You know what to do, so why can't you do it? In this extended episode, DrB explains why limiting beliefs and outdated identities get in the way of every skill you try to build, and why they come before pre-skills and executive function skills.
You'll learn how to put a limiting belief on the witness stand, how to separate "I am" from "I do," and a three-part life work exercise to start this week. Plus an invitation to the free live It Was Never You Masterclass on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, co-hosted with Dr. Tuby Akinlosotu.
Key Points Covered
The big picture: outdated identities and limiting beliefs first, then pre-skills, then executive function skills
Three misconceptions: we know what we need, knowledge is power, and we can skip the process
A limiting belief is a belief held as if it were fact; every limiting belief has an exception (Roger Bannister and the four-minute mile)
Common limiting beliefs about yourself, relationships, habits and time, organization, and your own brain, and why "I hate my ADHD brain" backfires
Identity versus behavior: why "I am lazy" is an identity and "I struggle to start tasks" is a skill gap
The three-part life work exercise, plus details for the free live masterclass on October 20, 2026 (10 am to 2 pm Pacific)
Links Mentioned
drbarbaracohen.com — All episodes + show resources
It Was Never You: Why Capable, Successful Adults Keep Hitting the Same Wall October 20, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm pacific time + VIP hour: https://itwasneveryoumasterclass.com/
The Transformation Club (TTC) – if time or money commitments have been holding you back - the affordable membership program for Executive Function skills development: https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/ttcprogram
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