Lean Quote: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.."   —  Anthony Robbins

Limiting beliefs keep us in our comfort zone. They can greatly limit development and achievement in our goals, both personally and professionally. It is these thoughts, whether conscious or unconscious, that we regard as absolute truths. However, these negative thoughts, which hinder our journey towards life goals, can be overcome and replaced with more optimistic messages. By changing your thinking, you can change everything too.

 

The following steps can help you overcome limiting beliefs in the workplace and in your personal life.

 

1. Understand that limiting beliefs keep you from achieving your full potential. It may take time, but you need to firmly believe in yourself, what's holding you back and your ability to change.

 

2. Acknowledge that your beliefs are not facts. As previously stated, they may feel true, but all they are is a point of view — an often mistaken point of view.

 

3. Be aware. Notice when your internal voice is expressing a limiting belief. This isn’t always obvious, so your job is to constantly be on the lookout.

 

4. Replace a limiting belief with an empowering belief. Add an empowering belief that says you can change your limiting beliefs. And after you’ve noted a limiting belief, change it.

 

5. Remember what you're capable of. For example, if you catch yourself thinking that anxiety makes it impossible to build true friendships, remind yourself of your ability to improve your communication skills and continually improve your relationships.

 

6. Visualize an alternative outcome. Think about what would happen if you did not have some particular limiting belief. Make your visualization as real as possible. Imagine yourself becoming the person you could be without this limiting belief. Like what you see? You can do that!

 

7. Look for new opportunities to act. Seek out challenges where you can practice your new enabling beliefs.

 

The goal of these steps is to get your brain to notice your limiting beliefs and to see the other side of the beliefs. As you go through the process, writing everything on paper will help you better formulate your thoughts so you can pinpoint specific limiting beliefs and develop questions and answers to reverse them. Often, just knowing your limiting beliefs and acknowledging the possibilities that exist within them is enough to change your thought process. Other times, you need to refer to your written answers often to keep your new beliefs on track.

 

The bottom line is that when you rid yourself of limiting beliefs, anything you want in life becomes possible. So take the time to complete these steps today. By doing so, you’ll be able to attain all your personal and professional goals.