What do you do if your career is being held back by self-doubt and limiting beliefs?

When you want to make a change, it's tempting to look at the positive actions you might take first. For example, setting goals or visualising success. However, overlooking what is holding us back - is counterproductive. As a strengths based coach, it's tempting to overlook doubts and limiting beliefs, however as a psychotherapist it is where I always start. Limiting beliefs come from our childhoods, and are reinforced throughout our lives. So much of our family dynamics is played out in later life in our work environment, so it is the obvious place for us to get triggered. Working with a therapist and/or trauma informed coach, can be really helpful to break the negative cycle of limiting beliefs for good.

Limiting beliefs often get a bad reputation which is unhelpful. Writing down your doubts and limiting beliefs elevates them to a level of awareness where we can challenge them. Essentially.. We are now aware of what we were at one point unaware. I find writing down my limiting beliefs a joyous exercise, when, in the past, my thinking made it a depressing one. Reframing our thinking on limiting beliefs is key to consistently breaking them down and overcoming them.

Self-doubt is a pervasive force within us, capable of manifesting at any moment. Therefore, it's crucial to identify our self-doubt patterns and internal dialogue. Originating from our limiting beliefs, self-doubt undermines our progress by fostering uncertainty. Within our minds reside two factions: the saboteur and the sage, both nourished by the beliefs we cultivate. Hence, it's vital to ask ourselves: which one are we nurturing, and with what? If grappling with self-doubt, it's imperative to acknowledge it first, then seek support from a counselor or coach who can assist in transitioning from the sabotaging mindset to the empowering one, thus enabling us to move from good to great.

Delving into limiting beliefs is a complex world like opening a Pandora's box. Getting to the root of the belief, and a glimpse of where it comes from are critical for overcoming the negative hold these beliefs have on you. Working with a skilled professional is a safe and effective way to work through self-doubt, sabotage, and repeating patterns. Without knowing the root cause and exactly what the limiting belief is, you won't get the results that you desire, even if you are "doing all the right things". This only re-affirms the doubt and creates a vicious cycle. With the right tools, identifying and reframing these beliefs is possible.

Recognizing and understanding your doubts and beliefs is key to development and growth. Doing this in a space without judgement is so important. If you struggle with negativity then think of what you would say to friend who had these doubts!

Being curious is essential to challenging one’s beliefs. Asking “ is it true?” is the first step. Asking if the opposite is truer could be the second. Regardless, a belief is something you would argue with a friend to defend, whereas the truth is undeniable. Knowing they are not the same is often the first level of understanding necessary to overcome and challenge our beliefs. The book “ Loving What Is” by Byron Katie was my favorite book of 2019 as it helped me to do just that.

If you don’t think you’re good enough for the job, apply anyway. I always apply the loss aversion theory. You have nothing to lose by giving yourself a chance to learn something new and prove to yourself what you’re capable of.

Many self-doubts stem from limiting beliefs that clients hold about themselves or their abilities. As a coach, it's crucial to support them in challenging these beliefs by examining the evidence supporting them. Encourage clients to question the validity of their beliefs and explore alternative perspectives that may empower them by reframing. By challenging their limiting beliefs, clients can expand their perception of what's possible and cultivate a more positive self-image. This process of introspection and questioning is fundamental in overcoming self-doubt and fostering personal growth.

Writing down your limiting beliefs and thoughts and the way you formulate them is a very helpful experience. - Ask yourself are your beliefs absolutely true? - Can you absolutely know with 100% certainty,the thought/belief is true? - How does it make you feel? - Who would you be or how would you feel if you would not have this belief? - What is the realistic complete opposite of the limiting belief? These work very well for me and help me to think based on realistic practical beliefs, which I can build on. Credits go to clinical neuroscientist, board certified psychiatrist, brain imaging expert, Dr. Daniel G. Amen

Once you've identified what your limiting beliefs are, it's time to really look at them. Imagine you are preparing for a debate: Where are the holes in the arguments? Where are the falsehoods that are being put forth as fact? Where are the trends and patterns in the thinking that don't hold up? Use the responses to these questions to challenge the basic validity of the limiting beliefs and see what happens to them.

Limiting beliefs are only limiting to the extent they are getting in the way of goals. So, start to be clear in your goals. The more clarity you have there, the easier it is to see how limiting beliefs are holding you back, but also, how your goals attract limiting beliefs. In a way, if there are limiting beliefs present, perhaps it's those goals that are the most worth pursuing?

Sin un norte claro no sabes a donde llegarás. Puedes acercarte o alejarte y tú estarás sin control, pues no quieres asumirlo. Es como salir a tomar un bus, te paras en la estación y tomas el primer bus que llegue. No tienes la más mínima idea del destino. Cuanto te canses de estar sentado, te paras y te bajas. ¡Llegaste! pero no tienes idea de donde estás y claramente, no era a donde querías ir. Establece metas y objetivos claros, con tiempo establecido, formas de hacerlo que responde al cómo, con un propósito claro. La metodología SMART y GROW son espectacular para ayudarte.

El feedback es importante y más aún, la apertura para escucharla. Mejorar es parte del proceso de ser mejor cada día. La humildad para pedirla, procesarla y querer mejorar nuestras destrezas nos hace mejores para seguir ayudando a los demás, como parte de nuestra vocación.

Feedback from others can offer valuable insights and perspectives that challenge self-doubt and validate clients' capabilities. Encourage clients to seek feedback from trusted others- mentors, colleagues, or peers- who can provide constructive insights and support. Emphasize the importance of being open to feedback and using it as an opportunity for growth and development. By actively seeking feedback, clients can gain a more accurate understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement, boosting their confidence and self-assurance.

Identifica tus Creencias Limitantes, estas pueden incluir el miedo al rechazo, la preocupación por la crítica o la falta de confianza en tus habilidades. Dedica tiempo a trabajar en tu autoconfianza y autoestima. Reconoce tus logros y fortalezas, establece metas realistas y trabaja en desarrollar una mentalidad positiva y proactiva. Identifica personas de confianza en tu entorno laboral o personal con quienes puedas compartir tus inquietudes y buscar retroalimentación de manera constructiva. Busca mentores, colegas o amigos que te apoyen y te den feedback honesto. No esperes a que la retroalimentación llegue a ti de manera pasiva. Sé proactivo y busca oportunidades para recibir comentarios sobre tu desempeño, proyectos o habilidades.

Feeling held back by self-doubt and limiting beliefs in your career? Seek feedback! Embrace vulnerability and ask colleagues, mentors, or supervisors for constructive input. Their perspectives can provide clarity, highlight strengths, and guide you in overcoming obstacles. Remember, growth often begins outside your comfort zone.

El feedback una pieza clave para el desarrollo. Tiene el poder suficiente para realizar cambios estructurales y profundos siempre y cuando sea preciso, oportuno y basado en evidencia. Cuando tengas la oportunidad de dar feedback asegúrate de crear el espacio ideas y estar en estado correcto. Ademas de poner los marcos iniciales de forma muy clara. Recuerda cuando des feedback no se trata de dar tu opinión o un juicio y mucho menos una critica. Debemos cuidarnos de no confundir Juicios con Feedback son cosas muy diferentes y como profesionales debemos comprender estos aspectos. Debemos centrarnos en la fortaleza y luego en área de oportunidad siendo específicos.

Visualization is a powerful technique for overcoming self-doubt and reinforcing positive beliefs. Guide clients in visualizing themselves achieving their goals and experiencing success in various aspects of their lives. Include visualizing all the steps taken toward this. Encourage them to vividly imagine the emotions, sensations, and experiences associated with success. Our brain doesn't understand the difference between real and imaginary. Visualization helps rewire the brain by creating new neural pathways that support confidence and self-belief. By incorporating regular visualization practices into their routine, clients can cultivate a mindset of success and resilience, mitigating the impact of self-doubt on their journey.

Feeling held back by self-doubt and limiting beliefs in your career? It's time to visualize success. Picture yourself achieving your goals, overcoming obstacles, and thriving in your profession. By focusing on positive outcomes and believing in your abilities, you can break free from self-imposed limitations and unlock your full potential. Trust in yourself and your journey towards success.

I was once told a story about a type of antelope that, despite being able to jump over 5 feet up and 10 feet in distance, would not attempt to leap over a very low, very short brick wall. The wall, of course, represents the limiting belief. It's not an actual obstacle - but it is perceived as one. So much so that the antelope itself can not even picture itself getting over that wall, much less being on the other side of it. The only way this antelope is getting anywhere is by actually seeing it in the place it needs to get. Same thing applies to us.

If like me you struggle to visualise, I highly recommend image streaming. Set aside 10 minutes to visualise and as you do describe out loud what you imagine in as much detail as possible. To get used to this process you can start by imagining and describing things which you are used to seeing, perhaps a walk you take often, you home, a holiday or work. It will then be easier to imagine situations which have not happened yet in greater detail.

Learn more - not just about your own field, but about other fields and random things - things that you are genuinely interested in. Wanted to learn how to take photos? Take a course. Interested in creative writing? Get a book about it. Point being: learning is exploring and requires curiosity and getting outside of your comfort zone. And the more curious discomfort you can introduce into your day to day, the more likely you will gain confidence that you can make changes, get better at something, and broaden your horizons and options.

Feeling held back by self-doubt and limiting beliefs in your career? Embrace continuous learning as your ally! Challenge those doubts by acquiring new skills, seeking mentorship, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Every step forward is a triumph over uncertainty. Keep learning, keep growing, and watch your career soar! 🌟 #CareerGrowth #ContinuousLearning #OvercomingSelfDoubt

Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of personal and professional development, offering clients opportunities to expand their knowledge, skills, and perspectives. Encourage clients to embrace learning experiences through formal education, skill-building workshops, or self-directed study. By committing to continuous learning, clients can build confidence in their abilities and adaptability in navigating new challenges. Reinforce the idea that learning is a journey rather than a destination, and that each experience contributes to their growth and development. Be a role model by walking the talk in your own coaching journey!

Beliefs impact everything we do, even if we're not aware of it. Continue to be curious and if you are not taking action on a goal, ask yourself what must I believe that is impacting me to not take action? Be kind to yourself and try to understand what is going on, on a deeper level.

This is a very common experience, personally I have felt so. The first thing one needs to do is to pause and look into one’s self. Apply the following: Think Explore Examine Ask questions Don’t fear to engage with the unknown and unchartered space.

Take Small Steps: Break down your goals into manageable tasks and take action, even if you feel uncertain or fearful. Each small success reinforces your ability to overcome limiting beliefs. Challenge Comfort Zones: Push yourself outside your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities for growth. Disproving limiting beliefs often requires taking risks and trying new things. By actively challenging your limiting beliefs and replacing them with empowering thoughts, you can unlock your full potential and pursue your dreams with confidence and resilience.

When I'm helping my clients work towards goals, I ask them, what does the version of you who has achieved all of your goals believe about themselves, the world, what is possible for them? Create a list of new empowering beliefs you want to integrate into your mind and commit to repeating them to yourself everyday for 30 days to reprogram your unconscious mind.

Self doubts arise when there is a lack of knowledge and experience. One needs to acknowledge self doubt and understand,learn more and clear the limiting beliefs that are stopping the career advancement. Being a continuous learner makes one self in track of the advancements that are happening in the respective field. And hence there will not be any place for self doubt. One must set goals according to their skill level and once they have advanced their skills can they re think and set higher goals so that no self doubt or inner voice can through them off track.