Many of us know exactly what we want, but something keeps holding us back. Today, we’re going to tackle the invisible barriers that might be standing between you and your dream life – your limiting beliefs.
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are those persistent thoughts that tell you what you can’t do, can’t have, or can’t be. They’re the little voice that says “but…” every time you dream big. The tricky part? Most of us don’t even realize we’re carrying these beliefs around. They feel like facts, when really, they’re just stories we’ve learned to tell ourselves.
Let’s break down the five most common limiting beliefs I see holding ambitious women back – and more importantly, how to overcome them.
1. “I Need to Have Everything Figured Out Before I Start”
This is the perfectionist’s favorite limiting belief, and I get it. When you’re used to excelling in structured environments (hello, education system and corporate world), the messy middle of building your dream life can feel uncomfortable.
How it shows up:
- Endless research without taking action
- Waiting for the “perfect time” to start
- Collecting certifications you don’t need yet
- Constantly revising your plans without implementing them
How to overcome it:
- Start with a “Version 1.0” mindset
- Set learning goals instead of perfection goals
- Create 90-day experiment periods
- Document your progress to see how far you’ve come
Action Step: Choose one small aspect of your dream life and implement it imperfectly this week. Want location freedom? Work from a local café for one day. Want financial freedom? Start that $100 side project.
2. “Someone Else Is Already Doing It Better”
Ah, the comparison trap. Social media makes it especially easy to fall into this one. You see someone living what looks like your dream life and think, “Why bother? They’ve got it covered.”
How it shows up:
- Constantly comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle
- Feeling like the market is too saturated
- Thinking you need a completely unique idea
- Waiting to be “special enough” to start
How to overcome it:
- Remember: Your unique perspective is your advantage
- Study successful people in your field – they likely started where you are
- Keep a “wins” folder of your own progress
- Focus on serving rather than competing
Action Step: Write down three unique experiences, perspectives, or skills you bring to your field. How can these help you serve your audience or market differently?
3. “I Don’t Have Enough Money/Time/Resources to Start”
This belief often masquerades as practicality, making it particularly sneaky. While resources matter, waiting for “enough” often means waiting forever.
How it shows up:
- “I’ll start when I have $X in savings”
- “I need to quit my job first”
- “I can’t afford to invest in myself right now”
- “I’ll focus on this when life is less busy”
How to overcome it:
- Start with what you have
- Find creative ways to maximize your current resources
- Build systems to create more time
- Focus on high-impact, low-resource activities first
Action Step: List three ways you could move toward your dream life with zero additional resources. Then, identify one resource you actually need and create a specific plan to acquire it.
4. “What Will People Think?”
This belief is especially powerful for women, who are often socialized to prioritize others’ opinions. The fear of judgment can keep us playing small.
How it shows up:
- Hiding your goals from friends and family
- Downplaying your ambitions
- Feeling guilty about wanting more
- Worrying about being seen as “too much”
How to overcome it:
- Build a supportive community
- Practice sharing your goals gradually
- Focus on the impact you want to make
- Remember: Critics aren’t in the arena
Action Step: Share one goal publicly – either in our comments section, with a friend, or on social media. Start building your courage muscle.
5. “I’m Not Ready/Qualified/Expert Enough”
The expertise paradox: you feel you need more experience to start, but you can only get experience by starting.
How it shows up:
- Impostor syndrome
- Over-preparing
- Discounting your current knowledge
- Focusing on formal credentials over real-world experience
How to overcome it:
- Start documenting your journey
- Focus on being one step ahead of those you help
- Collect evidence of your current expertise
- Take inventory of your life experience
Action Step: Make a list of 20 things you know about your field/dream. You’ll be surprised at how much expertise you already have.
Breaking Free: Your Next Steps
- Identify: Which of these limiting beliefs resonates most strongly with you?
- Challenge: What evidence do you have that this belief might not be true?
- Replace: Create a new, empowering belief to replace the limiting one
- Act: Take one small action that proves your new belief true
Your Turn
In the comments below, share:
- Which limiting belief has been holding you back the most?
- What’s one action you’re committing to take this week to challenge it?
Remember: Your limiting beliefs are not facts. They’re stories you can choose to rewrite. Your dream life is on the other side of these beliefs, and you’ve already taken the first step by becoming aware of them.