Limiting Beliefs - What does that mean and how can I shift my mindset?

Keri Tlachac
Jul 30
4 min read

If someone doesn't have something you want, you may not want to consult them. So many times we lean on friends and family when making life changes. We’re often told we can’t have it all—but that’s usually a reflection of limiting beliefs, not reality. And these limiting beliefs mainly come from our friends and family. These beliefs, like “you can’t make money doing what you love” or “I have to choose between career and family,” create false choices and keep us stuck. In truth, we can design a life that blends purpose, success, and balance. The key is recognizing that these limitations aren’t facts—they’re inherited stories we can choose to rewrite. But be aware... When you take charge and rewrite your story, it will most likely alienate some close to you.

Limiting beliefs around money, career, and family are deeply rooted assumptions that often feel like truths but actually constrain our potential. Around money, common limiting beliefs include ideas like "money is the root of all evil," "there’s never enough," or "I have to work hard to make money." These beliefs foster guilt, scarcity, or burnout, and they block healthy financial habits and abundance. In careers, limiting beliefs may sound like "I’m too old to change," "success only comes from climbing the corporate ladder," or "you can’t make money doing what you love." These beliefs restrict reinvention, creativity, and pursuing work that aligns with one’s values. Within family dynamics, limiting beliefs like "I must sacrifice my dreams for my family," "we don’t talk about difficult things," or "that’s just how we are" can reinforce generational dysfunction and emotional suppression. What makes these beliefs limiting is that they are typically based on fear, scarcity, or outdated narratives. They tend to shut down possibilities, prevent growth, and create a false sense of permanence, often turning personal choices into rigid rules. Recognizing and challenging these beliefs is essential for creating more intentional, expansive paths forward.

Limiting Beliefs About Money

"Money is the root of all evil."➤ Why it's limiting: This belief creates guilt or shame around wealth, leading to self-sabotage or rejection of financial success.
"I’ll never be good with money."➤ Why it's limiting: It shuts down learning, improvement, and self-trust. People with this belief often avoid budgeting or investing altogether.
"Rich people are greedy or selfish."➤ Why it's limiting: It creates inner conflict. If you want to stay “good,” you may subconsciously resist wealth.
"There’s never enough money."➤ Why it's limiting: Fosters a scarcity mindset, increasing anxiety and poor decision-making (like hoarding or under-investing).
"I have to work hard to make money."➤ Why it's limiting: Encourages burnout and ignores the value of strategic thinking, delegation, or passive income.

Limiting Beliefs About Career

"I have to choose stability over passion."➤ Why it's limiting: Prevents exploration of meaningful work and may lead to long-term dissatisfaction or regret.
"I’m too old (or too young) to change careers."➤ Why it's limiting: Blocks reinvention or growth. Many successful people pivoted late—or early—in life.
"I’m not smart or qualified enough."➤ Why it's limiting: Erodes confidence. Leads to missed opportunities due to imposter syndrome or underapplying.
"Success means climbing the corporate ladder."➤ Why it's limiting: Limits definitions of success. Entrepreneurial, creative, or unconventional paths may be more aligned with your values.
"You can’t make money doing what you love."➤ Why it's limiting: Creates a false choice between fulfillment and financial success.

Limiting Beliefs About Family

"I have to sacrifice my dreams for my family."➤ Why it's limiting: Creates resentment and burnout. It's possible to honor both personal goals and family roles with healthy boundaries.
"We don’t talk about difficult things."➤ Why it's limiting: Suppresses emotional honesty. Prevents healing, growth, and authentic connection.
"It’s my job to keep the family together."➤ Why it's limiting: Over-responsibility leads to stress and co-dependence, especially if others aren't doing their part.
"Good parents/partners always put others first."➤ Why it's limiting: Encourages self-neglect. You can't pour from an empty cup.
"That’s just how our family is."➤ Why it's limiting: Normalizes unhealthy dynamics and stops people from challenging generational patterns.

What Makes a Belief "Limiting"?

It assumes a false binary – like “either money or meaning,” “either career or family.”
It prevents change or growth – because you believe the outcome is fixed.
It’s based on fear, not possibility – it keeps you “safe” but small.
It’s reactive rather than intentional – shaped by defense mechanisms or others’ expectations.
It often feels like a rule instead of a choice – and that illusion of permanence gives it power.

Shifting your mindset and changing limiting beliefs is a process of awareness, interruption, and replacement. Here's a breakdown of how to start doing that:

1. Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

These are thoughts like:

“I’m not good with money.”
“People like me don’t succeed.”
“I have to choose between career and family.”

👉 Ask yourself:

Where did I learn this?
Is this always true?
Who benefits from me believing this?

2. Challenge the Belief

Once you spot a limiting belief, poke holes in it:

Look for exceptions to the belief in your own life.
Collect evidence that contradicts it (e.g., people who balance career and family successfully).
Reframe it as a protective story you’ve outgrown.

3. Replace It with an Empowering Belief

Craft a new narrative, such as:

“I’m learning to manage money well.”
“Success is possible and personal.”
“I can design a life that includes both career and family.”

Make it:

Positive
Present tense
Believable (you don’t have to go from 0 to 100)

4. Reinforce Through Action

You shift your mindset fastest by acting differently:

Try things that contradict your old belief.
Surround yourself with people who reflect your new mindset.
Use tools like journaling, visualization, affirmations, or therapy to stay on track.

5. Repeat and Be Patient

Beliefs are neural patterns formed over time. Changing them is like carving a new path. Keep showing up, noticing when old thoughts creep in, and gently replacing them.

I hope this article gave you something meaningful to reflect on. Sometimes, the smallest shift in awareness creates the biggest long-term impact. Stay mindful of the ideas shared here—even for just a few months—and they’ll soon become second nature. The changes you’ve been waiting for will start unfolding naturally. Get ready: this could be the most rewarding ride of your life. Just remember, only you can step onto the train.

Sincerely,

Keri Tlachac, Owner

WCSR