Transforming Limiting Beliefs Into Empowering Mindsets
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Chapter 1: Understanding Beliefs
Is what you believe really accurate?
A caterpillar doesn’t question its path to becoming a butterfly; it simply follows the necessary steps.
Growing up, my background was Protestant, while most of my peers identified as Catholic. I attended church regularly, but there were no strict repercussions for missing a Sunday. As a teen, I often found myself attending Mass with friends who felt obligated to fulfill their religious duties. The uncertainty of what would happen if they missed a service made me uneasy.
I didn’t fully grasp the rituals — standing, sitting, saying prayers, kneeling — and worried about making mistakes. I would quietly mimic the responses, pretending to understand. Then there was communion: unable to partake due to my non-Catholic status, I felt out of place as my friends received their wafers.
This illustrates that we held differing beliefs, raising the question: which one was accurate?
Big Picture Beliefs
As I transitioned into late adolescence, my interest in organized religion faded, and I was grateful my parents didn’t pressure me to attend. I became drawn to Eastern philosophies, informally exploring Buddhist and Hindu practices, yoga, and Sanskrit mantras. I was essentially on a quest for new truths and beliefs that resonated with me.
Beliefs can create a sense of belonging, yet they are simply repeated thoughts that we accept as truth. Often, we cling to beliefs that hinder our progress or are detrimental because they go unchallenged.
When we look broadly, we see large-scale beliefs embraced by groups, but what happens when we focus inward on our personal beliefs? How do we perceive ourselves—our worth, our appearance, our values?
Personal Beliefs Unraveled
Examining personal beliefs can be complicated, as they stem from both external influences—well-intentioned or otherwise—from parents, mentors, and peers, and our own interpretations. Unlike collective beliefs, which can be analyzed by looking to others, personal beliefs can be difficult to dissect because they are solely our own.
To change our self-perception, we first need to recognize the thoughts that fill our minds daily. It may sound straightforward, but do we truly understand our thought patterns?
For instance, during my struggle with yo-yo dieting, I realized my belief in dieting as a weight-loss solution was fundamentally flawed. I had to confront the negative thoughts I perpetuated about myself: messages of failure, laziness, and unworthiness.
In retrospect, the beliefs that plagued me were not accurate reflections of who I was. Despite my perceived shortcomings, I exhibited determination, adhered to strict diets, and engaged in regular exercise. I now recognize that my self-worth was not tied to societal standards of attractiveness.
From Sabotage to Success
What if, instead of reinforcing negative self-beliefs, we shifted our focus to acknowledge our positive attributes? A recent realization hit me: despite years of writing and publishing, I didn’t consider myself successful because I measured success solely by financial gain.
This belief led me to periods of discouragement, causing me to stop writing, which only reinforced my notion of failure. However, stepping back revealed a different perspective. Thousands have read my work, I’ve published a book, and I’ve been invited to speak at events.
In truth, my narrow definition of success has held me back. By recognizing my accomplishments, I can redefine what success means to me.
It’s clear that shifting long-held beliefs requires time and effort, but wouldn’t it be more fulfilling to cultivate positive self-perceptions? At our core, don’t we all yearn to feel good about ourselves?
The power to change lies within our minds.
If you find yourself stuck, perhaps it’s time to evaluate whether your current beliefs serve you positively or negatively. A new, empowering mindset might be just a few thoughts away.
The first video, "3 Limiting Beliefs That Are Holding You Back From Your Own Success," explores the common beliefs that inhibit personal growth and how to overcome them.
The second video, "How To STOP Self Sabotage And Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs," provides strategies for breaking free from self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors.
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