--- title: "Breaking Down Limiting Beliefs: How to Recognise and Change Restrictive Convictions" description: Breaking down limiting beliefs means recognising restrictive convictions, understanding where they come from and replacing them with more helpful… image: https://flow-entfalten.de/hubfs/pexels-zulfugarkarimov-39925164.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/blog/breaking-down-limiting-beliefs#main-content) [![Corinna Behling](https://flow-entfalten.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20dark.png?width=500&height=500&name=Logo%20dark.png)Homepage](https://flow-entfalten.de/?hsLang=en) - [Coaching](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/coachings?hsLang=en) - [Invidivual coaching](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/individual-coaching?hsLang=en) - [Introverted. In the flow. 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Such beliefs often work unnoticed, for example “I’m not good enough”. ## What are beliefs? **Beliefs are firm convictions about yourself, other people and life that steer thinking and actions.** They form through experiences, role models and feedback. They become a problem when they restrict you permanently. ## How do you discover beliefs? Ask which sentences appear in difficult situations, which rules you have set for life, and which statements you adopted from others. Words such as “always”, “never”, “must” and “can’t” can be clues. ## How do you change limiting beliefs? 1. **Recognise:** Write down the sentence and when it appears. 2. **Question:** Is it always true? What disproves it? 3. **Replace:** Formulate a realistic alternative, such as “I make mistakes, and I learn from them.” 4. **Act:** Take a small step that matches the new sentence. ## How can you reword beliefs? | Old belief | New formulation | | --- | --- | | “I’m not good enough.” | “I am valuable, even when I’m not perfect.” | | “I mustn’t make mistakes.” | “Mistakes help me learn.” | | “No one can be trusted.” | “I am learning to build trust, and I am allowed to trust myself.” | Deep imprints or trauma should be addressed in trauma-informed psychotherapy; coaching does not replace therapy. ## Key takeaways - Recognise, question and replace: this is how restrictive beliefs change. - Realistic alternatives and small actions work better than rituals. - Change requires repetition. - For trauma, psychotherapy is the right route. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fflow-entfalten.de%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-down-limiting-beliefs](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fflow-entfalten.de%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fbreaking-down-limiting-beliefs) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://flow-entfalten.de/hs-fs/hubfs/pexels-jack-sparrow-5918399.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=pexels-jack-sparrow-5918399.jpg) Career Fear of Failure at Work: Recognise the Signs, Understand Anxiety and Find a Way Forward](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/blog/fear-of-failure-at-work?hsLang=en) ### [![](https://flow-entfalten.de/hs-fs/hubfs/pexels-fotios-photos-5139246.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=pexels-fotios-photos-5139246.jpg) Introversion Shy in Everyday Life: What Shyness Means and How to Become More Confident](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/blog/shyness-everyday-life?hsLang=en) [![Logo dark (500 x 500)](https://flow-entfalten.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20dark%20(500%20x%20500).png?width=175&height=175&name=Logo%20dark%20(500%20x%20500).png "Logo dark (500 x 500)")](https://flow-entfalten.de/?hsLang=en) - [Coaching](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/coachings?hsLang=en) - [Impulse](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/impulse-tools-for-self-confidence?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/blog) - [For Companies](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/unlock-introverted-strengths-for-business-growth?hsLang=en) - [About me](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/about-me?hsLang=en) [Glossary](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/glossary?hsLang=en) [FAQ](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/faq?hsLang=en) --- [Privacy Policy](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) · [Impressum](https://flow-entfalten.de/en/impressum?hsLang=en) · © 2025 Corinna Behling. 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