Limiting Beliefs

I think the old way of the “guru” showing us how to live, what to do, what to avoid, etc. is no longer relevant. We all want someone who leads us while still going through the battle. Someone who is honest and will say that they don’t have it all together, however, they have already discovered the tools needed to continue to push forward, to continue to take the next step, and how they handle setbacks. Now, that’s not to say that experience doesn’t matter. It does. I just think people aren’t wanting the 85-year-old as the coach/mentor. They want someone in the thick of it.

I say all that to say, I’m in the thick of it. Actually, I’m a f-ing mess recently. There, I said it. And my mess primarily comes from my thoughts. The modern buzz term would be, “Limiting Beliefs.” I suffer from “LBS” - Limiting Belief Syndrome. (LBS…is not a thing…until now…ha!) My LBS gets the best of me on a daily basis. LBS and IBS…it sucks!

I battle with the lies in my head daily. Some of these lies are exactly that: straight-up lies.

“You’re not good enough.”

”You’re not worth it.”

”You won’t be taken care of.”

“Look at the mess you’ve made.”

”They don’t like you, they are just being nice.”

”You’re a fraud.”

These are just some of the thoughts that circle through my head daily. This doesn’t include the lies that people have said to me over the years. (ex: “You need to learn to say, ‘Do you want fries with that?’ Because that’s all you’ll be able to do.” — literally heard that my entire childhood.)

I know I’m not alone in having limiting beliefs…or should I say, LBS. I have conversations on a daily basis with people fighting the same battle.

So what should you do?

Here are a couple of different things I do that help me with my LBS:

1. Write out the lies, crumble up the paper, and throw it away.

   • Sometimes, I have to do this a few times a day. But the act of writing them out then throwing it away helps me know these thoughts aren’t true and I can dismiss them.

2. Say out loud the things that ARE true.

   • Expressing the truth out loud will do something to your mind and your soul. Do it while you’re driving! People will just think you’re talking on Bluetooth. Wherever it is, just say these affirmations out loud!

3. Remember who you are and who you’re becoming.

   • It’s not about our past failures or shortcomings. I know who I am, deeply rooted in Truth, and who I’m becoming. Lean into who you are and who you are becoming. It’s powerful.

4. Contemplative Prayer and Meditation.

   • I know this sounds a little out there…but it helps. I’m not good at it yet, I can only meditate for about 5 minutes, then I’m done. But this really helps slow my mind down and helps me think clearly.

5. Reach out to someone.

   • I think the best lesson I’ve learned thus far is that I don’t have to go through life alone. Texting someone within my inner circle, with no hesitation and no judgment from them, is incredibly valuable. If you have a coach, reach out to them. If you don’t have a coach, then we should talk! Having someone consistently with you and present in your life will make all the difference in the world.

I hope this helps you. A lot of the thoughts circling in your head are lies. Remember the truth.

Imagine how you could live and what you could do if you lived out of truth.

Grace and Peace, friends.

VM