Crush Self Limiting Beliefs With These 2 Gratitude Habits
Over the past several decades, the topic of limiting beliefs has been extensively researched, written about, and addressed by psychologists and life coaches. Yet, with all the knowledge we have about self limiting beliefs, we all still struggles with them.
What exactly are limiting beliefs? “They’re the perceptions and thoughts you have about yourself, others, and the world. And they’re self-limiting because these perceptions and thoughts are preventing you from doing something that you’re actually quite capable of doing (even though you don’t think you are!),” Melanie McNally explains.
For example, you are stuck in a job you hate. The work is repetitive or maybe it is enjoyable on some level, but you’re not making enough money to justify staying in that role. So, you want to pursue a career that gives you the following: A bigger income, more enjoyment, a committed team, and better work/life balance. You have the skills and the resources available to pursue further training, yet you worry about failing. Your fear of failure is so great that you end up giving up on the idea of change and you stay put where you’re at.
Fear of failure is real because failure itself is real. Everyone fails at something at some point or another in life, but the worst failure you can experience is to stay stuck in a role that no longer serves you.
Change happens when the pain of not having the career or business you most want becomes too great to ignore a day longer. However, the first step you can take in your transform is to acknowledge your limiting beliefs and identify where they come from. Limiting beliefs can arise from anything, but most often if not always, they come from a past negative experience, be it a toxic relationship or other life altering event.
The questions that need to be asked: What good does it do me to let this person or experience still dominate my thoughts and hold me back? What will happen if I don’t pursue my dream job or start that business I’ve been wanting to start for several years now?
Once you acknowledge, identity, and confront those limiting beliefs you will begin to experience a genuine transformation. Getting yourself into a daily routine of practicing gratitude will further help shift your mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance.
In a most recent study on the neuroscience of gratitude and it’s effects on the brain published on Positive Psychology, Melissa Madeson, Ph.D. provides the following key insights.
· The neuroscience of gratitude shows it activates brain regions associated with reward, enhancing feelings of contentment & emotional wellbeing.
· Regular practice of gratitude can lead to long-term positive changes in the brain, supporting mental health & resilience.
These facts prove the importance of gratitude and how practicing gratitude daily will eliminate self limiting beliefs.
Here are two gratitude habits you can adopt and make your daily ritual starting today.
1. Journaling
Simple exercises like keeping a gratitude journal can improve mood, increase empathy and strengthen social bonds (Melissa Madeson, PositivePsychology.com).
This explains why journaling is so powerful. A gratitude journal compels you to think about all of the good things in your life. When you reflect on all of those things, you cherish them. When you cherish them, you never take them for granted.
Expressing daily gratitude for all of the good things you have in your life will both inspire and motivate you to keep on striving for bigger and better things in life.
2. Prayer
Prayer isn’t simply about religion — you don’t have to be religious in order to pray to God. Marriage and Family Therapist, Chris Tompkins best describes prayer as a means to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. All of that toxic energy from which arises self limiting beliefs – or negative self talk.
Prayer is a coping mechanism and a means to improve mental clarity and emotional wellbeing because it connects you to God, your higher power. And there is nothing more comforting than knowing that you are not alone in your life journey. That there is a God who is with you and who is guiding your every step in life.
With that knowledge, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Life will never be completely perfect. It has many ups and downs and you will likely experience some setbacks in the pursuit of your goals, but if you make journaling and prayer your daily habits, your mindset will shift and you will have the courage to forge ahead and create the life you were always meant to have.
Sources Used
Melanie McNally, Psy.D. Overcoming Self Limiting Beliefs: Change the thoughts that are holding you back Published on Psychology Today, November 22nd, 2023
Melissa Madeson, Ph.D. The Neuroscience of Gratitude & Its Effects on the Brain. Published on Positive Psychology, September 15, 2025
Chris Tompkins. The Power of Prayer: Personal Perspective: How thought and faith can strengthen our inner resolve. Published on Psychology Today, January 24, 2025
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