Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: How to Find Real Motivation and Move Forward

Hey there, friend. I want to talk to you about something that hits close to home: that feeling of not being where you want to be in life. You know the one—the restlessness, the frustration, the quiet (or sometimes not-so-quiet) voice saying, “Shouldn’t I be further along by now?” If simply not being where we want to be was enough motivation, we’d all be living our best lives already. But clearly, that’s not how this story goes. We all struggle with overcoming limiting beliefs.

I’ve been there. People often look at me—someone who was abandoned as a baby, who’s now a keynote speaker and leadership mentor—and assume I’ve always been confident and driven. Trust me, it’s been a journey. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that true and real motivation has to be rooted deeper than a passing meme on social media.

So let’s cut through the noise and dig into the real reasons we get stuck. Here’s a roadmap to help you recognize your own blocks and find a motivation that truly lights you up.

1. Own Your “Why”

I can’t say this often enough: surface-level inspiration fades fast. Real motivation grows when you connect your goals to something personal and meaningful. Not just “I want to make more money” or “I want a bigger house,” but the deeper reason why those things matter.

For me, a big piece of my “why” has always been proving to myself (and maybe the world) that our beginnings don’t have to define our endings. I’ve used that to fuel my passion for mentoring others—my personal mantra is that it doesn’t matter how you entered the world, it matters how you leave it. When you dig into your own story, you’ll find that spark waiting for you, too.

2. Call Out Fear and Limiting Beliefs

Let’s get real: a lot of us are stuck because we’re scared. Maybe it’s fear of failure or fear of success (yep, that’s real). Maybe it’s a voice saying, “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never catch up.”

I’ve had to confront plenty of those thoughts in my life—especially when I stepped on stage for the first time to speak in front of thousands of people. But here’s the trick: speak it out loud. Write it down. Look that fear in the face and say, “I see you.” When we name our fears, we rob them of the power to define us.

3. Have a Plan (a.k.a. Implementation Intentions)

If you’ve hung around me long enough, you know I’m all about actionable steps, not just fluffy advice. A concept called “implementation intentions” is a big help here. It’s basically setting up an “if–then” plan so you know how you’ll respond to challenges.

Example: “If I wake up feeling anxious about going to the gym, I’ll do a quick 5-minute stretch at home before deciding my next move.”

Giving yourself a roadmap means you’re not blindly hoping you’ll find the motivation—you’re making it easier to do the thing you said you’d do.

4. Embrace the Growth Mindset

Listen, your past doesn’t lock you in a cage. I’m living proof that wherever you start, you can keep growing, keep learning, keep evolving. Carol Dweck’s research on the growth mindset shows that if you believe your abilities can develop with effort and time, you’re far more likely to push through obstacles.

So start small. If you mess up, remind yourself that mistakes are stepping stones, not dead ends. Even a baby step forward is still forward motion.

5. Create Accountability (Yes, You Need It)

We all like to think we can go it alone. But the truth is, we thrive in supportive communities. As a mom of four incredible humans, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is to have people cheering you on—or gently holding you accountable—when motivation dips.

Your Move: Find a friend, colleague, or mentor and schedule regular check-ins. Knowing someone else is rooting for you (and checking up on you) can make all the difference on those days when your motivation decides to hide under the covers.

6. Celebrate the Tiny Wins

I’m a big believer in celebrating even the smallest steps. Your brain loves those little jolts of success—it’s like giving yourself an internal high-five. Over time, these moments build momentum.

Pro Tip: Keep a journal or a note on your phone where you track daily wins. It might be anything from “made an important phone call” to “chose a healthier lunch.” These bite-sized victories add up, trust me. I like to call this my "I DID" list.

7. Take One Action—Today

Let me challenge you: don’t let this be just another blog post you skim.

Do something. Right now, grab a notepad (or open a fresh doc on your phone) and write down your biggest goal. Then, list one fear that’s been holding you back and one action you can take today to move forward. Maybe it’s sending an email, making a call, or scheduling that gym session.

The key is simple: action. Real motivation isn’t about feeling inspired 24/7; it’s about deciding to do the work even when you don’t feel like it.

Wrapping It Up

Not being where you want to be can spark some motivation, sure. But if that was enough on its own, we’d all be unstoppable! Real, lasting motivation comes from connecting with your deeper “why,” calling out your fears, making a plan, embracing the growth mindset, leaning on accountability, and celebrating every win along the way.

And remember, it doesn’t matter how you came into this world—it’s how you leave it that matters. So go and make a move today that your future self will thank you for.

I’m cheering you on from the sidelines (and sometimes from the stage). You’ve got this—step by step, you’re writing a story that’s uniquely yours, and I can’t wait to see where it leads.

If you found value in this, pass it on. We’re all in this together, and the more we lift each other up, the higher we can all rise.

Cheers! LeeAnne