We come into this world with different backgrounds, different families, and different belief systems; and as we go through life we begin to realize that we’re holding very tightly onto quite definite beliefs about many different aspects of our lives. Unfortunately, we then begin to realize that some of these beliefs are not positive influences, and that, in fact, they’re negatively impacting on our lives.

Most of us are aware of the limiting beliefs surrounding money, and after a session with a good psychologist we begin to realize that the beliefs we hold about money are not actually our own beliefs - they’re more likely to be the opinions and sayings of the prominent adults in our lives - yet these beliefs and sayings have simply stayed with us and become our own belief system. It’s these limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving our translation career goals; and it probably wouldn’t take much reflection on your part to recall negative statements from (say) a parent, teacher, pastor, family member or another adult about how money is ‘the root of all evil’ and so on.

Don’t Be Influenced by Other People’s Limiting Beliefs

So when a prominent adult tells a child they can’t do something, like (let’s say) become a ballerina or even a translation expert, that comment alone can be enough to put an immediate halt to that child’s goal of becoming a ballet dancer. And, to take it further, when your college professor tells you that you don’t have what it takes to become a writer, artist, or whatever your dream may be, that comment can (and often does) determine whether you’ll continue striving to live your dream. That simple negative statement can turn someone’s hopes and dreams upside down, and be enough to make them take another direction in life. Sad but true; as adults we’ve become highly influenced by, and drawn into, other people’s limiting beliefs.

It Takes Work, but It Can Be Done!

Destroying these limiting beliefs does take work, but it can certainly be done - by setting defined goals, finding a good mentor, taking small steps toward your goals, and (as-much-as-possible) ignoring other people’s comments and beliefs.

Another barrier to achieving success is that we’re often way too concerned about why we haven’t achieved success when other people have. In other words, we sabotage our own success by focusing on the external factors that separate us from successful people that we admire so much, and tell ourselves that the reason we’re being held back is because of these unchangeable factors – such as: Bob has such great connections, Bob went to a top-quality private school, Bob is so much smarter than I am, Bob had a privileged childhood, and so on. Focusing on these types of beliefs is simply an excuse to do nothing: it’s the reason you give yourself for staying in your current state.

This is a very self-defeating attitude and one we’re not always aware of having. It’s also important to point out that limiting beliefs are not only prevalent amongst freelance translators – it’s everywhere! But, for the purpose of this post we are discussing psychological barriers to success when it comes to freelance translators.

Have a look at the points below and see if any of these might assist you in ridding yourself of limiting beliefs.

How Well Do You Accept Compliments?

You’re not alone when it comes to accepting (or not graciously accepting) compliments, and because many translators are naturally self-effacing people they naturally discount anything positive that’s said about them. This is simply a very bad habit, and it’s one that you can start changing right now – force yourself to accept compliments!