Step 3: Release Limiting Beliefs
During the process of manifesting your dreams, do take note of any limiting thoughts or beliefs that pop up. They can sound like:
- He/she/they can do it because they have money.
- I cannot change my life. It is fate.
- I will fail.
- I am too old/young to do anything.
- I am trapped because of my obligations and commitments.
- Dreams are useless.
- It’s too late for me.
- I am too stupid to learn anything.
- I am not good enough.
Your beliefs are like the operating system of your brain. They are one of the primary filters that determine what you delete and what you pay attention to. They determine how you perceive and interpret your experiences. Beliefs act as self-fulfilling prophecies. They act as permissions as well as blocks to what we can do. They have to be acted on if they are to mean anything; therefore, beliefs are principles of action, not empty ideals.
Beliefs are never absolutely true. For every belief, there is always a counter-belief. When a belief stops us from moving forward or achieving our goals, then that is a non-useful or limiting belief. The beliefs that we have will cause us to react/respond to a situation in a certain manner. In turn, that often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The beliefs we hold can propel us forward or chain us to the unchangeable past. By changing some of our limiting beliefs to more powerful ones, it can create an immediate change. For example, from ‘it is impossible to change my life’ to ‘having a different mindset or strategies can provide the needed change’.
Some limiting beliefs can deep-rooted due to past traumas or experiences. When I was creating my dream boards, it surfaced a lot of limiting beliefs that I had about myself. Working with a coach and also, therapists was super useful in allowing me to release the past and form healthier/ powerful beliefs for my future.
If your limiting thoughts and beliefs persist or cause you pain, you might wish to consult a professional for example, a coach or psychologist to work with you to release them. There is absolutely no shame in seeking help. In fact, it takes courage to open up and be vulnerable.
Everyone deserves to flourish and that includes you!