10 Common Self-Limiting Beliefs and How to Overcome Them

Overcoming the Top 10 Self-Limiting Beliefs That Hold You Back

We all have that inner voice—the one that tells us we’re not smart enough, or capable enough to reach our goals.

Every dream you have is immediately met with a wall of resistance. That wall is made up of beliefs—self-limiting beliefs—that whisper to you, “You’re not good enough” or “It’s too late to try.” It’s the fear of failure, the fear of judgment, the fear of stepping into the unknown.

But here’s the kicker: These beliefs are nothing but stories we’ve convinced ourselves are true. They’re built on fear, and guess what? Fear is manageable. The good news is, once you’re aware of these beliefs, you can work through them. In fact, you’ve already taken the first step just by being curious enough to read this post.

Let’s break down the 10 most common self-limiting beliefs, where they come from, and how to overcome them.

1. “I’m not good enough.”

Where It Comes From:

This is one of the most common and sneaky beliefs, that doesn’t come from some universal truth about your abilities—it comes from fear. Fear of not measuring up. Fear of judgment. Fear that, deep down, you’re not enough. It often comes from early experiences where you were criticized or compared to others, leaving you feeling inadequate or unworthy. But here’s the secret: it’s only in our heads.

How to Overcome It:
You are already good enough. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about progress. The mere fact that you’ve recognized this belief means you’re ready to confront it. Start by practicing awareness—acknowledge when the thought creeps in and ask yourself: Is this really true? Remind yourself that competence is built over time. Practice, repetition, and growth are the antidotes to self-doubt. You’ve just taken the first step: awareness. Now, move forward.

2. “I don’t have enough time.”

Where It Comes From:
This belief arises when the demands of life feel overwhelming, or when we fear we won’t be able to handle everything that’s on our plate. It’s rooted in scarcity—there’s not enough time to do everything, so I can’t do anything.

How to Overcome It:
The key here is prioritization. Time is just a resource, and the more you learn to manage it, the more you realize you actually have plenty. Time-blocking and scheduling are your allies. By focusing on just one task at a time, you get out of the “I’m overwhelmed” mode and into a “let’s tackle this” mode. You may not be able to do everything, but you can always do something.

3. “I’m too old to change.”

Where It Comes From:
This belief comes from the stories we tell ourselves about age. Society tells us that after a certain point, we should “settle down” and stop trying new things. But the truth is, age is just a number—it’s the fear of being left behind that fuels this belief.

How to Overcome It:
The most successful people didn’t let age define them. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Think of all the people who have changed careers, started businesses, or picked up new hobbies later in life. Change doesn’t have an age limit—only your willingness to embrace it. The moment you decide you’re ready to change, you’re already on your way. It’s not about age—it’s about attitude.

4. “I don’t have the right resources.”

Where It Comes From:
We’ve all said it at some point: “If only I had more money, more time, more connections, I could succeed.” This belief comes from a feeling of inadequacy and the fear that we need more than we have in order to get started. It’s rooted in the idea of scarcity—there’s not enough, so I can’t do anything.

How to Overcome It:
You have enough. The internet is full of free resources, and so is your own mind. If you feel like you’re missing something, get resourceful. Start with what you have. Make do. Ask for help. The most successful people are those who’ve learned how to make the most out of what’s available to them. You don’t need to have everything to start—you just need the willingness to move forward, one step at a time.

5. “I’ll fail if I try.”

Where It Comes From:
This belief is rooted in the fear of failure. It’s the fear that if you put yourself out there, you’ll fall short—and that failure will define you. The truth is, failure is a necessity for growth. If you’re not failing, you’re not learning.

How to Overcome It:
Reframe failure as feedback. Each time you fail, you’re learning, improving, and getting closer to where you want to be. The key is not to avoid failure, but to embrace it. Start small, fail fast, and use the lessons from your failures to improve. You don’t need to be perfect to start—you just need to begin.

6. “I’m not as talented as others.”

Where It Comes From:
Comparison is the thief of joy. This belief comes from looking at someone else’s success and thinking you’re not good enough because you don’t have the same talents. But the reality is, no one starts out as a genius. Talent is honed through consistent effort and practice.

How to Overcome It:
Stop comparing. Start practicing. Talent isn’t innate—it’s developed. The more time and energy you put into improving a skill, the more talented you’ll become. Focus on your journey, not someone else’s. You don’t need to be “better” than anyone—you just need to keep getting better than you were yesterday.

7. “I don’t deserve success.”

Where It Comes From:
This belief often stems from low self-esteem or past experiences where you felt unworthy of love, recognition, or success. It’s a belief that says, “I’m not good enough to deserve great things.” The truth is, you deserve success just as much as anyone else.

How to Overcome It:
Start practicing self-compassion. Speak to yourself like you would speak to a friend who’s struggling. You wouldn’t tell them they don’t deserve success—you’d encourage them, right? Do the same for yourself. Success isn’t about “deserving it”—it’s about being open to the possibility of achieving it. You are worthy, and you are ready.

8. “I need to be perfect.”

Where It Comes From:
Perfectionism is rooted in fear—the fear of judgment, the fear of being rejected, the fear that if it’s not perfect, it’s not good enough. The truth is, perfection is an illusion. There is no such thing as perfect—there is only progress.

How to Overcome It:
Aim for progress, not perfection. Start by embracing imperfection as part of the process. The world doesn’t need you to be perfect—it needs you to be authentic, real, and willing to show up, mistakes and all. Start before you’re ready, and trust that you’ll improve as you go.

9. “I’m not ready yet.”

Where It Comes From:
This belief comes from the fear of not being “fully prepared.” We think we need more knowledge, more experience, or a perfect plan before we can take action. But the truth is, readiness is a myth—the only way to get ready is to start.

How to Overcome It:
Take action anyway. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—it’ll never come. Start with one small step, and learn as you go. Every action you take builds momentum and gives you the experience you need to get better. It’s not about waiting until you’re “ready” it’s about getting started, no matter what.

10. “I’ll never be able to change.”

Where It Comes From:
This belief often comes from past failures or entrenched habits that feel too hard to break. It’s the fear that change is too difficult and that we’re “stuck” in our old ways.

How to Overcome It:
Change isn’t a single event—it’s a process. Start by identifying one small habit you want to change and focus on that. Don’t try to change everything at once. Every small shift, every tiny victory, is a step toward transformation. The truth is, you’ve changed before, and you can change again. You just have to start.

Stop Holding Yourself Back! Do This Practical Steps to Conquer Limiting Beliefs

Self-limiting beliefs are just stories we tell ourselves. They’re rooted in fear, but fear isn’t the enemy—it’s simply a signal that we’re stepping into new territory. The trick is not to avoid fear, but to move through it. Mistakes, failures, and challenges are all part of the process—they are the very things that will propel you forward.

So, just believe—Break the Chains of Fear and you’ll see that your potential is limitless. Your potential is already within you. You just have to trust it.