Limiting Beliefs: Why You’re Stuck and How to Smash the ‘Impossible’
All progress feels impossible until you prove it isn’t: Break free from impossible thinking
Break free from ‘impossible’ thinking.
Let me start with a little reminder: the phrase “That’s impossible!” has aged worse than milk left out in a heatwave.
Remember the first time someone told you, “That’s impossible”?
Like trying to train a goldfish to fetch a stick.
Whether it was your grand plan to juggle flaming bowling pins or simply saying you’d do something big, that phrase has a knack for sticking around like a bad smell in a small lift.
Maybe it was when you tried to balance three ice cream cones in one hand.
Or when you said you’d run your own business someday.
Either way, that phrase has the staying power of a clingy ex who shows up uninvited — except this one lives rent-free in your brain.
Seriously, history is littered with examples of people confidently declaring something can’t be done — and then watching someone else roll up, do it, and make it look easy.
Splitting the atom?
“Never gonna happen!” they said.
Going to the moon?
“You’re mad!”
Curing smallpox?
“Too complex!”
Building quantum computers?
“Pfft, sure, and pigs will fly!”
Guess what?
The pigs are airborne.
Turns out, every “That’s impossible” was a stepping stone to something extraordinary.
Now, the only thing standing between you and your version of “pigs flying” is that little voice in your head saying, “Nah, you can’t.”
Let’s talk about that.
What’s the lesson here?
Simple: when you believe something’s impossible, you’re already halfway to making sure it stays that way.
Welcome to the world of limiting beliefs — those sneaky little bastards in your brain that convince you life’s best things aren’t meant for you.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
The mental chains holding you back
Limiting beliefs are like invisible handcuffs on your potential — except these cuffs come with a sarcastic little voice that says, ‘Don’t bother, mate, you’re not Houdini.’ you’re the one holding the key.
They tell you that you’re not smart enough, talented enough, good-looking enough, or just plain enough to achieve what you want.
Want to start that dream business?
Your brain chimes in: “Business? You can’t even manage your sock drawer.”Thinking about asking that person out?
“Why bother? They’ll probably laugh so hard they pull a muscle.”Hoping to pursue a passion?
“Oh, sure. And while you’re at it, why not solve world hunger?” “You’ll just fail and embarrass yourself.”
The result?
You stop before you even begin.
Sound familiar?
These thoughts aren’t truths.
They’re the mental equivalent of fake news, and yet, they’re ridiculously effective at keeping you stuck
You’re stuck in a self-imposed prison of “can’t” without ever testing the lock.
The questions you’re asking
Why do I believe this crap in the first place?
Because our brains are like overprotective parents — constantly trying to shield us from failure, embarrassment, and risk.
Every time you’ve tripped up or been laughed at, your mind has taken notes and built a fortress of “Nope, never doing that again!” around you.But what if I fail?
Let’s flip this: what if you don’t?
Seriously, what if you try and it’s the greatest thing you’ve ever done?
Even if you do fail, what’s the worst-case scenario?
Embarrassment?
Big whoop.
Nobody’s handing out Oscars for ‘Most Mortifying Moment of the Year’.How do I know if it’s a limiting belief or a real limitation?
Great question!
Here’s the test: is there actual evidence proving you can’t do it, or is it just that voice in your head?
If it’s the latter, congrats — you’ve got yourself a limiting belief.
Rewiring your mindset for success
Here’s the truth you’ve been avoiding: that little voice in your head is full of shit.
It’s not trying to protect you from failure — it’s trying to protect itself from change.
Your brain loves comfort zones like a cat loves a sunny spot — it’ll twist itself into the mental equivalent of a pretzel just to stay there, purring contentedly and pretending progress is a bad dream.
But progress?
That lives on the other side of discomfort.
The difference between people who achieve the impossible and those who don’t?
They call out the bullshit, question their beliefs, and push forward anyway.
Your step-by-step guide to freedom
Step 1: Call Out the Bullshit
Write down every limiting belief you have.
Go on, get brutal.
I’ll wait…
Then challenge each one: Is there actual proof, or is this just fear in a clever disguise?
Step 2: Look for Evidence to the Contrary
Ever notice how we’re so good at remembering our failures but conveniently forget our wins?
It’s time to dig up your success stories.
Remind yourself of all the times you thought, “No way I’m pulling this off,” and then you did.
Take each belief and rewrite it as its opposite. For example:
Original: “I’m too old to start something new.”
Rewrite: “My experience gives me a unique edge to succeed.”
Step 3: Find Evidence
Think back to times you succeeded when you thought you wouldn’t.
Your brain loves to hoard failure stories but conveniently “loses” the wins. Dig them up.
Step 4: Borrow Someone Else’s Courage
Look at people who’ve done what you’re scared to try.
Use their stories as proof that it’s possible. (Bonus points if you find someone with fewer resources or tougher odds who still crushed it.)
Step 5: Take the Smallest Possible Step
You don’t have to tackle the whole mountain today.
Just take the next step — no matter how small.
Momentum builds confidence.
Confidence dismantles limiting beliefs.
You don’t have to leap; just take one step forward.
One email.
One call.
One post.
Momentum is like gaffer tape for your self-doubt — it keeps the cracks from spreading while you bulldoze through anyway.
The benefits of busting through
So, what’s waiting for you on the other side of those limiting beliefs?
Oh, just freedom, confidence, and opportunities waving like overly enthusiastic fans at a sports match — waiting for you to notice them.
Freedom: Once you break through one belief, the mental shackles are gone, and you realise how much of your life has been ruled by fear.
Confidence: Each little victory chips away at the wall of self-doubt and strengthens your belief in what’s possible.
Possibilities: When you stop telling yourself what you can’t do, you’ll discover what you can do.
It’s a lot.
When you stop telling yourself no, the universe stops saying it, too.Better Mental Health: Limiting beliefs are stressful and exhausting as hell.
Breaking them is like giving your brain a much-needed spa day.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Let’s be real for a second.
What’s the absolute worst-case scenario if you go after what you want?
Most of the time, it’s not nearly as catastrophic as you’ve built it up to be in your head.
You won’t die of humiliation.
Nobody’s going to chase you down the street with pitchforks.
Life will go on.
And you might just find it’s better than you imagined.
Your next step to break free
Here’s your homework: Pick one limiting belief and tackle it today.
Not tomorrow.
Not “when you’re ready.”
Today.
Because ready is a myth, and progress doesn’t wait for perfect timing.
And if you need a little more help smashing those mental roadblocks, sign up for the (UN)BROKEN.
It’s like having a motivational coach, a sarcasm dealer, and a bullshit-calling best friend rolled into one.
Don’t miss out.
Now, go out there and make the impossible happen.
Because pigs aren’t just flying; they’re skywriting your name.
Final thoughts
Limiting beliefs are like ghosts — scary, but only because they’re in your head.
Once you face them, you’ll realise they don’t have any real power.
Progress is impossible until you make it possible.
So go on.
Take the step.
Break the belief.
Prove yourself wrong.
Oh, and if you need a little more encouragement (or a lot more sarcasm), sign up for the (UN)BROKEN.
Because who doesn’t want a weekly dose of life-altering brilliance and mind-bending wit delivered straight to their inbox?
You’re welcome.
I’m off to teach my goldfish to play fetch.