Limiting Beliefs at Work-Most Common Limiting Beliefs Among Extraña´s Community

I’ve been familiar with the concept of limiting beliefs for quite some time, initially introduced to me by my psychologist. Over the years, I’ve heard this term from various coaches as well. However, I’ve always associated limiting beliefs with my personal life and never really connected them to my professional world, until recently.

While on maternity leave, I found myself captivated by an episode from the Harvard Business Review podcast *Women at Work called Let Go of the Beliefs That Limit How You Lead. The episode explores the idea that certain assumptions in our professional lives can limit our growth and influence how we are perceived in the workplace. Some examples include: "I need it done now," "I know I’m right," or "I need to be involved."

This got me thinking about how these types of beliefs might show up in our lives as foreigners, expats, or immigrants. Could these limiting beliefs be affecting how we approach our work, how others perceive us, and our professional development?

So, I decided to ask all of you on Extraña’s Instagram about the beliefs we hold, those thoughts that might be holding us back. Together, we can reframe these beliefs and begin to break free from any limitations they may be causing. Below are the beliefs you shared with us, along with some suggestions on how to flip them around, empowering us to move forward with confidence. Thanks for sharing and opening up to our community!

"I'm Too Old for This"

"By this age, I should be further along in my career. Why am I still here?"

As a foreigner, this belief can feel even more intensified. Maybe you thought that by the time you settled here, you’d be in a higher position, or perhaps you assumed your experience back home would fast-track you to success. But the truth is, once you arrive in Sweden, many foreign women struggle to find a job, work in positions unrelated to their background, or need to start building trust and a network through internships. It’s okay to be exactly where you are. Your journey is not linear, and just because it looks different from what you expected doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable.

Many of us spend time thinking: "Where would I be if I had stayed where I was?" or "My future was promising back home, too," or we compare ourselves to friends who haven’t migrated. The truth is that all those scenarios exist only in our heads. We don’t really know what would have happened if we had stayed where we were. The simple act of moving to a new country is an act of bravery that many wouldn’t do. You have the power to change where you are and grow. The only thing that matters is where you need to grow and what actions you’re taking to make it happen!

Reframe it: “I have lived through experiences that others haven’t. My journey is unique, and my career is mine to define, not anyone else’s expectations.”

Your experience is an asset. The resilience, adaptability, and perspective you bring from your home country are invaluable, so don’t rush the process. There’s no “right” age for success.

Reframing "I Have Nothing in Common with Swedes"

"How can I ever break into their network? It feels like we’re worlds apart."

Moving to a new country can be an isolating experience, and breaking into a new professional network might feel like trying to crack a secret code. It’s easy to think, “I don’t have anything in common with the Swedes,” especially when the culture is different and the social norms aren’t immediately clear. But here’s something powerful: your “difference” is actually your strength.

Reframe it: “I bring a unique perspective, and that perspective is valuable. What I might perceive as ‘different’ is actually an asset in building more inclusive networks.”

As a foreign woman, you have a richness of experience that your Swedish colleagues may never have encountered. Whether it’s a different approach to work, a different style of communication, or a diverse cultural background, you offer something irreplaceable. Building a network doesn’t require you to be “just like them.” It requires you to be authentically you. And that authenticity is what will attract the right people.

You don’t need to change yourself to fit in. Instead, focus on connecting with others over shared values, whether it’s a passion for innovation, diversity, or personal growth. Your unique background might just be the bridge that connects you with someone else who shares your vision.

Reframing "I’m a Fraud"

"What if they find out I’m not as good as they think I am?"

Imposter syndrome is something that most people face at some point, but as a foreigner, it can feel amplified. You might wonder if you really belong, especially when it seems like everyone around you has had a clear, linear path to success. But remember, you’ve earned your place in your current role. You were chosen over many other candidates because they trusted in your skills and saw the potential in you. I need to admit, I have this belief as well. I usually try to remind myself that the people who selected me weren’t naïve, they knew that while I have strengths and valuable qualities, I also have areas for improvement. It shouldn’t be any surprise for them, nor anything to uncover. Were they expecting me to be perfect? I don’t think so. Every other candidate would have had their own strengths and areas for improvement, that’s a given!

Reframe it: “The fact that I care so deeply means I’m exactly where I need to be. I am qualified, I am capable, and I am worthy of this opportunity.”

You may not have followed the same path as others, and maybe your experience in your home country didn’t directly translate to your new role. But that doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. Your courage to come to a new place, to build a career from scratch, speaks volumes about your resilience. You are qualified. You are capable. And your experience, whether it’s in different work cultures, languages, or environments, has made you uniquely prepared for challenges that others might shy away from.

Trust in your journey. You are more than enough.

Reframing "I’m Not That Person"

"I need to step out of my comfort zone, but I don’t know if I can be the kind of person who does that."

This is one of the hardest beliefs to reframe because it challenges the very core of who we think we are. Moving to a foreign country has already forced you to step out of your comfort zone in ways you might not even realize. You need to talk to different people, network, act in a certain way, be interested in topics that weren’t in your radar before, speak a new language, adapt to a different way of dressing, and many others.

Reframe it: “I can be someone who grows. Every small step I take outside my comfort zone brings me closer to the person I’m meant to be.”

Taking risks isn’t about being someone you’re not. It’s about stepping forward, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about allowing yourself to take on new challenges, even when you’re unsure of the outcome. The discomfort you feel is a sign that you’re expanding. So take it one small step at a time. You are just exploring new versions of yourself!

Reframing "I’m Perceived as Aggressive"

"When I speak up, I’m often labeled as ‘aggressive,’ especially as a Black woman."

Being a foreign woman often means that your assertiveness is misinterpreted. It’s painful and exhausting to constantly fight against stereotypes, to feel like you have to apologize for simply demanding respect or standing your ground. This perception of “aggressiveness” is often suffered by women who work in male-dominated environments, especially as it’s a result of trying to get a space to speak in meetings, get their decisions respected, or receive credit for their work and opinions. I have been there, and I’ve heard things like: "You’re being a bit aggressive, it’s part of your Latin blood." Sadly, being perceived as aggressive may not play in our favor.

My tip here is: remember to aim for being both warm and assertive at the same time. This will help you transmit a firm message but with an open and warm feeling.

But remember: your voice matters, and your strength is not a weakness, it’s a tool to take your place and step into your leadership platform.

Reframe it: “I have the right to be firm, to speak up, and to demand respect.”

As a foreign woman in a foreign country, you may face added layers of bias. You have the right to assert yourself, to ask for what you need, and to be respected for who you are. Don’t let anyone make you feel like your voice is too loud or too strong.

Your voice is needed. You’re part of the change that’s happening, and every time you speak up, you create space for others to do the same.

Conclusion: You Are Not Alone

As foreign women navigating a new culture, you may face obstacles that others do not. But that doesn’t make your journey any less valuable. These limiting beliefs, whether they’re about your age, your place in the network, your competence, your ability to step out of your comfort zone, or your right to be seen as powerful, are not truths. They are just the voices of fear and doubt.

You are not too old. You do belong. You are not a fraud. You are the person who steps out of your comfort zone. And you deserve respect, just as you are.

Remember: You are not doing this alone. We are a community of women, just like you, navigating similar struggles and celebrating our wins together. You don’t have to carry these beliefs alone.

If you’ve struggled with any of these beliefs, let’s reframe them together. Share your story with us, and let’s support each other on this journey!

*Link to “Women at Work” episode: The “Hidden Blockers” That Are Limiting Your Leadership Potential