The Invisible Limits Holding You Back (And How to Change Them)

When we fail to make desired progress in life, most of us put the blame on physical and environmental limits. But my guest says that what's really holding people back is what's in their heads.

Nir Eyal is the author of Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results. Today on the show, he argues that much of how we think about ourselves, our abilities, and what’s possible becomes our reality, and that getting what we want in life often comes down to changing how we perceive it. Drawing on research in neuroscience and psychology, Nir shares the three powers of belief, and how they direct your attention, alter your expectations, shape your sense of agency, and determine whether you stick with hard things long enough to see results. Along the way, he shares ways to identify and challenge the limiting beliefs that can sabotage your goals and relationships.

Resources Related to the Podcast

• Nir's previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #553 — How to Become Indistractable
• AoM Article: How Reframing Builds Resilience
• AoM podcast episode on William James and pragmatism

Connect with Nir Eyal

• Nir's website

Thanks to This Week’s Podcast Sponsor

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0:00 - Introduction

1:41 - Meet Nir Eyal & Beyond Belief

2:04 - Nir's 30-Year Struggle with Weight

5:04 - The Missing Factor in Motivation (Belief Triangle)

7:49 - Beliefs vs. Facts vs. Faith

9:16 - Beliefs Are Tools, Not Truths

13:15 - Power of Belief #1: Attention (We Don't See Reality Clearly)

17:46 - Seeing Isn't Believing — Believing Is Seeing

22:46 - Rumination & How It Deepens Limiting Beliefs

24:27 - The Turnaround: 4 Questions to Challenge Faulty Beliefs (Nir's Mom Story)

36:10 - Power of Belief #2: Anticipation (Placebo Steroids & Wine Study)

45:00 - Power of Belief #3: Agency (Internal vs. External Locus of Control)

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