Believes color our interpretation of the world and all the events and activities that surround our lives. Our beliefs are mental filters through which we evaluate our world and because of them, we either build a life of abundance or a life of despair. Limiting beliefs distort every experience we have. They affect and determine our behavior, because we can only respond to the world based upon what we believe we can or can not do.
Among the many personal beliefs we hold, we also hold beliefs about human potential and limitation. This applies to our own limitations and the limitations of others. Seldom do we question our learned and perceived limitations. Imagine your life to be a river, and your beliefs to be rocks in the midst. Our lives will flow according to the placement of the rocks. Regardless of what we choose to believe, our lives continuously flow, and the shape of our lives will be determined by obstructions, mainly limiting beliefs, in our path. The goal then is eliminating those rocks.
How to Change Limiting Beliefs
It's time to let go of the limiting beliefs that you hold. We each have the power of choice. Actually, even our power of choice is influenced by our beliefs. What are your beliefs about choice? Remember, you have the power to think about anything that you want. Now, what kind of negative behavior do you keep repeating? Negative behaviors tell us there are unconscious limiting beliefs at work. But you ask, "If I have limiting beliefs, and they are unconscious, how do I know what they are?"
An excellent way to identify limiting beliefs is to look in the mirror and ask what stands in the way of your success. Not the success that you think you can have, but the success you really want. Your answers will be a reflection of your limiting beliefs.
Any area where you're "stuck" indicates the existence of limiting beliefs. Anything that includes "can't" or confirms that you're a victim of circumstance is a limiting belief. Ask yourself the following: 1) What is preventing me from having what I want? 2) What are my judgments in this area? 3) What past experiences have influenced my current beliefs?
When working on eliminating limited beliefs, the goal is to move from where you currently are to where you want to be. The most critical step in this process is determining what it is that you want to be doing rather than what you are now doing. Work through the steps of each belief system, and only work one area at a time. The six key areas are: Family, Physical/Health, Social, Professional/Financial, Intellectual/Educational, and Spiritual.
1) Write in a paragraph about how you really think and feel in each area listed above...working with one area at a time.
2) Review what you've written, and narrow this paragraph to an accurate sentence about your thoughts in this area. What does this one sentence say about your current belief?
3) Does this belief serve you, and does it help you get to where you want to go? If you could wave a magic wand and have whatever you wanted, would this belief support you in that desire?
4) If this belief isn't aligned with what you would really like to have, we need to change your belief. Here's a chance to create a new reality for yourself. Write down a new belief. Your belief only has to be constructive and practical. For example, it's not productive to create beliefs like, "I have to be perfect at all times."
5) Now, spend a few minutes each day programming these new beliefs into your unconscious. Positive thinking, meditation, vivid mental imagery, self-hypnosis, affirmations and Neuro Linguistic Programming are extremely effective ways to help program your unconscious.
The important thing to remember is that your initial beliefs about yourself were simply created by "processing" certain information. To change your beliefs, you simply need to process different information about yourself. To get started, start thinking differently---more positively and more in tune with what you truly desire out life. You'll find that your new beliefs will work wonders for you!
By Jim Fortin