Mark Twain once said, "It's not what we don't know that hurts us. It's what we know that isn't so."
At this point, you might be saying, "Wait a minute, if I believe I know something, doesn't that make it so?"
Well, yes and no. (That's a classic therapist answer, by the way.) The yes part is that in many ways, if we believe something, that can make it so for us. Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right."
The no part is this - what if what you believe isn't accurate, is no longer true, or just isn't so?
I realize this might be a lot to think about with your morning coffee, but consider this - a belief is merely a feeling of certainty about something. Some beliefs enhance and expand our lives, such as "if it's possible in the world, it's possible for me."Other beliefs tend to limit and inhibit our lives. It's been my experience that we carry around many more limiting beliefs than we do enhancing beliefs.
Most, if not all, of our limiting beliefs can be divided into three categories; I am......, people are......., and the world is......."
I am.........People are..........
These limiting beliefs include our prejudices and influence how we see other people. Some of the most common are -
That's a man's/woman's job
Any kind of prejudice
People can't be trusted
Everyone is out for themselves
Nice guys finish last
People are too busy to care
The World Is..........
These limiting beliefs influence how we see the world and our position in it. Some of the most common are -
It's a dog-eat-dog world.
The world is a ghetto (oops, that's George Benson, just to jazz things up a little)
Society owes me a living.
The world is falling apart.
Do you recognize yourself in any of these limiting beliefs? Can you think of other beliefs that have limited you in the past or are limiting you now?
My purpose here is twofold. First, to get you to identify and begin to consider how certain beliefs have limited you. Second, to give you some tools for changing limiting beliefs into beliefs that can support and enhance your life.
Have you ever noticed that when you buy something new, such as a car, you begin to see that car everywhere? They were there before, it's just that now your focus has changed. It's the same way with limiting beliefs. They point our focus in a certain direction, and we can always find evidence to support them.
But other than getting to be "right", what good does it do? Our limiting beliefs continue to hold us back.
Here are three ways that you can begin to change limiting beliefs-
1) Begin to question them. Ask yourself, "Is this really true?" Would a camera, taking a picture, be able to support this belief?
2) Counter the belief. Sometimes, just saying and considering the opposite is enough to change the belief. For example, change "I'm too old" into "I'm just the right age to do what I want to do."
3) Redirect your brain. For example, ask yourself "In how many ways can I be happy now, have people care about me, has the world worked?" All of these are counters to the limiting beliefs listed above.
Our beliefs can either limit or enhance our lives. With the proper tools, the choice is then up to us. What will it be for you?
Visit secretsofgreatrelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareSuccess in recovery, or rather, staying in recovery, is dependent... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
Stress management is a hot topic; stress-related illness and suffering... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
Fear, and its accompanying seriousness, causes our suffering. Fear restricts... Read More
Many of my readers write to me about the tensions... Read More
What good is Personal or Business Success...if your Health is... Read More
Training Your Mind For Better Business and LeisureModern life moves... Read More
Let's take a look at some of the more serious... Read More
To combat modern day stressors, you need to realize that... Read More
My first real job (schedule, time clock, paycheck, boss) was... Read More
Caring for a chronically ill loved one can be one... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive... Read More
Defending your point of view can use up a lot... Read More
When was the last time you took a day just... Read More
There are times in every person's life when things do... Read More
* The material presented in this article is provided for... Read More
Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
Stress is often seen as being unhealthy, but for some... Read More
For those of you who have been living in a... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
One of the best ways to relieve yourself from the... Read More
The number one most popular issue that users of a... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the... Read More
Are you a "worry wart?" Is that term familiar to... Read More
Stressed? Relax Right Now with 5 Super-Simple Stress-BustersStressed-out? Don't know... Read More
Stress. The word brings to mind many different definitions doesn't... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More
Shit happens. I know this to be a fact, because... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional... Read More
Voice: Bill!Bill: I thought I heard a voice.Voice: Bill! This... Read More
As Montaigne said, "he who fears he will suffer, already... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
Here's an amazing quote from Time magazine:"At birth a baby's... Read More
When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More
Who hasn't experienced "worry" at one time or another? Almost... Read More
If you've recently experienced loss or are going through a... Read More
What is Stress?Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship... Read More
I love a good story and I know I'm not... Read More
I once worked with a woman whose zest,joy and enthusiasm... Read More
Stress Management |