online to provide each other with support, great ideas and business opportunities. Kim also regularly connects her community with leading business, mindset and motherhood experts.

Kim never regrets leaving a career in the fashion industry to design a work/life balance on her own terms and she’s thrilled to help other women do the same. It is now with complete clarity that she combines her experiences in business, coaching, implementation, connection and parenting to offer women the resources and support they need to achieve the lifestyle they desire.

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