5 Ways to Overcome a Self Limiting Mindset

With the rise of self-help books and personal development podcasts, I am sure you are aware by now that mindset is everything. Your mindset can either be the shackles that hold you down or the wings that let you fly. It took me 20 years to realize that I am the only thing that is holding me back. Once I discovered this, it became so freeing because I can control that. I can control the way that I think, what I say, and what I do. I just have to push past the lies I tell myself and erase the lines of my comfort zone. This is overcoming a self limiting mindset. A self limiting mindset is exactly what it sounds like. It is the mindset you are stuck in that traps you from doing greater things because the things you tell yourself limit you from doing so. It can be hard to realize that you’re doing this to yourself, but it is easier to recover from than you might think. Here are the 5 ways to overcoming a self limiting mindset that have truly been life changing for me.

1. Determine what needs to be changed

The first step in solving any issue is figuring out what the problem is. If you’re reading this then you acknowledge that something isn’t working in your life, what is it? What are the lies that you are telling yourself/believing? What is going to change when you change the way you think?

Often times people refer to self help books or personal development podcasts for any solution to fix their lives but they fail to apply it and put it into practice. This is because most people lack vision. You want to change your life, but why? What are you hoping will be different as a result of your newfound mindset? If you don’t have a clear vision of what is going to change and what you’re going to change, you will have a very difficult time enduring the change.

2. Know your personality type.

Knowing your personality is important for changing your mindset because you need to know what your personality is before you can take steps to improve it. Someone who is more emotional wouldn’t take the same steps as someone who is more logical. There are many different personality tests out there and different categories to find yourself in. For the sake of keeping this blogpost short, I will briefly touch on two of my favorites. These two are also very easy to learn, understand, and apply.

The Myers Briggs 16 types is the most basic of personality tests. Simply take a short quiz about your preferences and it will give you the results of where you fit on the personality spectrum. Knowing the Myers Briggs is helpful because it allows you to understand not only the way that you tend to behave, but the people around you as well. This is incredibly beneficial for the health of your relationships.

The second personality typing system is the Enneagram. The Enneagram is an ancient tool that is used to help people understand the fears that motivate and hinder them. It is not a feel-good typing system like the Myers Briggs. The Enneagram really breaks down the core of your being and forces you to face the things that hold you back in life. It has truly been a life changing process for myself in realizing what fears drive me in my decision making and what coping mechanisms I use to avoid those fears.

Enneagram Book: The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile

3. Learn personal development and put it into practice

Knowledge doesn’t get you anywhere, your actions do. There are so many resources freely available for us to access anytime we need them. You can watch videos, read books, and listen to podcasts online. But nothing changes if you don’t make those changes. Listening to advice will get you nowhere if you’re not practicing what is being preached. Reading about 5 ways to overcome your self limiting mindset doesn’t magically make you overcome it, executing those 5 ways will.

4. Watch your language

Catch yourself when you begin to say things to yourself that you would never say to someone you love. This is a huge way to overcome a limiting mindset. You would never put limits on those around you. You only want the best for them, right? What makes you the exception? Why shouldn’t you deserve that as well? Treat yourself like someone you love. When you begin to speak in self limiting language, replace it with affirmations instead. Build yourself up rather than tear yourself down. Controlling the way you think/talk to your yourself is one of the greatest ways to overcome a limiting mindset.

5. Surround yourself with people who build you up

You cannot move forward if you have people holding you back.

I’m not saying to just ditch the people in your life, but if they are not supportive, don’t listen to the things they have to say. Still love them, but also find people who want to see you do great things and assist in getting you there. Have someone who not only encourages you but holds you accountable for the things you want to achieve. Having a community of people who are constantly working towards a healthier mindset and a better way of living is so important when you’re working on yourself. You will soon become saturated with affirmations and inspiration that overcoming your self limitations will come so much easier.