3 Tips to Change the Limiting Beliefs that Can Sabotage Your Career  

I’ll never forget the day when I was working at a technology startup and my boss called me into his office. We’d been working crazy hours – nights, weekends, nonstop. He told me I was getting a raise. I was thrilled! Heck, I hadn’t even asked for one. In fact, despite the demands of the job, I had no intention of asking for a raise. It was a startup, money was tight. Certainly, pay increases were out of the question.

So, why this good fortune? One of my co-workers had asked for a raise. And he got it. The company’s policy was to pay everyone in the same position the same salary. You don’t see that every day, do you? Then it hit me! This company was quite unusual. At most other companies, I would have been left behind. I believed the company would not grant a raise, and I acted as if it were true. Only, it wasn’t.

It’s not uncommon to accept what you perceive or believe as fact, without questioning it. But to achieve your goals, it is important to determine if what you believe is really true.  Belief drives action. Both what you do and how you do it. Take athletes, for example. The approach and performance of an athlete who believes she can win is noticeably different from that of an athlete who feels outmatched. The former participates with confidence and determination. The latter is tentative and uneasy. The difference often plays out in the outcome, as well.

This happens in business, too. The people who believe they can get the promotion, raise, job, deal, etc. take the necessary actions to make it happen. Those who don’t believe it don’t act, or act with less conviction. The believers consistently see better results. That’s not to suggest that there are no challenges in advancing your career. However, it’s worth taking a look at what’s holding you back from achieving your professional goals.

Limiting beliefs like “Companies aren’t hiring,” “My employer will take care of me,” “Now isn’t a good time,” “Things will change,” “I don’t know enough,” or “My experience isn’t strong enough” hold you back from advancing in your career. Imagine what might change if even one of your limiting beliefs wasn’t true. What would you do differently? What could you achieve?

Here are three tips for challenging your beliefs to remove obstacles and uncover possibility.

Notice All or Nothing Ideas

“No one’s hiring now.” “My company would not survive without me.” “It’s impossible to change industries.” These thoughts are all-inclusive. They leave no room for error or exception. Notice words like “all,” “none,” “never,” “impossible,” “no,” “not,” “won’t,” and “don’t.” They likely indicate a belief that can be challenged.

If you accept your extreme belief as true, then it is true. And, you’ll likely act (or not act) accordingly. But what if it isn’t true? To challenge a belief:

• Look for counterevidence rather than ways to confirm it.
• Consider a different or broader perspective–e.g., “I add great value at my company, yet I wonder if the recent slowdown in business might impact my job security?”
• Weigh the validity of a softer conclusion–e.g., “It might be more challenging, but it is possible to change industries.”
• Get creative with a solution–e.g., “If some companies are hiring now, which ones might they be?”

Watch for Opinions Disguised as Fact

“I’ve had too many jobs, so companies won’t hire me.” “My whole career is at one company, so no one else will want to hire me.” “As long as you work hard, you’ll get promoted.” Statements expressed as truths that are not proven fact are opinions. They may be your own ideas or offered by someone else. Opinions are often delivered with conviction, shared by someone you see as an expert, heard repeatedly, or considered conventional wisdom. By accepting an opinion as fact, you may be acting on misinformation. Consider the basis for ideas that are driving your career decisions. Then, you can choose if and how you want them to impact you.

Beware of “Shoulds”

“You need to take the first offer you get.” “You ought to be happy you have a job.” “With your education, you should be doing more.” “Shoulds” are opinions that imply duty or a sense of what is right vs. wrong. They are a form of opinion focused on judgments about you and your responsibility. “Shoulds” or “shouldn’ts” may tie to expectations about job, company, industry, salary, title, and so on. Recognizing that a belief is actually an opinion or judgment opens up the possibility of choice. If you accept the reasoning behind it, the “should” may be warranted. If not, you can choose to free yourself from this limitation.

With the many demands of life and career, you are probably busy juggling many priorities and facing real challenges in achieving your goals. You can make it a little easier on yourself by taking a closer look at the beliefs that are driving your career and the limitations that are holding you back. What are you doing or not doing? What is possible? Start looking for reasons why instead of why not.

It may seem simpler to leave your future in the hands of fate (or your employer), or to focus on external factors that are keeping you from where you want to be. Is it really easier to stay in a job, company, or industry you don’t love? If you are ready to take control of your career, these three tips will help you start changing your limiting beliefs so you can achieve your professional goals.