By: Chris Daily

During the first six years of life, we soak up everything we hear, and our young brains believe it to be true. During these years, we develop our most powerful and often life-limiting beliefs that can stick with us for the rest of our lives. 

All this information is held in our subconscious, and these limiting beliefs keep us safe. It's how we learn that the stove is hot because it burnt our hand or how we know to look both ways before crossing the street because our parents drilled that home with us every day.

However, some of these limiting beliefs hold us back in life and keep us in a state of fear and ignorance. Typically, the most common limiting beliefs take the form of:

• "I can't do that because"

• "I don't deserve that because"

• "If I do this, something bad is going to happen."

• "I can't do this because people will think..."

I'm sure some of those statements sound familiar. I know I've said them on more than one occasion. So what do we do now?  How do we own limiting beliefs? How do we overcome limiting beliefs?

To succeed in life, you must own limiting beliefs that constantly impede positive thinking and increase self-awareness. Here are ten questions we can ask ourselves that will help us dig deep into our subconscious and identify limiting beliefs.

What belief has held you back the most?

Identifying all our limiting beliefs might be hard, but we can all pinpoint at least one belief that has held us back throughout our lives. 

It might not be obvious at the moment, but if we look back on the things we've done, we can see it.

Maybe you didn't apply for that job you wanted because you didn't think you were "smart enough." Or that trip around the world you wanted to take never happened because you didn't think that was "responsible," and you went straight to college instead. 

Maybe you missed out on asking your future wife on a date because you knew she was "out of your league." 

Why do you believe this?

Now that we've identified your biggest limiting belief ask yourself this question until you run out of answers. Maybe something happened to you when you were a kid. Maybe something happened to you last week. Maybe you've just never been told it's okay.  Write down every answer you come up with, so you don't forget them. 

What evidence proves your negative belief wrong?

Most limiting beliefs are just that, limiting beliefs. Beliefs and facts are two very different things. Snow is cold. We know that because we can feel it. There's no debate about that fact. It can be measured. 

Your belief that you aren't smart enough for that job is subjective and just your opinion. There's no way to prove it with 100% certainty. If you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find someone not as smart as you do exactly what you want to do. The only thing stopping you is your belief. 

What have you missed out on in life because of your limiting belief?

Sticking to the job example, how different would your life be right now if you applied for that job? Your life would most likely be completely different. Even if you applied and didn't get it, you could've learned something valuable from the person interviewing you. If nothing else, you would've learned that trying and failing is okay. 

Is there any truth in your belief?

Is there truth to your belief? Has something happened to you recently to reinforce the belief? Or is it something you've believed for as long as you can remember and don't really know why? 

If you can't think of anything to confirm your belief that has happened within a year, it's time to reevaluate. And be sure not to put too much weight on the opinions of others.  They also hold limiting beliefs that they project on others. 

Question its impact.

What happens if you challenge your belief? Let's say you wake up one morning and tell yourself you're not going to let that belief control your decisions anymore. Does your life change for the better? 

Do you allow yourself to do things that you've never done before? Do those things change your life for the better? Usually, the worst thing that can happen is failure.  And even when we fail, we wake up the next morning with another chance to try again. 

What are you afraid of?

What's the worst possible thing that could happen if you challenge your belief? How does this change your daily life? Most of our fears boil down to being rejected, humiliated, embarrassed, isolated, and so on. How debilitating would these things be if they were to happen? Is bettering your life and giving up the belief worth the risk?

How are you contributing?

What are you doing regularly that's contributing to your limiting belief? Are you reinforcing your negative emotions related to the belief? Are you letting the opinions of others influence what you believe? Are you avoiding doing things that would eliminate the belief? Write down all the ways you might be contributing to the belief so you can start changing those behaviors.

What would you have to give up if you overcome this belief?

What part of yourself would you lose if you gave up your belief? Would it be missed by you or the people around you? Would it make you a better person? Would it move your life in the right direction and create more opportunities? Sometimes our biggest fear is the fear of being more than we ever thought we were capable of. Ensure you aren't holding yourself back on purpose by eliminating limiting beliefs.

What would you gain if you overcome this limiting belief?

How much better would your life be if you simply stopped believing in something that has no weight to it? Think of the freedom you could gain. Think of how much happier you could be. Would you even be able to make the lives of people around you better if you were to overcome this belief? Most success and happiness are on the other side of a negative belief. Make sure you aren't keeping yourself from getting there.

You've probably encouraged others when they have expressed negative beliefs. Why not improve your self-esteem with positive affirmations? Look yourself in the mirror and encourage positive thinking. Ask yourself these questions whenever you find yourself thinking, "I can't," "I shouldn't," or "I don't deserve it."  Make sure that thought is the reality and not just a limiting belief holding you back. You can overcome many limiting beliefs and create the life you want.