by Nicolette Stinson: You have infinite potential but sometimes your results don’t reflect that potential…

Deeply ingrained unconscious beliefs (feelings of certainty about what something means) are influencing these results in ways you cannot see. When you have a deep belief, even unconsciously, it can sabotage your potential through the actions or non-actions you take based on the belief. That then creates the less-than-desirable results that hold you back from real success.

But because of who you truly are—and your infinite potential—you can learn to move through all that hinders you from living your dharma. In fact, such obstacles can actually be used as opportunities for further expansion.

What follows are eight:

• Common limiting beliefs that hold you back from creating success and true fulfillment at work and in life.
• New empowering beliefs to replace your old limiting beliefs.
• New habits to instill your new empowering belief.
• Inspirational quotes from Deepak Chopra to help support your new belief and habit.

Limiting Belief 1: I Am Not Unique

You may say that you don’t have anything different to offer from others who have the same title or credentials, or who work in the same industry. You don’t believe that you are unique and don’t know how you can stand out from the crowd. This belief can kill your confidence and your ability to believe in your unique gifts and excel. Don’t let it hold you back! The reality is, it’s ENTIRELY untrue! You are unique from every other person on this planet in immeasurable ways and you have the ability to change or affect someone else’s life like no one else can.

• New Empowering Belief: There is no one else who has my exact experience and knowledge and who can serve in the way that only I can.
• New Empowering Habit: Write a list of your interests, passions, skills, knowledge, experience, and desires. Each day, read this list and decide one thing you can do that day that uses a facet of yourself to help someone you know or come across.
• Inspiration: “Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 2: I Don’t Know What I Want

You may be able to describe what you don’t want in your life, but when asked what you do want, you become unsure. Staying confused or being overwhelmed and complaining about what is not working can be comfortable because it has the pay-off of not having to take decisive action or responsibility and take what feels like a risk. But repeating this story will quickly put the brakes on your success.

• New Empowering Belief: I have a clear vision for my future and the completion of the steadfast actions I take toward my vision is the best measure of my success
• New Empowering Habit: Research shows that keeping visual reminders of your personal goals will help you achieve your results. Create a clear vision for what you are creating as well as a vision board and reflect on it daily.
• Inspiration: “The more boundless your vision, the more real you are.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 3: I Don’t Have Time

This belief can sound like “I don’t have time for <insert self-care habit such as exercise, meditation, or hiking>,” “If I take time off I will fall behind,” or “I must respond to every request right away.” These are all a conversation about lack of time and putting off the things that you “should” do for yourself for another time.

The key is to turn your “shoulds” into “musts.” Investing time in meditation and self-care allows you to tap into the infinite field of creativity—the place where insight and inspiration lives. Without accessing this space you risk the potential of perpetuating problems, serious burnout, or disease.

• New Empowering Belief: Everyone has the same amount of time in the day and I allow infinite intelligence to work when I am connected to the present moment.
• New Empowering Habit: Start by tracking where you spend your time. This will help you to better prioritize and schedule your activities accordingly. Begin each day with a plan for what you want to accomplish personally and professionally and schedule in non-negotiable time for self-care.
• Inspiration: “If you change your relationship with time, you will change your life. The most important time of your life is right now.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 4: Inevitable Change Will Make My Skills and Knowledge Obsolete

It’s no secret that this is a fast-paced world where new knowledge or skills can quickly become outdated or even obsolete. For some this can feel disheartening, like the invested time in gaining that knowledge or skill was wasted. The key, however, is to be enthusiastic about the potential these changes have to make things better for you and the world at large. Staying engaged, eager, and enthusiastic about new possibilities and change allows you to apply your knowledge and skills in unique ways that people without that prior experience would not be able to see.

• New Empowering Belief: Change allows myself and the world to evolve in positive ways and my enthusiasm about it brings new opportunities I would never have had otherwise.
• New Empowering Habit: Subscribe to blogs and newsletters of leaders in your field or industry and be on the lookout daily for changes or potential changes. Reflect on what excites you personally about these changes and how you can stay ahead of them through training or new experiences.
• Inspiration: “There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component. . . But success also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being, and peace of mind.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 5: Everyone Else Has It Figured Out Except for Me

With social media being such a huge part of life, comparison is more rampant than ever before. Ideal lifestyles that can never be lived up to—and which don’t actually exist—are broadcast daily. It’s almost impossible to avoid and easy to start believing that everyone else’s life around you is working out for them perfectly and something is wrong with you. But it’s not true! Focusing on other people’s highlight reels and comparing them to your own experiences—especially when you feel confused or lost—will instantly put you into a downward spiral. The moment you start looking outward at everyone else is the moment it’s time to begin looking inward and owning what is true for you.

• New Empowering Belief: The more that I focus on my own experience and truth the more connected with, and certain I am, about my true path
• New Empowering Habit: Learn to let go of comparison by turning your attention inward through a practice like yoga or meditation.
• Inspiration: “Owning your own feelings, rather than blaming them on someone else, is the mark of a person who has moved from contracted to expanded awareness.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 6: I Can Do It Myself, I Don’t Need Anyone’s Help

No one has ever created success alone. You are an inherently social creature and must rely on others all the time. There are various reasons you may hang on to this limiting belief. It can come from feeling guilty for, or ashamed of, asking for help or from a fear of being let down by or rejected by others but you need others to do great things in the world.

• New Empowering Belief: It is safe to ask for help. In asking for help, I inherently also help others.
• New Empowering Habit: Practice the law of giving and receiving by asking for help, guidance, or simple presence from someone else every other day. On the other days practice giving your own time, kindness, or presence to those around you.
• Inspiration: “If you want to do really important things in life and big things in life, you can’t do anything by yourself. And your best teams are your friends and your siblings.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 7: I’m Not Good Enough

This belief is embedded in human nature and has a tendency to get the best of you. It can take form in believing you are not skilled enough, talented enough, or even deserving enough; it shows up in life as anxiety, perfectionism, and procrastination. But building self-awareness can help you distinguish the voice of “not good enough” and beat this persistent limiting belief.

• New Empowering Belief: I am 100 percent worthy of all of my dreams and desires.
• New Empowering Habit: Practice self-awareness and learn to separate thoughts from your truth by starting a meditation practice, reflecting, or talking to a counselor or coach.
• Inspiration: “Once you know who you really are, being is enough. You feel neither superior to anyone nor inferior to anyone and you have no need for approval because you’ve awakened to your own infinite worth.”—Deepak Chopra

Limiting Belief 8: I Have to Fix or Change ______ Before I Can _______

One of the biggest barriers to success is believing you are not ready right now—once you are in that relationship, lose that weight, feel better, heal, and so on. Then you can take action toward your dreams and achieve your goals. However, it is the belief that this is true that is holding us back from having what you desire.

• New Empowering Belief: I am already perfect and whole; I can create whatever I desire now.
• New Empowering Habit: Notice where you tell yourself you are not ready and bravely take action toward your vision and goals every single day. Make sure to reward yourself for taking action!
• Inspiration: “You must find the place inside you where nothing is impossible”—Deepak Chopra

You can find experiences to back up almost any belief, but the key is to make sure that you are consciously aware of the beliefs you are creating. If your beliefs don’t empower you, change them. Will your beliefs be the reason you stop taking action toward the results you want from life? Or will you change them into the ultimate opportunity to create something extraordinary—whether it is a transformation in yourself, your career, or your life?

Source: Chopra