What’s Really Holding You Back in Your Career?
- ishikalatwal
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
There is something that doesn’t make much noise yet quietly controls your career path, your confidence, and even your leadership journey.
It is not your skills, degrees, or workload. It is your beliefs.
How Do You Know If You’re Stuck in Limiting Beliefs?
Think about this: have you ever caught yourself saying…
“I’m not ready for that next role yet.”
“People like me don’t really get promoted.”
“I’m too quiet to be a strong leader.”
“I always mess up when it matters most.”
“I can’t speak up.”
These are not truths. They are programmed thoughts you’ve picked up from childhood experiences, early failures, or voices of doubt around you. The real problem is that you don’t act on the truth, you act on what you believe to be true.
The Silent Career Blocker
Limiting beliefs create an internal ceiling that no boss, title, or workload can impose on you. They sound logical and familiar but if left unchecked, they quietly anchor you to the same level no matter how talented or hardworking you are.
As an executive coach, I see this pattern often. Brilliant professionals stop themselves with “I can’t” before they even try. And the truth is, most of these beliefs are not even theirs. They are borrowed narratives.
Rewiring Your Beliefs
Here’s a simple exercise to begin shifting your beliefs:
Write them down. List the beliefs that often hold you back.
Challenge them. Ask: Is this absolutely true? What evidence exists for the opposite?
Identify the voice. Is this really yours, or does it belong to someone else from your past?
Reframe it. Replace limiting thoughts with empowering ones. For example:
Instead of “I’m not a good leader,” say “I’m learning to lead in my own way.”
Instead of “People don’t like me,” say “I have something valuable to contribute.”
Why This Matters More Than Skills or Degrees
The gap between where you are and where you want to be is rarely about credentials or resources. It is almost always about what you believe is possible for yourself.
One belief at a time can reshape your leadership identity, your career trajectory, and your future.
Remember
You are not your beliefs. You are the thinker behind them. The moment you choose a different belief, you choose a different result.
If you found this helpful, you may also enjoy reading my earlier blog:
Your Good Friend and Coach
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