Top 5 Beliefs That Hold Women Back Professionally

We have all been there.  We see our friends and coworkers advancing in their careers while we are feeling stagnant.  We immediately begin comparing ourselves to others and try to figure out what we are doing wrong.  We might begin  blaming external factors.  

My scapegoat was my husband.  Often unspoken, and sometimes spoken, I would blame him for not making enough money for me to quit my corporate job to start my own business.  And that was just the tip of the blaming.  I would find any external barrier to blame rather than facing the truth....which was the fact that my own limited beliefs were holding me back.  If you are ready to take a real honest look at what's been holding you back, then keep reading.  

In my Next Level Life Purpose Coaching Program I work with Professional Women who are high achieving, driven women who feel unfulfilled, stuck, and frustrated.  We work on creating clarity on what is holding them back so we can release the obstacles and transform their professional and personal lives.  Through my work, I have come to identify the most common self defeating beliefs that keep us stuck and playing small.  

The top 5 self limiting beliefs that hold women back professionally (and often bleed into personal life) include:

• "I am not good enough".  Did you know that 80% of women believe they are not good enough.  80 PERCENT!  That is insane!  Why do we put ourself down like this? I will tell you why.  We have hidden core beliefs that are creating your reality and are running the show.  80-90% of our beliefs are  in our unconscious, yet we are reacting to situations based upon these beliefs.  These beliefs were formed during childhood and carried into adulthood, which creates some internal conflicts, which then turn into harmful behaviors.  For instance, if we had a parent that left us when we were younger, we can believe that they left because of something we did, which creates a belief in adulthood that we are broken or not good enough, which then can create the behavior of pushing others away or not speaking up for a raise or promotion.  
• "I can't speak up". This can be for a number of reasons, but the one I want to focus on includes the fear that others will judge us or not like us.  We have been conditioned to believe that we need everyone's approval and to not 'rock the boat'.  We are taught to be reserved.  We are taught to be modest.  
• "I will never get ahead".  We never feel like we have enough.  Enough money.  Enough time.  Enough support.  This is both a scarcity mindset and playing the victim role.  We create our reality, so as long s you hold true to these beliefs, this will be your reality.  
• "What if I fail".  Nobody likes to fail, but women take it particularly hard.  Studies show that women are so aversive to failure that they typically don't apply for a job unless they feel 100% qualified.  Women tend to hold themselves to a higher standard, and others tend to do the same.   
• "It's too late for me to___".  I was recently speaking with a woman who believed she had already lived her best life and she should just accept that.  This belief is actually what led her to sign up for the Next Level Life Purpose Coaching Program.  It is never too late.  You are never too old.  Remember...dreams never expire.  

It is important to recognize the internal beliefs that keep us stuck.  We can only challenge our beliefs if we are aware of them.  Now that I have identified a few for you, what are the ones you resonate with, and what are some that haven't been listed?  

If you are ready to gain more clarity in what has been holding you back from expanding and you are ready to learn ways to release these limited beliefs so you can expand into your best life, check out the Next Level Life Purpose for Professional Women Facebook Group. 

Sending much love and light, LJ