What’s Holding You Back? How Our Limiting Beliefs Stop Us From Life Changes
Friday, March 19, 2010 13:33By Ellen Brown
Have you ever noticed how your limiting beliefs sometimes stop you from pursuing new opportunities? I consider myself pretty open-minded, but I recently noticed how my OWN limiting beliefs were holding me back.
Luckily, it wasn’t the biggest deal in the world. For months, my husband, Jeff — who is also my web developer and SEO guy all rolled into one — had been nudging me to start a Facebook Fan Page. But I scoffed at the idea. Facebook is okay. But I’ve never been a huge, fan, no pun intended.
When I hang out on Facebook, I often feel like I’m killing time. Yacking about useless stuff. So when I considered the idea of sinking more time into something I didn’t really enjoy, the thought wasn’t all that appealing.
Then, the other day, we were working on updating my website, and Jeff said he’d read that Facebook was visited more frequently than Google and that having a Facebook Fan Page could really help with search engine optimization.
“Hey, why don’t we set up a Fan Page NOW?” he said. “It won’t take much time at all.” The idea, admittedly, didn’t excite me. But if it wasn’t going to take that much time and might help me connect with people and improve my Google rankings, I thought “why not.”
I couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was to set up the initial page (please join me here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellen-Brown-Certified-Professional-Coach/347591665890 )
Even better? Before I knew it, I was actually having fun dreaming up new content to create and different ways I could connect with people dealing with difficult life transitions.
Though my page is still in its embryonic stages, I’m excited about my new venture and the endless possibilities to reach out to people and create a sense of community.
When I think about how much I resisted creating a fan page, how I was practically kicking and screaming until the very end, it makes me smile.
Resistance is a funny thing. We may have some pre-conceived ideas about people or places or things, but when we let go of those beliefs and move beyond that resistance and take a leap of faith, we’re often pleasantly surprised.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear what you have to say about how our limiting beliefs hold us back. Please leave a comment here, on Stepping Stones, by scrolling down.
Are you dealing with job loss, the death of a loved one, or another challenging life transition? If so, I’d love to help out. Visit my website at http://www.ellen-brown.com to sign up for an introductory coaching session or a coaching package that’s right for you. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world.
In the meantime, please join me on my new Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellen-Brown-Certified-Professional-Coach/347591665890 And while you’re there, please join in the conversations on the discussion boards. I hope to see you there soon!
Ellen Brown is a certified professional coach, based in Cleveland, OH.
Carl Slater says:
March 19th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
I relate totally to this. A year ago, about this time, I came to a similar realization about how my self-imposed limitations were holding me back, and set about changing them and me. Within six months, I had, at age 68, climbed my first two 14,000 foot mountain peaks and was certified by the Colorado Mountain Club to be a hike leader. Reminds me of the quote from Pogo (the cartoon strip for anyone who goes that far back)—We have met the enemy and it is us.
Darlene Ouimet says:
March 20th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Well I can certainly relate to this Ellen!
In fact I recently wrote a blog post about it too! I had a blog before the one that I have now that I was actually afraid that someone would read! I took marketing classes and was afraid to implement what I was learning. I think it is important to recognize where our limiting beliefs come from because it seems that if we can do that, it is easier to move forward and face the fear. I know that I was made to feel as a child that I was not capable, especially if what I wanted to try was not something that my parents saw value in me doing. Some well meaning parents discourage kids not to try because they might fail and they want to spare them from the pain of failure. There are all kinds of things that form those limiting beliefs!
I have been working on a fan page too and one of the things that kept me from doing it is the deep down thought “who is going to want to be a “FAN of mine??” I have a decent sized blog following, but I think one of the things that held me up on facebook is the fact that the number of fan’s is public! I hear all the voices in my past that told me that I would fail, that no one would come to my event, that I would look stupid, etc. etc. Today I know that is not the truth, but I still have to push myself past those old voices which still often insist in making an appearance.
Thanks Ellen for this post. I have enjoyed catching up on your excellent blog today and by the way, thank you for adding my blog to your blog roll! I am honored!
Darlene Ouimet
Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker says:
March 28th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Like Darlene, I have written my own blog posts about my limiting beliefs. Awareness of these beliefs is the key to letting them go. I am glad that I discovered your blog and it was by visiting your Facebook Fan page. I have had a Facebook account for several years but only this month have I really started using it to contact new people like you, Darlene and Dan Hays. I even sat down today and figured out how to use Twitter. You are blessed to have your husband do the technical side of blogging for you. I had help from a friend in initially setting up my blog. The rest I have learned (very limited knowledge of computers) by trial and error.
Ellen Brown says:
March 29th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I am looking forward to checking out your blog, Patricia. It sounds like you are doing some amazing work!