Are these limiting-beliefs holding you back?

Are Limiting-Beliefs Holding You Back?

As a voice coach, one of the most common issues that singers have with their voices is actually their own limiting beliefs. A limiting belief is any belief or opinion that may or may not be relevant to you and your life that ultimately colours the choices you make and consistently leads to the same result - failure.

This relates to any pursuit in life, sports, business, our social lives - in my field, an example of a limiting belief is someone who might say they "have a bad voice", even though there is no such thing as a bad voice, only an untrained and unbalanced voice. Sure, there are those that possess a natural aptitude towards singing, just like in any field, someone might be a natural whiz at Math, or Football, but these are also learned skills that can be developed with time, just like great singing. This person may then take a singing lesson or two and will likely decide it's all too hard "because they have a bad voice" without realising that singing is ultimately a process of balance that takes time and perseverance, and the voice they have now has little in common with the powerful voice they WILL achieve over time with consistent practice.

There's something about singing in particular that often makes people very opinionated, especially when it relates to things they are personally unable to do. In singing, the registers are always a sore point for many singers who lack a proper connection between their low and high range, and they form all sorts of limiting beliefs and opinions to explain and label "why" they are unable to connect their voice like other singers - without realising their approach, beliefs and opinions are likely the reason their voices are lacking.

I've also experienced limiting beliefs in the field of teaching too, both as a vocal coach and former guitar teacher of 15 years. One of my own limiting beliefs as a budding singer is that my low baritone voice was a 'second class instrument' and I just didn't have the same instrument that someone with an "impressive Tenor voice" had, and made all sorts of excuses for what was really just poor technique and laziness. Over time I managed to break through my own limiting beliefs and build a formidable and impressive range that now sees me coaching students around the world and helping others break through barriers in their voices - not bad for an 'inferior' instrument, right? Now, once upon a time I actually had a voice coach who SUPPORTED my limiting belief that my voice wasn't suited for singing rock, or singing anything other than a low mumble - but ultimately, this was a sign of his own inability to coach me effectively, not a reflection of my capabilities as a singer or the possibilities I had within my reach, and beyond.

I see this sort of 'limiting' behavior everywhere, on the street, in cabs, in students, in parents, in friends and I sometimes just chuckle to myself - doesn't anyone else see the possibilities, opportunities and greatness that is possible when you simply believe in yourself?