I never believed I was capable of success until I ditched these 5 limiting beliefs to start seeing my own potential

Have you ever told yourself that success is for other people but not for you?

I used to feel that way every single day. I’d look at people who were thriving in their careers and personal lives, and I’d assume they had a secret sauce I’d never access.

Deep down, I believed I wasn’t made of the “right stuff.” And when those beliefs become your reality, it’s almost impossible to see any potential in yourself.

I spent years moving through life with a nagging sense of unworthiness. I tried a corporate career, ticking all the conventional boxes, but I couldn’t shake off the suspicion that I was living someone else’s plan. Turns out, I was building my life around a cluster of limiting beliefs that kept me small.

It wasn’t until I started identifying and ditching these toxic narratives that things changed—and by “changed,” I mean everything opened up in ways I never thought possible.

Here are the five limiting beliefs that kept me from seeing my own potential, and how letting them go helped me finally believe in my capacity for success.

1. I thought success required following society’s blueprint

For the longest time, I believed success was all about climbing up well-worn ladders—good grades, good job, big house, nice car.

That’s how society spells it out, right?

The trouble is, society’s blueprint never considered my unique skills, passions, and temperament. And the more I tried to conform, the more I drifted away from who I actually was.

Growing up, I was fascinated by philosophy and psychology. I studied political science at university, hoping to explore questions about personal agency and how individuals fit into bigger social structures.

But when I stepped into the corporate world, all of that curiosity shrank under Key Performance Indicators and spreadsheets. The pressure to follow the standard blueprint left me feeling like an imposter, even though I was doing everything I was “supposed” to do.

Then a lightbulb went off.

I realized that I didn’t need permission from society to carve my own path. I wanted to create my own ventures—ones that combined my love for big ideas with a community for transformative insights.

That’s how my platform Ideapod began. Letting go of the belief that I had to follow everyone else’s template was the first step toward seeing the possibilities that actually resonated with me.

If you find yourself feeling boxed in by someone else’s definition of success, consider what you truly want. Maybe it’s building a side hustle around an art project or diving into a completely different industry.

As soon as you let go of the blueprint others have handed you, you’ll see a myriad of new paths opening up.

2. I believed I wasn’t smart enough

Have you ever compared yourself to those people who speak eloquently, master new skills in a snap, and seemingly know everything?

That was me, 24/7.

I’d watch interviews or read articles by successful entrepreneurs, thinkers, and authors and think, “I can’t do that, I’m not on that level.”

This limiting belief made me afraid to take risks, to speak up, or to experiment with new projects. I was terrified of exposing my “lack of intelligence.”

But here’s the kicker: intelligence isn’t a fixed trait.

Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on the growth mindset shows that our abilities can expand when we’re open to learning and see challenges as opportunities. That was a huge revelation for me.

When I shifted my perspective to a growth mindset, I started asking more questions, taking more courses, and exploring unfamiliar domains.

That’s when I discovered that “being smart” isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about developing curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. Once I unshackled myself from the idea that my intelligence was static, I felt more comfortable tackling new projects—even if I failed at some of them.

I remember the first time I posted a video online, sharing some half-formed ideas about society and authenticity. I was convinced people would mock my “lack of expertise.”

Instead, I got messages from viewers who found my questions refreshing, even if I didn’t have a perfectly polished argument. That moment reaffirmed that progress is more valuable than perfection.

If you’re feeling held back by doubts about your smarts, just remember that intelligence grows every time you choose to learn.

3. I felt I had to be perfect before I started

There’s a persistent myth out there that you need to be 110% ready before you launch anything new.

Want to start a business? Wait until you have the perfect plan, the perfect website, the perfect marketing strategy.

Want to publish that novel? Write ten drafts, get a dozen editors, and then maybe—just maybe—you’re good enough.

My personal version of this was thinking I needed absolute mastery before I could call myself “qualified.” But that logic is paralyzing.

If you never start because you’re trying to be flawless, you’ll never learn through action. And ironically, hands-on experience is exactly how you grow and refine your craft.

When I started Ideapod, I had no clue about scaling a tech-driven platform. I was figuring out code, community management, content creation—all at once.

There were definitely awkward stages and stumbles along the way. Yet each hiccup taught me something valuable.

This is exactly why working on your mindset is such a game-changer.

I want to mention here a resource that helped me break free from the perfectionism trap: Ruda Iande’s “Free Your Mind” masterclass. It’s an excellent way to dive deeper into why we cling to these limiting notions and how to move past them.

If perfectionism is holding you back, the tools you’ll pick up can be transformative.

4. I equated success with wealth and status

For the longest time, I thought real achievement looked like a bank account with seven figures and a sleek title under my name.

That’s what all the ads on social media told me, anyway. So when I was still stuck in my modest job or living out of a suitcase as a digital nomad, I assumed I hadn’t “made it.”

But then I started questioning what success even means. Is it purely a financial metric, or is it also about how fulfilled and purposeful you feel day to day?

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once remarked, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” It’s a phrase that stuck with me.

A strong personal “why” often matters more than the external markers of status. And ironically, once you align with that deeper sense of purpose, the external rewards might just follow.

I realized that success for me was found in meaningful conversations, in producing content that challenges mainstream narratives, and in building a community that values exploration and personal growth.

Don’t get me wrong—money is important. But it’s not the sole measure of a life well-lived.

If your primary goal is to earn accolades or flaunt a fancy job title, you’re probably chasing someone else’s version of success.

When you detach from that and discover what truly animates you, you’ll find genuine fulfillment. And that’s a form of success that no bank statement or LinkedIn profile can rival.

5. I allowed past failures to define me

Failure has a way of painting everything in its own bleak color.

After a major project fell through or a relationship ended badly, I’d spiral into shame and self-doubt. I assumed those mishaps meant I’d never cut it.

But that’s like saying a single missed shot in basketball means you’re doomed to fail every time you play.

What helped me see failure differently was something I learned from Carl Jung’s perspective on the unconscious mind. He suggested that a lot of our self-sabotaging behaviors stem from unacknowledged beliefs about ourselves.

My repeated negativity around past failures was quietly shaping my present decisions. I was holding back from new possibilities because I was certain they’d end in disaster, just like before.

Here’s what changed everything: I began to view each failure as evidence that I’m trying.

If you attempt something new, you automatically invite the possibility of mistakes. But each mistake gives you a clearer roadmap of what not to do next time.

Some of my biggest breakthroughs happened right after a failure—a bizarre realization that taught me to appreciate the lessons hidden in every misstep.

Instead of letting your past define your future, use it as a teacher. Sometimes the only difference between a “failure” and a “learning experience” is the story you choose to tell yourself.

Conclusion

Letting go of these five limiting beliefs was like stepping out of a dark room into fresh sunlight.

All the paths that once seemed beyond my reach began to look possible—even exciting. I realized I had the capacity to shape my own life, rather than letting outdated notions dictate my choices.

If you’re finding it tough to rewrite your own limiting narratives, remember that real transformation starts with one step. Even a small mental shift can build momentum in a powerful way.

In my own journey, I found great value in RudaIande’s “Free Your Mind” masterclass—it offers practical techniques to recognize and replace destructive beliefs. I wholeheartedly recommend it if you’re feeling stuck.

Don’t let old beliefs about your worth or your intelligence limit you. If you question those beliefs, you just might discover the untapped well of potential lying beneath them.

When you do, success won’t feel like some distant dream. It’ll be the natural result of finally stepping into who you really are.