How to Get Rid of Limiting Beliefs

Learning how to get rid of limiting beliefs starts with a simple but powerful idea: you are not your thoughts. Especially the ones that quietly hold you back.

Limiting beliefs are assumptions you’ve accepted as truth. They tell you what you can’t do, who you can’t be, and what isn’t possible even when none of it is based in fact. The good news is, once you learn to identify them, you can start to challenge and change them.

In this article, we’ll walk through how to get rid of limiting beliefs step-by-step, with clear examples and practical strategies. If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back and start moving forward, you’re in the right place.

What are limiting beliefs?

Before you can get rid of limiting beliefs, you have to know what they are. In short, limiting beliefs are untrue but convincing thoughts that limit your potential. They can sound like:

• “I’ll never be good with money.”
• “I’m not the kind of person who could do that.”
• “No one in my family has ever been successful.”
• “I always mess things up.”

These thoughts often operate in the background. You might not even notice them, but they’re shaping your choices, behaviors, and outcomes.

Want more real-life, relatable examples? Check out this list of 101 limiting beliefs examples.

How we get limiting beliefs

Nobody is born thinking they’re not good enough. Limiting beliefs come from your environment — things you were told directly, things you picked up by watching others, or messages you absorbed from school, media, or culture.

Think of your mind like a blank slate. Over time, repeated messages and patterns form grooves, and your thoughts tend to follow those same paths unless you actively shift them.

For example:

• If you were praised only for being “smart,” you might avoid risks to protect that label.
• If money was always tight growing up, you might believe that financial success isn’t for people like you.

These beliefs often seem like facts, but they’re just habits of thought.

Why getting rid of limiting beliefs matters

Limiting beliefs can create blind spots, stop you from trying new things, and even affect your mental health. They often lead to:

• Self-sabotage
• Impostor syndrome
• Procrastination
• Fear of failure (or fear of success)
• Low confidence or self-worth

They can also compound. For instance, if you believe you’ll never be financially successful, you may avoid applying for promotions, starting a business, or learning new skills — keeping you stuck.

How to get rid of limiting beliefs

1. Recognize the belief

Pay attention to thoughts that start with “I can’t,” “I’m not,” “I always,” or “I never.” These phrases often signal limiting beliefs.

Ask yourself:

• Is this always true?
• Where did I first hear this?
• What evidence do I have that supports or challenges this belief?

2. Name the source

Once you’ve spotted the belief, try to trace it back. Did it come from a parent? A teacher? A past experience?

Understanding the source can help you separate the belief from your identity.

3. Challenge the thought

Treat the belief like a theory, not a fact. Look for counterexamples. If you think “I’m not creative,” ask: Have I ever come up with a good idea? Do I enjoy solving problems in unique ways?

4. Replace it with a better belief

Once you’ve poked holes in the limiting belief, replace it with something more empowering and realistic. Not false positivity — but a useful truth.

Instead of “I’ll never be successful,” try:

• “I’m still learning what success looks like for me.”
• “I can take small steps toward my goals.”

5. Repeat it until it sticks

Your brain builds new thought patterns through repetition. That means you may need to remind yourself of the new belief often — especially when the old one shows up.

Try:

• Writing it down
• Saying it out loud
• Using it as a screensaver, note, or phone reminder

You’re already doing the work

Just by reading this, you’re starting to shift. Most people live with limiting beliefs their whole life without ever questioning them. By learning to notice and challenge them, you’ve already taken the hardest step.

Next steps

Limiting beliefs aren’t fixed. They’re mental habits that can be changed.

To keep going:

• Bookmark this guide for reference
• Read through 101 Examples of Limiting Beliefs
• Learn more in What Are Limiting Beliefs
• Get the book: Big Think: Empowered Thoughts on Amazon

You have more power than you think. And you’re already using it.