Assessing our Self-Imposed Limitations: December Theme of the Month 2021

This month we are focusing on recognizing and assessing the beliefs we hold that may create limitations, restrictions or expectations for ourselves. You might hear it in the form of: "I have a bad memory," "I don't eat that," "I am a leader," "people would like me more if I wore makeup." Not all beliefs we have about ourselves are necessarily negative or false but they could be exaggerated or inaccurate. Our brain often looks for patterns and uses previous experiences, preferences, fears, or the beliefs and opinions of others to help streamline our decision making process. Generally speaking this is helpful because it weeds out extra information that could overwhelm us; but it could also limit our exploration of other solutions, the unknown, the intimidating or simply unfamiliar. Now is our chance to challenge the norm, the expectations we and others have placed on ourselves. It is time to recognize that we also place those limiting beliefs on others with stereotypes or assumptions. We are working toward both identifying these self-limiting beliefs and assessing them. Ask yourself: Is it helping me make a productive decision? If I keep making these decisions will it help me get where I want to be in the future? Is this my own thought or decision or is it convoluted by the opinions of others? Rather than thinking about trying to be perfect or not make mistakes, why not be open to trying new and different things, to change, and to going against the norm. You define your own limits.