How to Identify a Limiting Belief
(and Rewrite the Story You Tell Yourself)
My “I’m Bad at Math” Story
Have you ever caught yourself thinking or saying something on autopilot without even questioning where the thought came from, or if it’s even true? That’s the sneaky power of limiting beliefs.
For me, the story has always been: “I’m bad at math.”
Back in grade 11, I was tracking toward being on the honour roll, but math was pulling me back. My teacher even suggested I drop her class and take gym instead. From that moment, I bought into the story that numbers weren’t my thing. (And honestly, taking gym wasn’t a bad idea, I did end up becoming a personal trainer and working in fitness for a few years!)
But here’s the funny part: when it comes to running a product-based business, I can calculate cost of goods, conversion rates, and analytics with ease. Numbers tied to something real and relevant? I’m actually a boss at them.
Still, I catch myself instinctively saying “I’m bad at math”, and that’s when I have to pause, reframe, and rewrite the story: “I’m SO good with business math.” My goal is to run a subconscious story that empowers me, one I don’t even have to think about.
If you’re exploring mindset shifts, you might also love our posts on Reframing Limiting Beliefs and The Benefits of Journaling for Entrepreneurs. Both pair perfectly with today’s topic and offer more ways to reflect on the stories you tell yourself.
Want a little nudge to begin? Get my 5-Day Confidence Prompts sent to your inbox, my treat! Give yourself a moment to pause, get curious, and recognise the evidence of what you’re already capable of. If you’re ready for a regular journaling practice, explore the Female Founders Journal Deluxe Bundle.
What Psychology Says About Limiting Beliefs
Psychologists often describe limiting beliefs as “invisible cages” formed early in life that quietly shape our choices and behaviors. According to Psychology Today, these beliefs often stem from childhood experiences and can persist into adulthood, influencing how we see ourselves and what we believe we’re capable of.
Another Psychology Today article explores beliefs that limit us and how to identify them. Limiting beliefs are different from cognitive biases (like confirmation bias or anchoring bias), which distort how we process information. Limiting beliefs are more personal; they’re the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we can or cannot do.
For examples that relate to business, Wingmind discusses limiting beliefs among entrepreneurs and leaders. Some stories you might recognise include:
“I don’t deserve success.”
“Others are better than me.”
“I’m not ready yet.”
These beliefs don’t just live in our heads, they shape decisions, slow progress, and keep us from taking bold action.
How to Identify a Limiting Belief
Start with awareness. Identifying a limiting belief means noticing the quiet narratives that shape your decisions, then checking whether they reflect the evidence in front of you.
1. Notice the Stories You Repeat
Limiting beliefs often show up as repeated narratives. For me, it was “I’m bad at math.” For you, it might be “I’m not creative,” “I’ll never be good at sales,” or “I’m not the kind of person who can lead a team.”
Start by paying attention to the phrases you say about yourself in different areas of life: health, relationships, career, finances, spirituality. These repeated stories are often clues to hidden beliefs.
2. Ask Yourself: “Why Can’t I Have This?”
When you set a goal, pause and ask: “Why do I believe I can’t achieve this?” Use the answers as a starting point for exploring your assumptions.
For example, if you want to launch a new product but keep hesitating, ask yourself why. You might notice thoughts like “I don’t know enough” or “The market is too saturated.” Rather than treating them as facts or dismissing them outright, ask what evidence supports them, what evidence challenges them, and what practical next step would help you learn more.
3. Watch for Absolute Language
Limiting beliefs often hide in absolutes:
“Always.”
“Never.”
“I can’t.”
“I’m not the kind of person who…”
“That’s not realistic for me.”
When you catch yourself using absolute language, pause. Ask: Is this really true, or is it a limiting belief I’ve been carrying without questioning?
Journaling Prompts to Uncover Limiting Beliefs
Journaling gives you a place to slow down, reflect, and put your thoughts on paper. Here are a few prompts to get started:
What story do I catch myself saying on repeat?
Where do I use absolute language about myself?
What’s one area of life where I feel stuck, and why?
What belief about success or failure do I want to rewrite?
If I believed I was fully capable, what would I do differently?
Want more guided prompts like these? Explore the Female Founders Journal Deluxe Bundle. The journal was designed with therapists and coaches to help you uncover limiting beliefs, celebrate wins, and build confidence daily.
Rewriting the Math Narrative
Let’s go back to my math story. For years, I carried the belief that I wasn’t good with numbers. But when I reframed it, connecting numbers to something meaningful like business, I realized I was actually great at them.
That’s the power of identifying and reframing limiting beliefs. Once you spot the story, you can rewrite it into something empowering. Instead of “I’m bad at math,” my new narrative is: “I’m great with business math.”
And here’s the best part: the more I repeat the new story, the more it becomes my subconscious truth.
Rewrite the Story You’re Telling Yourself
Founder-to-founder: identifying limiting beliefs isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about noticing the stories you’ve been carrying, questioning whether they’re true, and choosing to write new ones that support your growth.
So here’s your challenge: grab your journal tonight and write down one limiting belief you’ve been carrying. Then, reframe it into a new, empowering story.
And if you’d like a little company on the page, get my 5-Day Confidence Prompts sent to your inbox, my treat! Bring your pen and a little curiosity about what else might be true. You’ve already done more than that old story gives you credit for. Let’s make space to recognise it, one reflection at a time.
