What Are Self Limiting Words: Most Common Verbal Enemies

Do you ever feel like you're your own worst enemy? That's because you just might be. But don't let it get you down - we all are, to some extent.

We all have a voice in our heads that tells us what we can and can't do. This voice might or might not have a name, but it is associated with self-limiting thoughts. These thoughts prevent us from achieving our goals and reaching our full potential.

In this article, we will discuss the most common self-limiting words and how to overcome them! Moreover,  we'll provide some helpful tips on how to prevent self-limitation in the future.

So, without further ado, let's get started - keep reading and discover so much more about your self limiting words.

Why Our Brain Loves to Say NO: You'll Be Surprised

Did you know that your brain has an entire part dedicated to saying no (among other things)? It's called the reticular activating system (RAS).

The RAS is responsible for filtering out all of the unnecessary information that comes our way every day. This is why we can walk and talk simultaneously without thinking about it.

However, this part of the brain can also become overactive and start to filter out information that we need. This is when self-limiting thoughts take over, and we start to believe that we can't do something.

The good news is that we can retrain our brains to focus on the positive and ignore the negative. This will allow us to achieve our goals and reach our full potential!

Here's a list of the most famous self-limiting words and thoughts you might have:

1: I’m Not Good Enough

This is probably the most common self-limiting thought that people have. It can be applied to any area of life, whether it's your job, relationships, or hobbies.

If you believe you're not good enough, you'll never try to improve or learn new things. You'll just stay where you are and never reach your full potential.

To overcome this self-limiting belief, start by accepting yourself for who you are. Then, set realistic goals and challenge yourself to reach them!

2: I Don’t Have Enough Time

This is another common self-limiting thought that can prevent us from achieving our goals. If we believe we don't have enough time, we'll never start anything new or challenging.

To overcome this belief, start by making a list of your priorities. Then, schedule time for the things that are most important to you. You might be surprised at how much time you have!

3: I Can’t Do It

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from even trying. If we believe we can't do something, we'll never know if we actually can.

To overcome this belief, start by breaking down your goal into smaller steps. Then, take it one step at a time and celebrate your progress along the way!

4: It’s Too Hard

This is another self-limiting thought that can prevent us from even starting. If we believe that something is too hard, we'll never try to do it.

Things can be hard but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. To overcome this belief, start by taking it one step at a time. Then, ask for help when you need it and don't be afraid to fail!

5: I Don’t Know How

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from learning new things. If we believe we don't know how to do something, we'll never try to learn.

To overcome this belief, start by doing some research, any research. Then, ask for help when you need it and be willing to put in the work.

6: It’s Not Worth It

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from taking risks. If we believe that something isn't worth it, we'll never try to do it.

This belief is very devious.

Is it not worth it to try? Then what's the point of life? We should always be taking risks and trying new things!

To overcome this belief, start by evaluating what you have to gain from taking the risk. Evaluate what others have to gain from you becoming better. Then, take a deep breath and go for it!

7: I Can’t Change

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from growing and evolving. If we believe we can't change, we'll never try to improve.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that you can change. Then, set realistic goals and challenge yourself to reach them! You might be surprised at how much you can change if you set your mind to it!

8: It’s Not Fair

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from being happy. If we believe that life isn't fair, we'll always be disappointed.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that life isn't fair. Then, focus on the things that you're grateful for and challenge yourself to find the good in every situation!

9: I’m Not Deserving

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from achieving our goals. If we believe that we're not deserving, we'll never try to achieve anything.

You are very deserving! It can be hard to believe that, but it's true! To overcome this belief, start by finding out who you are at the core. Imperfect, but very capable.

10: I Am Afraid to Fail

I am afraid to fail. This is a self-limiting thought that I have been struggling with for years. It has held me back from pursuing my dreams and goals. I'm tired of living in fear, and I'm ready to make a change.

You shouldn't let your self-limiting thoughts control my life any longer. You should take risks and pursue your dreams. I encourage you to do the same. Don't let your self-limiting thoughts keep you from living your best life.

11: I Don’t Want to Be Judged

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from being our true selves. If we're afraid of being judged, we'll never be able to show the world who we really are.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that you will be judged no matter what. Then, focus on living your life for yourself and not for others! You'll be much happier when you're living authentically.

12: I Don’t Know How to Start

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from taking the first step. If we don't know how to start, we'll never get anywhere.

To overcome this belief, start by doing some research and planning. Then, take the first step, and don't look back! You'll be surprised at how easy it is to keep going once you start.

13: I Don’t Need to Grow

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from reaching our full potential. If we don't believe we need to grow, we'll never challenge ourselves to improve.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that everyone has room to grow. Then, set some goals for yourself and challenge yourself to reach them!

14: I Don’t Want to Make Mistakes

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from learning and expanding our horizons. If we're afraid of making mistakes, we'll never try new things.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that mistakes are a part of life. Then, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and learn something new!

15: I Feel Alone

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from connecting with others. If we believe we're alone, we'll never reach out and build relationships.

To overcome this belief, start by reaching out to others and building connections. Then, focus on the positive relationships in your life and be grateful for them! You'll find that you're not alone after all.

16: I Am Hopeless

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from finding hope. If we believe we're hopeless, we'll never try to improve our situation.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that things can always improve.

Then, focus on the things in your life that bring you joy and hope! You'll be surprised at how much hope you have when you look for it.

17: What’s the Point?

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from finding meaning in life. If we believe that there's no point, we'll never try to make a difference.

To overcome this belief, start by finding things that bring you joy and purpose. Then, focus on making a positive impact in the world! You'll be surprised at how much of a difference you can make when you set your mind to it.

18: The Past Has Power Over Me

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from living in the present. If we believe that the past has power over us, we'll never be able to move on.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that the past is in the past. Then, focus on living in the present and making the most of it! You'll be surprised at how much better you feel when you let go of your baggage.

19: I Don’t Trust Anyone

This is a self-limiting thought that can prevent us from building relationships. If we don't trust anyone, we'll never let anyone get close to us.

To overcome this belief, start by finding people who you can trust. Then, focus on building relationships with those people! You'll be surprised at how much better you feel when you let people in.

20: I Am Trapped

This is a self-limiting idea that can prevent us from finding freedom. If we believe that we're trapped, we'll never try to break free.

To overcome this belief, start by accepting that you have the power to change your situation. Then, focus on taking action and making the changes you want to see! You'll be surprised at how much better you feel when you take control of your life.

21: I Am a Victim

This is a self-limiting belief that can prevent us from finding empowerment. If we believe that we're victims, we'll never try to take control of our lives.

Playing the victim card will only get you so far. If you want to take control of your life, start by accepting that you're not a victim. Become a leader and take charge! You'll be surprised at how much better you feel when you're in control.

22: I Am Powerless

This is a self-limiting phrase that can prevent us from finding our own strength. If we believe that we're powerless, we'll never try to stand up for ourselves.

Power comes from power In order to find our own strength, we must first accept that we're powerful. Then, we can focus on taking action and making the changes we want to see! You'll be surprised at how empowering it feels to take control of your life.

Why Some of These Self Limiting Words Are Constant?

These self-limiting words are constant because humans are creatures of habit. We tend to believe the same things repeatedly, even if those beliefs are harmful.

To overcome this, start by recognizing the self-limiting thoughts that you have. Then, focus on changing those thoughts into positive ones! The recommendation for each are wishy-washy, but they are effective when you get to the point of being ready to change.

Your desire to change must exceed your desire to remain the same. When that happens, you'll be surprised at how quickly your self-limiting words will begin to disintegrate. And when they're gone, you'll wonder why you ever believed them in the first place!

If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of negative self-talk, remember that you can change. It is only by taking responsibility for them that you can start to change the self-limiting words in your life.

Are Self Limiting Words the Same As Self Limiting Behaviors?

Not necessarily, but they are often related. Self-limiting words are the negative thoughts that we have about ourselves, while self-limiting behaviors are the actions that we take (or don't take) as a result of those thoughts.

For example, if you tell yourself that you're not good enough, you might start to believe it. As a result, you might not apply for that job or go on that date. That's a self-limiting behavior.

Alternatively, if you tell yourself that you are good enough, you might start to believe it. As a result, you might apply for that job or go on that date! That's an empowering behavior.

We have primarily two modes of thought: constructive and deconstructive thinking.

Albeit, they are antithetical to each other, it doesn't mean that one is good and the other bad. They are just different, and it's essential to be aware of both to choose which one to focus on.

Self-limiting words are often a result of deconstructive thinking. This is the type of thinking that tears something (or someone) down. It's based on fear, insecurity, and self-doubt.

On the other hand, constructive thinking is based on love, confidence, and self-assurance. This is the type of thinking that builds something (or someone) up.

It's important to note that we all have both types of thoughts; it's just a matter of which ones we focus on. The more we focus on the positive, the more positive our lives will become!

So, if you want to change your self-limiting words, you must change as a whole. You cannot remain the same without self-limiting words and behaviors. It takes an entirely new person to have new experiences.

Can People Really Change?

Of course! People change all the time. We are constantly growing and evolving. The only thing that stays the same is change itself!

Every cell in your body cycles through a process of growth, death, and regeneration. So, if your cells can change, why can't you?

In science, it is believed that every 2 years, our cells completely regenerate. So, in a way, we are entirely new people every couple of years!

The same applies to our thoughts and behaviors. We are not stuck with the same self-limiting words forever. We can change them at any time! All it takes is a little effort and determination.

If you're not happy with where you are in life, it's never too late to make a change. All it takes is a little bit of effort and a whole lot of desire. Trust me; if you want it, you can make it happen!

Take some time to think about the self-limiting words in your life. What are they preventing you from doing? Once you identify them, start working on changing them.

Self Limitation Doesn't Have to Be Your Nature

Self-limitation doesn't have to be your nature. Just because you've been telling yourself negative things for years doesn't mean you have to continue doing so.

You can change your self-limiting words at any time! All it takes is a little bit of effort and a whole lot of desire.

If this article has helped you somehow, please share it with others who might benefit from reading it. Also, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

Check out this other blog I wrote about self-limiting behaviors and beliefs.