Hey there, Cam Dunlap here!
During a recent goal-setting session with my Inner Circle members, something really interesting bubbled up. One of our newer investors was struggling to scale beyond their first few deals — not because of market conditions or lack of capital, but because of something far more insidious: limiting beliefs about wealth and success.
What struck me wasn’t just how much these beliefs were holding this person back, but how I noticed several heads nodding in agreement around the virtual room. This wasn’t an isolated issue — it was a silent epidemic.
So I thought, “This needs addressing beyond just our private session.” Because let’s be honest, we’ve ALL got some funky wiring upstairs when it comes to money and success. Even after 30+ years in real estate, I still catch myself occasionally slipping into old thought patterns.
Let’s dig into what’s really going on in that beautiful brain of yours…
The Invisible Prison of Your Own Making
Ever notice how some people seem to hit a financial ceiling no matter how hard they work? They get to a certain level of success and then… plateau. Or worse, sabotage themselves just as things are taking off.
This isn’t random. And it’s definitely not about luck.
What’s happening is that these folks have bumped up against their internal “wealth thermostat” — a setting programmed deep in their subconscious that determines what level of success feels “normal” or “safe.”
Limiting beliefs about wealth are like invisible prison walls — you can’t see them, but they’re absolutely controlling your movements. 😬
The “Wealthy People Are [Insert Negative Trait]” Myth
During our session, I asked everyone to complete this sentence: “Wealthy people are…”
The responses were eye-opening:
- “Greedy”
- “Dishonest”
- “Lucky”
- “Born into it”
- “Mean”
- “Unethical”
Sound familiar?
These aren’t random thoughts. They’re programmed beliefs that got installed in your mental operating system long before you had any say in the matter.
Here’s the thing — these beliefs are demonstrably false. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with people across the entire wealth spectrum, from those struggling to make rent to billionaires. And I can tell you with absolute certainty: character traits don’t correlate with net worth.
There are kind, generous wealthy people and mean, stingy broke people. There are ethical tycoons and dishonest minimum wage workers.
Wealth doesn’t create character — it reveals it.
The “Change Is Bad” Mental Block
Another limiting belief that came up was this idea that “change is bad” or “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
This one’s particularly dangerous for entrepreneurs because our entire job description is disrupting the status quo!
I shared a story from my early days that got some laughs. Back in the ’90s, I was considering upgrading from my trusty Dodge minivan to something a bit more… reflective of my growing success. But every time I walked into a Mercedes dealership, I’d break into a cold sweat and leave.
My subconscious was screaming: “People like us don’t drive cars like that!”
Sound ridiculous? Maybe. But we all have these invisible boundaries. The question is: Are you aware of yours?
Change isn’t bad — it’s the only constant. Resisting it is like trying to hold back the tide with a plastic bucket. You’re just gonna get wet and look silly doing it.
The “Success Is Luck” Cop-Out
This one’s my personal pet peeve. The belief that success is primarily about luck is the ultimate responsibility-dodger.
Sure, timing and circumstances play a role. I won’t pretend they don’t. But luck is like a bus – it passes by everyone’s stop. The question is: Are you ready to hop on when it comes?
I mentioned Ben Carson during our session — the renowned neurosurgeon who grew up in abject poverty with every statistical factor working against him. Was there some luck involved in his rise? Perhaps…
But what about the thousands of hours of study? The sacrifice? The persistence?
Success is like a recipe that calls for 5% luck and 95% preparation, persistence, and adaptability. But some folks spend their whole lives waiting for that 5% to magically become 100%.
How to Reprogram Your Mental Software
Identifying these limiting beliefs is step one. But awareness alone doesn’t create change. You need a systematic approach to rewiring your brain. Here’s what works:
1. Catch Yourself in the Act
Your brain processes thousands of thoughts daily. Most fly under the radar. Start paying attention to the wealth-related ones.
When you catch yourself thinking “I could never afford that” or “Rich people are just lucky,” flag it. These are your limiting beliefs announcing themselves.
2. Challenge the Thought
Once you’ve caught a limiting belief, challenge it! Ask yourself:
- Is this actually true?
- Where did I learn this?
- What evidence contradicts this belief?
- Who do I know that disproves this?
This creates cognitive dissonance – that uncomfortable feeling when your brain holds two conflicting ideas. That discomfort is the feeling of neural pathways being rewired.
3. Replace with Empowering Alternatives
Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does your mind. Don’t just remove limiting beliefs – replace them with empowering alternatives.
My personal go-to affirmation for decades has been: “I deserve to be healthy, wealthy, and happy.”
I’ve probably said this to myself millions of times. When negative thoughts creep in (and they still do), I immediately counter with this affirmation. I repeat it until the negative thought loses its grip.
It’s like mental jiu-jitsu – using the energy of the negative thought to trigger your positive response.
The Moment of Clarity
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is to actually celebrate being wrong. Sounds counter-intuitive, right?
But here’s the thing: realizing you’re wrong about a limiting belief is a moment of incredible clarity and freedom. It’s like finding out the “locked” door you’ve been sitting beside for years was never actually locked.
I absolutely LOVE those moments when I realize I’ve been wrong about something limiting. Because in that instant, new possibilities open up that weren’t available before.
Being wrong about your limitations is the best kind of wrong there is.
Your Subconscious: Friend or Foe?
Think of your subconscious mind like an overly protective parent. It’s trying to keep you safe, but its definition of “safe” was programmed decades ago.
Limiting beliefs about wealth are like having a financial GPS that’s running on outdated maps. You’re trying to navigate 2025 with directions from 1985.
The good news?
You can update the software. But your subconscious responds to repetition, not logic. That’s why affirmations work when repeated consistently.
Your subconscious mind is like a garden – whatever you feed grows. Feed it limitations, you get limitations. Feed it possibilities, you get possibilities.
Taking Action: Your 30-Day Challenge
If you’re serious about breaking free from limiting beliefs, here’s my challenge to you:
- Write down every wealth-related limiting belief you can identify.
- Create a counter-statement for each one.
- Read these counter-statements aloud morning and night for 30 days.
- Keep a “belief breakthrough journal” noting when you catch yourself in old patterns.
Will this feel weird? Absolutely. Will some part of you resist?
Count on it.
But remember this: Your current financial situation is a direct reflection of your current beliefs about wealth. If you want different results, you need different beliefs.
Since the January inauguration pattern interrupt we’ve experienced, I’ve seen incredible opportunities opening up for those willing to challenge their old ways of thinking. The market is ripe for those ready to expand their comfort zones.
The question isn’t whether these limiting beliefs are holding you back — they absolutely are.
The question is: What are you going to do about it?