When people come to me for life coaching they often have self-limiting beliefs about their own capabilities. Self-limiting beliefs are easy to spot if you know what you are looking for. They often start with a statement about something somebody thinks they cannot do and go on to use the word ‘because’.

“I can’t lose weight because my family are all over weight”

“I can’t get that job because I’m not well qualified enough”

“I can’t learn to speak Spanish because I’m too old”

These beliefs do not help us at all; in fact their only purpose in life is to hold us back. They are what they are, self-limiting. The good news is that they are fairly easy to beat and benevolent chap that I am, I’m going to give you one of the methods I use. Look, if you want more, high a life coach! Me for example

Firstly you need to uncover one of the nasty suckers so we can work on it. Think of something you would like to achieve such as losing weight, starting a new business, giving up smoking, getting fitter etc. Then think of why you believe it isn’t possible and lets start to ridicule that belief, in a nice and cuddly way of course.

We are going to undermine that belief in any way we can.

Firstly, look for examples of when you have achieved what you think you no longer can. Think really hard about this, it doesn’t need to be exactly the same thing, just similar. So, if you think you can’t lose weight because you have no will-power look for examples when you have shown will power. That way you know you have some and it’s just a matter of tapping into it. If you can’t think of any example (unlikely unless it is something REALLY tough) where you have had some success, look to others. Have there been examples of people starting a new business aged 55 or quitting smoking at 70 or getting a great job without a degree? If the answer is yes, then it can be done and if it can be done then you can do it! Stop it, you can. I’m a life coach listen to me I know what I’m talking about…..sometimes.

The most successful people model others and use their experience to short cut their way to the top. You can do that. Ask questions, get e mentor, read books, copy successful people etc.

All this process is designed to do is break the belief, nothing more, nothing less. If you believe you can’t do something then in all likelihood you can’t. When you remove a self-limiting belief you are then on your way to achieving whatever it is you want to achieve. When you believe something is possible you will be infinitely more likely to just go for it and succeed and I can’t emphasize that enough.

So, what are you waiting for? Smash that belief and just go for it

Tim Brownson is a qualified English born Life Coach, NLP Master Practitioner and Hypnotherapist. He is based just outside Orlando, Florida but coaches people all over the US and UK. His time is split between telephone and face-to-face coaching helping people fulfill their potential and get more out of life. He can be contacted via http://www.adaringadventure.com