If you told me a year ago I’d be writing a blog post about breaking limiting beliefs—for a business I co-founded, no less—I probably would have probably looked at you slightly confused. For a long time, I didn’t think of myself as someone who had what it took to be a founder, let alone someone capable of turning a passion into something real.

But here we are. Adapt exists. And along the way, I’ve had to confront more than a few deeply ingrained beliefs about myself. It’s still a work in progress (because, let’s be honest, who has it all figured out?), but I’ve learned a lot about how these invisible mental blocks can hold us back and what it takes to dismantle them.

Here’s what I’ve found useful. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but these lessons have helped me go from feeling stuck and unsure to launching something I’m genuinely proud of.

My Love/Hate Relationship with My Inner Dialogue

If I’m being honest, my inner dialogue and I have always had a complicated relationship. On good days, it’s my biggest yes-man, firing me up with excitement and possibility. On bad days, though, it’s a relentless critic, pointing out everything that could go wrong and it seems like it's normal state is just 'constantly lingering self-doubt'.

This tug-of-war has made breaking limiting beliefs even more challenging. But it’s also taught me something crucial: I don’t have to silence the critical voice entirely. Instead, I’ve learned to acknowledge it without letting it take the wheel. Some days, that means journaling to untangle my thoughts; other days, it’s as simple as taking a deep breath and saying, “I hear you, but we’re doing this anyway.” It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.

In my opinion, that’s probably why so many successful people come across as arrogant or even borderline psychopathic. People often assume that money or success makes them arrogant, but I think it’s the other way around. They’ve always had this sheer, almost delusional self-belief—the kind that drowns out any inner critic. That belief propels them into positions where they succeed because they’re so convinced they will.

While I don’t think unchecked arrogance is something to aspire to, there’s something undeniably powerful about that level of conviction. It’s not about copying their arrogance but learning from their self-belief. For me, the goal has been to cultivate a healthier version of that mindset—one where I trust myself enough to act, but also stay humble and open to learning along the way.

1. Recognise Your Limiting Beliefs (Even If They Feel Like Facts)

Limiting beliefs are sneaky. They often masquerade as facts. For me, one of the loudest was, “You don't know enough to run a business.” It sounded logical. I'm 26. Only ever worked in tech. I’ve never made a TikTok. Michael (my co-founder) and I are both navigating this as first-timers. But the more I unpacked that thought, the more I realised it was just fear in disguise—fear of failing, of being judged, of stepping outside my comfort zone.

The first step is catching those beliefs in the act. Start questioning them. Are they actually true, or are they stories you’ve been telling yourself? Writing them down helps; seeing those thoughts on paper can make them feel less powerful.

2. Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

Breaking limiting beliefs requires discomfort. It’s not fun, but it’s necessary. I had to stop avoiding situations where I felt out of my depth—like negotiating with logistics providers or planning content for TikTok (a platform that still terrifies me, by the way).

What helped was reframing discomfort as growth. I reminded myself that if something felt hard or unfamiliar, it was probably because I was learning. The goal isn’t to eliminate discomfort but to make peace with it. The more you do something the more you'll gradually break limiting belief with that specific topic.

3. Surround Yourself With People Who See Your Potential

It makes such a big difference having people in your corner who believe in you—even when you’re doubting yourself.

For me, my friends have been those people. They're alway the first to provide both motivational and constructive advice. A little gas up whenever I have one of those "wtf am I doing" moments. Michael (Adapt's other co-founder) too. He’s always had this calm, science-backed confidence in what we’re building, and it’s contagious. He’ll pull me back by reminding me why we started Adapt in the first place: to help people navigate modern stress through natural solutions and fulfil their potential. 

It's similar to the motivation rush and the buzz you get when you speak to someone about Adapt's products, loves the taste or the idea, and then the validation feeling of "oh yeah, this IS great".

If you don’t already have people like this in your life, seek them out. It could be a mentor, a friend, or even an online community. Surround yourself with encouragement and constructive feedback, not naysayers.

4. Take Small, Consistent Actions

Breaking limiting beliefs isn’t about waking up one day and deciding you’re a completely new person. It’s about chipping away at them bit by bit. I’ve found that small wins build momentum.

For example, early on, I was terrified of sharing Adapt on social media. I’d overthink every caption, convinced it wasn’t good enough. So I started small: one post, one honest caption, one interaction with someone who resonated with what we were saying. Over time, those little actions added up, and the fear started to lose its grip.

5. Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This

Whenever I feel like I’m not enough, I go back to my “why.” For me, it’s personal. Adapt exists because I went through burnout and struggled to find balance. I wanted something better—for myself and for others.

Your “why” doesn’t have to be perfect or profound. It just has to matter to you. Write it down. Pin it somewhere visible on your desk so you can look at it easily when those limiting beliefs sneak in. 

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

If there’s one thing I’m still learning, it’s this: you don’t have to wait until you’ve completely “figured it out” to celebrate. Every step forward counts.

Starting Adapt has been messy and imperfect, but it’s also been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. And honestly, the imperfections make it feel more real. No one has all the answers, and that’s okay.

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s all well and good, but I’m still stuck,” know this: you’re not alone. Limiting beliefs are part of being human. But they’re not unbreakable. With time, effort, and a little self-compassion, you can rewrite those stories. The more outside your comfort zone you get, the more confidence you'll build and the more those limiting beliefs will stay out. It just takes time.

You’ve got this.

– Christian