Imagine trying to run a marathon while carrying a super heavy backpack. You’d be slower, more tired, and less effective in reaching your goal.
The same applies when we carry limiting beliefs about learning. These pesky thoughts weigh us down and make the journey to knowledge longer and harder than it has to be.
But don’t fret! This guide, borne out of a genuine teacherly desire to offer assistance, is here to lighten your load and help you overcome any and all learning limiting beliefs.
After all, the only thing standing between you and your learning potential is your mindset.
So let’s work on it.
What Are Learning Limiting Beliefs?
Learning limiting beliefs are the thoughts and assumptions that hinder everyone’s ability to learn effectively.
They’re the sneaky villains in your mind, masquerading as truths and holding you back from unlocking your full learning potential.
What Are Some Common Learning Limiting Beliefs?
- “I’m just not good at Maths.”
- “I can’t learn new languages at my age.”
- “I can’t do this.”
- “I’m not good enough.”
Where Do Learning Limiting Beliefs Come From?
Many learning self limiting beliefs stem from past negative experiences, societal norms, or even offhand comments that have stuck.
The problem is, these often false beliefs only serve to limit you.
Reasons You Need to Know About Learning Limiting Beliefs
I’m sure you know the story of “The Invisible Man”, based on a novel by H. G. Wells. Can anyone defeat a villain they don’t know exists?
Knowing about learning limiting beliefs is crucial because they act as invisible barriers to your progress, creating self-doubt and stifling creativity.
The first step to overcoming them is, in fact, understanding and acknowledging their presence in your mind.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Overcoming Learning Limiting Beliefs
It’s easier to defeat the villain of doubt and fear when there’s someone to fight by your side.
As a dedicated university and language teacher who’s worked with students of all ages, I’ve witnessed the impact that self-imposed limitations have. Through a unique blend of experience and empathy, I can help you unravel the narrative of negative beliefs and replace it with a script where this villain is obliterated so you can learn joyfully.
Here are my tried and tested recommended steps.
Step 1: Identifying Limiting Beliefs
The first step in our villain-hunting adventure is to identify these negative thoughts. This is the “aha” moment where you’re brave enough to face some uncomfortable truths.
Start by observing your thoughts and language when you’re learning.
Notice any recurring negative thoughts? Do you hear yourself saying “I can’t,” “I’m always,” or “I’ll never”? Ask yourself:
- Do I believe I’m bad at learning?
- Am I afraid of making mistakes or failing?
- Do I think other people are naturally good at science, languages, etc. and I’m not?
These are clues pointing toward your limiting beliefs.
What next?
Acknowledge them without judgment. I can’t emphasize the non-judgmental bit enough. The last thing you need is to be unkind to yourself at this stage. Any stage, actually. Remember, we ALL have our own limiting beliefs.
AND THAT’S OKAY.
Step 2: Understanding the Impact
Now examine these beliefs a little closer by pondering deeper questions:
- How do they affect my learning?
- Do they make me avoid particular subjects or activities?
- Do they reduce my confidence or enjoyment in learning?
Once you become aware of the havoc they wreak, you’ll know you need to confront and challenge these beliefs.
Step 3: Challenging and Reframing Limiting Beliefs
It’s time for a showdown! Challenge these limiting beliefs by asking:
- Is this really true?
- Is it always true?
- What evidence do I have for this belief?
- What evidence do I have against it?
Say 1 of your limiting beliefs is “I can’t focus for very long.” Are your answers similar to what you see below?
- Is this really true? “More often than not, yes.”
Fair enough.
- Is it always true? “Well, I have noticed that I lose focus faster when I’m tired or hungry.”
So physiological reasons might be the cause.
- What evidence do I have for this belief? “I can’t focus for more than 20 minutes on any given task. But most of my peers are able to study for 40 minutes or even 1 hour without stopping!”
The evidence is based on comparison with others.
- What evidence do I have against it? “If I study in the morning, right after having breakfast, as opposed to the afternoon, I can focus for longer.”
The solution has already presented itself.
You might find that your thoughts on your own learning capabilities are far from absolute truths, or that you’re attaching made up meanings to events and situations that are quite neutral.
What then?
Reframe them in a more positive, empowering way.
For instance:
- “I am not good at Maths” can become “Maths is a skill, and I can improve with practice.”
- “I’m bad at learning” can be turned into “I haven’t found the right learning strategy YET.”
I’ll come back to the power of “yet” later in the post.
Step 4: Practicing New Learning Beliefs
Replacing old beliefs with new ones isn’t a one-time affair – it’s a practice. And you do need practice to defeat an enemy as relentless as a recurrent limiting belief.
The following will be of assistance to you:
Mindfulness
Mindfulness, in the context of limiting beliefs, means having present-moment awareness.
Why does this matter?
Because it’s a very effective way of dismantling the negative thought patterns that can hinder personal growth.
It involves consciously observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
For example, if you’re struggling with the limiting belief of “I’m not smart enough,” do this:
- Notice when this thought arises.
- Acknowledge it without self-criticism.
- Gently redirect your focus to the current task at hand, be it a Maths exercise or uni assignment. This should make the negative state go away.
Meditation
Meditation is about training the mind to achieve mental clarity, focus, and relaxation – the perfect state for study!
There are many techniques available and they usually involve focused attention and controlled breathing.
Try this technique:
Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations can be a powerful tool for overcoming limiting beliefs about learning. They’re basically positive statements about your learning abilities and potential.
Write these down – or others that resonate with you – and repeat them regularly to reinforce positive thinking.
Step 5: Maintaining Progress and Dealing with Setbacks
Remember those “all is lost” moments in movies, where the hero appears to have been dealt a deadly blow or the situation is so dire that there seems to be no way out for the good guys?
That’s what a setback might feel like on your learning journey, especially if you’re learning something “scary” for you. For example, you score fewer points than you thought in a practice test or are taking longer than expected to get a concept.
It’s not the end of the world (or movie) though. Just like film heroes, you can make a comeback. You can choose to get back up and keep moving forward. Celebrate small wins; progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
Key Considerations for Overcoming Learning Limiting Beliefs
- Eliminating learning limiting beliefs is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to be persistent and patient.
- Overcoming learning limiting beliefs is a personal journey. It requires self-awareness and a whole lot of self-love.
- Change takes time, and there’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it.
- Surrounding yourself with positive study influences is key, as are stepping out of your comfort zone and HAVING FUN.
Taking it to the Next Level: Additional Resources
If you want to add another weapon to your arsenal, this should be the power of “yet” (or “not yet”), mentioned earlier.
How can this power be used, practically? By replacing any “I don’t know how to do this” statement with “I don’t know how to do this YET.” If you read my “About Me” page, you’ll see that there are many things I can’t do: swim, sew, drive, name a lot of famous musicians’ or bands’ songs. But that doesn’t mean I’ll be forever stuck in the limbo of not knowing these things. I just can’t do them yet.
See how easy it is?
Carol Dweck, who wrote the book on the topic, elaborates on this idea in the TED Talk below.
Also check out my “Adult Learning Styles” post and the “Study Tips for College” one for the benefits of a growth, as opposed to a fixed, mindset (concepts that Dweck also came up with).
And whether you’re a student or a professional, my “How to Break the Cycle of Performance Anxiety” post will help with pre-performance jitters.
Final Thoughts
Overcoming limiting beliefs is a marathon. You have the power to shape your beliefs and, in turn, shape your learning journey.
When you say “I can do this” rather than “I can’t do this,” “I deserve success” instead of “I don’t deserve success,” it’s like taking off a heavy backpack before you start running. You’ll feel lighter, quicker, and more capable.
You’ll also be able to defeat the ever-looming villain of misperceived failure.
So choose to believe in yourself. You’ve got this!
This is the video version of the blog post:
FAQs
1. How do I overcome limiting beliefs?
Limiting beliefs have power over you only if you let them. Don’t let them.
Cultivate a growth mindset and reframe erroneous beliefs by focusing on what you can do well. Try taking risks and reward yourself for every small progress. This will motivate you to keep going.
2. How do I identify my limiting beliefs?
Look at the specific negative ideas you have about yourself. Whatever they have to do with (learning, romantic relationships, or general self esteem), you then need to ask yourself whether these are real or just assumptions / interpretations. If they’re the latter, they’ll hold you back, therefore they qualify as limiting beliefs.
3. How do you overcome limited thinking?
This takes focused practice.
Exercise more control over your thoughts through daily routines that encourage positive thinking (mindfulness, meditation, and positive affirmations – see details above).
Ultimately, you need to decide to stand up for yourself and challenge limiting beliefs rather than cower before them.
About Rebeca Duriga
Well-versed teacher, passionate writer with Googleable work, Udemy instructor, and someone who can’t resist a good story. I’m here to infuse joy into your learning journey, be it improving English, tackling IELTS, overcoming limiting beliefs, or conquering uni assignments with a sprinkle of AI support. Need motivation and inspiration as a student, adult learner, wordsmith in the making? Look no further.
