Unblocking Your Potential: How Limiting Beliefs Keep You from Living Fully

One of the core pursuits of being human is the search for meaning and self-fulfillment.

Each of us possesses unique talents and interests, and yet we often come across people who just can’t seem to bring those gifts to life. They don’t explore their interests, or they avoid developing their abilities altogether. Even those who do acquire knowledge or training in their field of interest don't always develop it further.

What is the reason that people do not use the abilities they’ve been blessed with? Limiting beliefs is a common one.

What Is a Limiting Belief, and Where Does It Come From?

A limiting belief is an idea we’ve internalized that restricts our choices and actions. It differs from simple opinions or thoughts because it shapes how we live, often without us realizing it.

Examples of common limiting beliefs include:

• “Money doesn’t grow on trees- you have to work hard to earn it.”

• “People with money must be corrupt.”

• “If I become wealthy, something bad will happen to my health or my family.”

These beliefs create invisible boundaries that guide our decisions, even when we want something different.

Consider, for instance, someone who believes that “rich people are corrupt.” This person might unconsciously reject opportunities to make more money, because in their mind, more money equals moral compromise. Their subconscious wants to protect them from becoming “corrupt,” and it therefore blocks financial success.

Even if that person is constantly presented with promising financial opportunities, they’ll find excuses to back away because to them, money is tied to something negative.

Where Do These Beliefs Come From?

Most of them are shaped by the environment that we grew up in. The messages we absorb from parents, teachers, peers, and society become the blueprint for how we think about success, money, relationships, creativity, and more.

Limiting beliefs often stop us from pursuing things we truly want, because we’ve been taught those things are unrealistic, impractical, or wrong. For example, someone may love art, but suppress that passion because they were taught, “You can’t make a living as an artist.” That belief is simply not true, but it still governs their choices.

Because of beliefs like these, many people bury their talents and live lives that feel hollow or unfulfilling, while working in industries they don't feel passionate about.

A Personal Story

A friend called me recently and told me he had just completed his rabbinical studies but didn’t know what to do next.

I asked, “Why do you need to think about what’s next? You have knowledge, you have a certificate. Why not pursue a rabbinical position?”

He replied, “There’s no work in that field. There are too many applicants and not enough jobs.”

I pointed out to him that before even trying, he had already ruled out the possibility because of a limiting belief- that rabbinical roles are impossible to get.

So I asked him, “If it’s really impossible, how do so many people end up in those positions?”

He didn’t have an answer.

Together, we realized that to move forward in life, the first step is to identify what’s holding us back- because very often, it’s a belief, and not reality. Once we recognize the belief, we can begin to challenge and replace it- and open the door to a life of meaning and satisfaction.

How Do You Break a Limiting Belief?

One effective method is to question the belief directly.

• Is every wealthy person corrupt? Maybe not.

• Does no one make a living through art? Certainly not.

Try imagining your life without that belief.

• What would you think differently?

• What would you do?

• How would your life look?

• How much more fulfilled would you feel?

The more you challenge and undermine the belief, the easier it becomes to free yourself from it, and to start living the life you truly want.

Ariel Goldstein is an emotional therapist on behalf of the "Nafshi B'Sheelati" department.

Are you suffering from depression, anxiety, and a poor mental state? Contact the "Nafshi B'Sheelati" department at Hidabroot. For counseling call 073-3333331 or email sarap@htv.co.il