Breaking Down Societal Conditioning and Limiting Beliefs
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Breaking Down Societal Conditioning and Limiting Beliefs
For the most part, personal and professional growth is a head-on confrontation with our most deeply ingrained patterns and beliefs. In order to change our lives we are forced to work through the subconscious programming that had previously held us back. Two of the most important concepts in this journey of growth and abundance are conditioning and limiting beliefs.
These two things are closely interrelated but there is a are some differences in how they originate and the effect they each have on our lives. When you can identify your conditioning and your limiting beliefs, you are able to reclaim your power and start making meaningful shifts in your perspective which leads to significant change. So let’s dig into these concepts and how they interact, and while we’re at it learn a few practical strategies to transform yourself along the way.
Understanding Your Conditioning and Limiting Beliefs
Before you successfully start deconditioning (becoming aware of and breaking free from your conditioning) and confronting your limiting beliefs, you need to know what these terms mean and how they impact your life.
Conditioning
Conditioning is the external influences and experiences that shape your beliefs and behaviors. These are some of the inputs that come from family expectations, societal norms, and cultural standards. Conditioning can shape your perception of success, worthiness, and what acceptable is. For example, if you were raised with the conditioning that you had to work really hard in order to be successful, you may overexert yourself in your job and feel burned out and unhappy. But not only that, you won’t even realize there are other options available to you. That spaciousness and a slow calm approach is a choice as well.
Limiting Beliefs
Limiting Beliefs are strongly held convictions about life that limit your potential. They come across more often as negative self-talk or another similar inner script that clearly devalues your confidence and capabilities. For example, if you are starting your own business is hard, then this belief will stand in the way of your taking the necessary steps to create more ease and freedom in your business. Such limiting beliefs or thoughts aren't just static; rather, they become dynamic forces leading to perceptions about yourself and your abilities in reality.
The Interplay Between Conditioning and Limiting Beliefs
Conditioning and limiting beliefs are very intertwined and, in most cases, reinforce each other. Conditioning could lead to the entrenchment of limiting beliefs by setting up your perception of self, and what you can achieve or accomplish. When you are continually bombarded with the same message over and over again from external sources, this eventually solidifies into beliefs, which limit your potential.
For example, someone programmed to connect the concept of hard work and success with constant work, will gradually begin to build an identity around being an "overworker" or “overachiever”. This identity is not some outer tag but becomes who you are. It’s now a limiting identity. And behaving in a way outside of this identity creates a feeling of being at odds with oneself. You now feel the only way to make things happen in your business is to always be “booked and busy”. There is no time to reset, because rest means failure, or even worse, laziness! All of this internal discord usually results in creating stress and a feeling of inadequacy.
Integrating Human Design
Looking at the nine centers in your Human Design chart you can get a picture of where you are likely to be the most impacted by conditioning. We have nine centers that represent different aspects of our lives (like thinking, communication, emotions, etc). Each of these centers can be influenced by conditioning, which in turn can create limiting beliefs. Here’s how each center can be affected in terms of conditioning vs the associated limiting belief.
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The Centers
The Head Center
This is where ideas and inspiration come in. If your Head Center is undefined (or open), you might find yourself overwhelmed by other people’s thoughts and ideas. This can lead to confusion about your own beliefs.
Conditioning: Feeling pressured to have all the answers or to constantly think about things that aren’t relevant to you.
Limiting Belief: “I have to figure everything out on my own.”
The Ajna Center
The Ajna is all about processing information and forming opinions. If it’s undefined, you might struggle with certainty and feel like you always need to be right or have a fixed point of view.
Conditioning: Feeling insecure about not knowing everything or needing to appear knowledgeable.
Limiting Belief: “I can’t make decisions because I’m never 100% sure.”
The Throat Center
This center is all about communication and manifestation. An undefined Throat can make you feel like you’re not being heard or that you need to talk constantly to prove your worth.
Conditioning: Believing that your voice isn’t important or that you need to talk more to be noticed.
Limiting Belief: “I’m not a good communicator; no one listens to me.”
The G Center
The G Center is your sense of identity and direction. If it’s undefined, you might feel lost or unsure about who you are or where you’re headed.
Conditioning: Feeling like you need to change who you are to fit in or be loved.
Limiting Belief: “I don’t really know who I am or what I want.”
The Will Center
This center is all about willpower and self-worth. An undefined Will Center can make you feel like you need to prove yourself or work extra hard to earn your place.
Conditioning: Feeling like you have to prove your worth through achievements or financial success.
Limiting Belief: “I have to work harder than everyone else to be valued.”
The Solar Plexus Center
This is the center of emotions and feelings. If it’s undefined, you might find yourself avoiding conflict or trying to keep everyone happy, often at your own expense.
Conditioning: Believing that you need to keep the peace or hide your true feelings to avoid upsetting others.
Limiting Belief: “My feelings don’t matter as much as others’.”
The Sacral Center
The Sacral is the powerhouse of life force energy, responsible for work and reproduction. If you have this center undefined, you might struggle with knowing when enough is enough, leading to burnout.
Conditioning: Feeling pressured to always be doing something, even when you’re exhausted.
Limiting Belief: “I have to keep going, even when I’m tired.”
The Spleen Center
This center is about intuition and survival instincts. An undefined Spleen might make you hold onto things (or people) that aren’t good for you, out of fear.
Conditioning: Believing that you need to stick with what’s familiar, even if it’s not serving you.
Limiting Belief: “I can’t let go; it’s too risky.”
The Root Center
The Root is linked to stress and adrenaline. If it’s undefined, you might feel constant pressure to start or finish things quickly, leading to unnecessary stress and mistakes.
Conditioning: Feeling like you’re always running out of time or under pressure to achieve.
Limiting Belief: “I can’t relax; there’s too much to do.”
Awareness is the first step
Strategies for Deconditioning and Transforming Limiting Beliefs
Knowing how it has been conditioning you is only half the battle, in fact, the easy half. Now comes the real action. Doing the work of deconditioning and releasing. Here are some strategies that will boost deconditioning and hurry up your process of releasing those pesky limiting beliefs:
Mindfulness and Reflection: Mindfulness practices raise your consciousness and enable the witnessing of conditioned patterns and limited beliefs in a non-judgmental way. In regular mindfulness practice, you would be able to separate what is yours from what is conditioned upon you. Reflect back on your Human Design chart and review the list above to know how this conditioning is impacting you. It is this kind of self-awareness that begins the process of meaningful transformation.
Affirmations and Positive Self-Talk: One of the most popular techniques to reformat limiting beliefs is through the use of affirmations. Use affirmations that directly oppose the negative personal beliefs you have floating around in your head. This will help with raising your self-esteem. For instance, when plagued by self-doubt, repeat an affirmation like "I am capable, and I deserve to succeed." You can also use affirmations directly related to the center in your chart that needs deconditioning. For example, if you have an undefined throat you may say, “I communicate clearly and effectively”. Keep repeating your affirmations and over time, you can reprogram the subconscious mind to align with a more empowered self-image.
Reframing: This is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) technique that means viewing a belief from a different perspective to create one that is more positive and empowering. For example, if you believe in setbacks as failures, then you can change your beliefs to say that a setback is an opportunity for learning. There are so many more NLP techniques that can help you shift from limiting patterns to constructive ones. If you would like 1:1 support, I invite you to take a look at the options available here.
Journaling: Probably the most proactive approach toward studying and changing your limiting beliefs is keeping a journal. You can use journaling prompts to learn about and dispute your limiting beliefs, and then write about new, empowering beliefs you want to embrace. Journaling helps to clear out your mind and to lock in positive shifts. You might want to keep a journal through your progression, and even sometimes look back on your journey of transformation.
Visualization: Visualization, helps to support the embodiment of new beliefs and identities. Visualize yourself living in your dream reality. Experiencing the success and fulfillment that come along with being on the path of your true Self. What is this version of you doing? What do they think and believe? How do they act? Visualization helps to generate a blueprint of the of the most successful version of you. It will also keep you motivated and aligned with your goals, better able to take any necessary actions, as well as keep you energetically open to opportunities.
Self-Compassion: As you go ahead with these processes, be kind to yourself. Know that shifts in deep-seated habits take their time. Subconscious reprogramming can take time. Be patient with yourself. Reward each tiny step in the right direction. Be gentle with yourself. Self-compassion supports a gentle and sustainable way of personal growth that helps you cope with life through hard times.
Shift Your Perspective
Understanding the difference between limiting beliefs and conditioning is a powerful first step toward creating the life you want. By recognizing how these forces shape your thoughts and actions, and using tools like Human Design to guide you, you can start to break free from the patterns that have been holding you back. Remember, it’s a journey… one that requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to explore who you truly are. So, take it one step at a time, and know that each small shift brings you closer to living in alignment with your highest self.
Looking for a little extra support?
abundance Perspective: ALIGNMENT & ABUNDANCE COACHINGFor coaches & course creators ready to release their limiting beliefs and grow an aligned business without the struggle, frustration, and fear.
The Genius Activation Reading: For conscious SoulPrenuersThis reading is meant to give you clarity on your soul’s purpose and direction while emphasizing the innate gifts and traits meant to guide you there.
