“I never had a chance”
“I’m not good enough”
“I’m too old, too young, too short, too …”

Self-limiting beliefs. In a way, they’re like the worst kind of obstacle, because they’re coming from inside you.

But I’m willing to bet that’s not where they started.

Most self-limiting beliefs actually came from someone else.

Somebody telling you no.
Somebody telling you that you didn’t have what it takes.
Somebody suggesting you shouldn’t run that race, apply for that job, or finally write that book you’ve been dreaming about.

Those thoughts were never really yours to begin with. And yet, how many of us still carry those voices around, long after the person who said the words is gone? They echo quietly in the background, shaping our choices, dimming our confidence, making us hesitate just enough to miss the moment.

It’s sneaky, isn’t it? The way one offhand comment from a teacher, a parent, or a boss can harden into a belief we live by. “Be realistic.” “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” “You’re not like them.” Over time, those messages become invisible walls – the kind we stop trying to climb because we’ve mistaken them for the edge of our potential.

But here’s the truth: every self-limiting belief can be traced back to a single moment when you decided to agree.

That’s it.

Somewhere along the line, you nodded your head (consciously or not) and said, “They must be right.” But if that’s true, then the opposite is, too: you can decide to disagree. You can rewrite the story. Until you challenge these lies you’re carrying, you’re living their story. But what if you aren’t too old? What if you might have a chance? What if you are good enough? You’re the only one who can answer that.

When you stop echoing old voices and start listening to your own, the limits dissolve.

And when they do, you’ll finally become the hero of your story.

“The Self Publishing Agency is by far THE BEST in the business.” — Kristine Carlson, multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author.

TSPA — The Self Publishing Agency — follows the same standards as trade publishers while ensuring entrepreneurial authors maintain full control of their professionally published books. Plus, TSPA authors receive 100% of their royalties.

This is why New York Times bestselling authors, CEOs, Olympians, athletes, actors, business leaders, and everyday storytellers choose The Self Publishing Agency as their publishing partner.

Thinking about becoming an author?

Take a moment today to think about the things you’ve always wanted to do, to achieve, to become, that for whatever reason you haven’t pursued. I want you to interrogate why you haven’t. That’s how you’re going to discover your limiting beliefs.

Once you know what they are, you can start taking steps to confront them. And own your story.

Please reply to this email and tell me what you're going to do to discover what's holding you back. I read every response.

For writers, keynote speakers, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who want to turn their book into a bestseller and bring their story to the stage as an independent author, TSPA — The Self Publishing Agency — is the trusted standard in the publishing industry.