Tips for Changing Limiting Beliefs Into Empowering Beliefs

The foundation of everything that makes you who you are is built on beliefs. Beliefs are the thoughts and ideas to which you have made a commitment to support, whether consciously or unconsciously. They represent a collection of assumptions and attitudes you have formed as a result of life experiences. Unfortunately, some of the beliefs we form, especially about ourselves interfere with our abilities to excel. In this article, I provide you with specific tips for changing limiting beliefs into empowering beliefs.

5 Main Sources for Developing Beliefs

Tradition - It is very common to see beliefs perpetuate through families and other sociocultural systems. Have you ever heard a young child make a negative comment about a political candidate? Children may not be old enough to understand politics, but they do understand that one is better than another because their parents said so. It is through family and cultural tradition that the basis for a primary belief system is formed. Social culture, family bias, and societal prejudice are extremely influential.

Authority - As with tradition, early beliefs are adopted from people who have perceived authority in our lives. In addition to our parents, they can be people like teachers, religious leaders, physicians, lawyers, etc.

Association - Often times, we adopt the beliefs of a particular group with whom we associate. This is particularly true of adolescents who are starting to push boundaries in an attempt to self-identify. These beliefs may run counter to the traditional beliefs they adopted early on, or they may exaggerate those beliefs. This is the reason many parents try to guide their child's choice of friends. Positive influence results in positive behavior, and negative influence results in negative behaviors.

Evidence - As we mature, we develop critical thinking skills that allow us to understand cause-effect relationships and to rationalize with the use of logical thinking. This method for developing beliefs can be extremely influential in terms of developing positive or negative beliefs. Learned helplessness is a belief that can come following persistent negative outcomes following a particular behavior. You may come to believe you have no power or influence in creating the outcome itself.

Revelations - Some people attain information though a feeling or sense about something. If you ever find yourself saying you have a gut feeling, a hunch or an inkling about something, you are forming a belief through subconscious means or possible through your developing intuition (sixth sense).

Limiting Beliefs
Limiting beliefs are the beliefs we hold about ourselves or others that interfere with our ability to excel and succeed in any given faction of our lives. In Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), limiting beliefs have been grouped into three major categories: hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Such limiting beliefs are often expressed through language and serve as an accurate representation of a personal belief system.

Hopelessness - My goal will never be reached under any circumstance.

• I'm hopeless in social situations.
• It will never work.
• I will never succeed.
• I can't change-it's in my genes.
• I'm just unlucky.
• I'm no good at...
• There's no point in trying.

Helplessness - My goal can be achieved, but I lack the ability to achieve it.

• Why does this always happen to me?
• This is a man's world.
• I always attract the wrong people.
• Everyone is out to rip you off.
• All people are out for themselves.
• I always get it wrong.

Worthlessness - I don't deserve to achieve this goal because I'm not good enough.

• I have no confidence.
• I'm worthless.
• No one would be attracted to me.
• I'm a fraud at work.
• When I talk, people get bored.

Language patterns, such as those described above, not only reflect limiting beliefs but also serve as reinforcement to those limiting beliefs creating a powerful negative thought cycle. The best way to break this cycle is described by Robert Dilts, a well-known researcher and trainer of NLP techniques.

Reframing and Changing Beliefs

Joseph O'Connor & John Seymour wrote in their book, Introducing NLP: Psychological Skills for Understanding and Influencing People:

Beliefs are an important part of our personality, yet they are expressed in extraordinarily simple terms: if I do this... then that will happen. I can... I can't. And these are translated into: I must... I should... I must not... The words become compelling. How do these words gain their power over us? Language is an essential part of the process we use to understand the world and express our beliefs.

The good news is that language is also a powerful tool for changing limiting beliefs into empowering beliefs. In NLP, this technique is known as reframing. The truth is that the content of any experience is whatever you choose to focus on. The meaning can be whatever you like.

Reframing is a simple, yet very powerful tool for changing and attitude or belief from negative to positive. A simplified version reframing focuses on two primary types: Context Reframing and Content Reframing.

Context Reframing - is a process that requires to you change a negative situation into a positive one by requiring you to consider more of the context. For instance, if you tend to have road rage because you hold the limiting belief that all drivers are idiots, a driver that cuts you off while changing lanes might push you over the edge. In this situation, your focus on the context is placed only on the point at which the incident occurred. If you expand the context and consider the possibility that the driver is in a hurry because a loved one is being rushed to the hospital. This changes the context forcing a change in the limiting belief.

Context reframing is very helpful in situations that arise suddenly and are out of your control. Looking at an event from a different perspective can help you stay calm and reduce your stress level. Opening your mind to possibilities other than the one that first pops into your head is the secret to context reframing.

Content Reframing - is a process that can help you become a less negative person in general and can open the door to new experiences. It involves changing the meaning a situation has for you. Politics is an example of the art of content framing par excellence! Current economic figures can be taken as an isolated example showing up an overall downward trend, or, as an indication of prosperity, depending on which side of the political fence you sit. Similarly, high interest rates are bad for borrowers, and good for savers.

Advertising and sales are two areas where content reframing is critical. Products are put in the best light possible with the intent that people will associate the product with a particular state. For instance, using particular laundry detergent means you care about your family.

To reframe the content of an experience requires you to open your mind to new ideas. For example, if you hate to exercise it might be because you had a negative experience in the past. Perhaps you twisted your ankle while running. Because you had a bad experience you might have framed all types of physical exertion as negative. To reframe that perspective, you need to imagine a time in your past when you actually had fun being physically active. Recalling such events will help you to associate the idea of exercise to a positive experience rather than a negative one.

Empowering Beliefs

Changing limiting beliefs into empowering beliefs requires the development of self-awareness. The first step is to identify a limiting belief. You may be surprised at how many you have! Don't try to change all you're beliefs at once. It will likely take some practice to become aware of a limiting belief and then reframing it into something positive. Like any behavior, practice makes perfect. You'll recognize them more quickly and easily, and consequently, you'll be able to reframe more effectively. At first, it might be helpful to write them down when you recognize them. As you make your list, you might be able to see a pattern and identify the category of limiting belief (hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness) to which you're more prone. Alternatively, you could have limiting beliefs that cut across all categories.

The process of self-awareness and change is not always an easy one. The benefit will far out-weigh the pain when you begin to feel the change that results from your change in beliefs.

Source

Firing Your Middleman and Dissolving Limiting Beliefs

When it comes to receiving the signal of abundance there is one thing between you and the abundance you're seeking, and that's limiting beliefs.

Limiting beliefs act as the middleman between you and your rightful abundant life, and if there's a block (limiting belief) which is stopping you receiving your rightful abundance, then the best action you can take is firing your middleman for gross misconduct.

Most of us have heard of limiting beliefs, the catalyst which blocks our orders from the cosmos, but how deep do we have to delve in to our psyches to eradicate this spoil sport?

What are limiting beliefs?

In simple terms we request 'something' from the universe, and how fast that 'something' appears in our lives is dependent on our overall feelings and our belief about that 'something'. However that belief may be hidden in your subconscious!

For example, if you ask for more money to come into your life but you hold a belief that rich people are dishonest, greedy or in some way non spiritual, then that 'limiting belief' will obstruct more money coming into your life. Because even though you are asking for money, your limiting belief is sending out signals to contrary.

If you ask for success to come into your life, but somewhere deep inside you believe you're not worthy of success, this 'limiting belief' dutifully goes about its business and acts as your middleman, turning away any hope of success.

Your Belief System

Limiting beliefs might not be something you've heard of or buy into, so if you're not ready to accept you have limiting beliefs or that they play such a vital role in your happiness, you're at least aware of the existence of your own belief system right? Everyone knows their own belief system, it's what guides you and helps you make decisions.

You have honed and finely tuned this belief system over the years since birth, and for the most part you believe in your own beliefs, or why would you have them in the first place right? You're fully committed to your own belief system, and willingly argue your point if need be.

So we've established and agree you have a belief system, one which you stand by wholeheartedly I might add, now ask yourself this...Is there is any part of your life which isn't going well, or as well as you'd like it to?

It could be finances, relationships, career, health or any other aspect of your life, it doesn't matter which. If you find an aspect of your life which isn't going well, can you now ask yourself why it isn't going well?... Have an answer yet? No... okay I'll move on.

Your Limiting Belief System

Allow me to offer a few examples, it could be your health which isn't going that well for example, your answer might be, "well I've always been prone to illness, I was a sickly child and it's something I've become accustomed to", that's a LIMITING BELIEF!

It could be your career; you might answer "I just never get the breaks I need to get ahead" another LIMITING BELIEF.

In relationships, "I always meet people who are either married or exceptionally boring" another LIMITING BELIEF! Okay I'll stop shouting with the caps now, you get my point right?

Although your belief system can serve you well in certain situations, it can also do you an injustice at other times. Sometimes we need to do our own work and let our middleman step aside for a while.

People don't generally like to admit that the belief system they've used for so long is faulty, and I can relate to that, it's a big step admitting it, but the positive thing is you only have to admit it to yourself for changes to take effect, no one else!:)

It's a fair assumption to make, that if you've been asking for certain aspects of your life to change, and have taken the necessary action when needed, and still have no results, that it's your middleman that's causing the lack in that aspect of your life.

Firing the middleman

So now you may be wondering how best to fire your middleman, that's a good and relevant question! It's never easy firing someone and it may take a few steps to entirely rid yourself of this unwanted employee.

Step One

Identify where your middleman is doing most of his work. This means finding out which aspects of your life aren't going the way you wish them to go, and once you've discovered which parts of your life you're unhappy with, you're ready to move onto step two.

Step Two

Write down all the reasons you're unhappy with this aspect of your life and more importantly look within to reveal your most honest answers. To help you along ask yourself questions like:

Why has this been a recurring problem in my life?

What do I REALLY believe is the cause of this roadblock?

How can I change things for the better?

Have I noticed this problem in any other aspect of my life?

What's stopping me getting past this?

How can I resolve this problem?

I'll state this again for clarity, BE HONEST with yourself, it's only you reading it after all!:) It's also best to write without evaluating what you're writing.

Step Three

Go over what you've written and comprise a list of limiting beliefs. You may come up with revelations like, "I don't feel I'm good enough" or "I'm not deserving" or "I don't feel important enough" or "It's difficult to earn money" or "Success is out of my reach".

Whatever you come up with is fine, and it may be difficult doing this step, but soldier on because now you have fresh insight into your limiting belief system. And remember NONE of the limiting beliefs you come up are true, that's right NONE!

Step Four

You've done a lot of the hard work already and now it's time for the fun part. Replace your limiting beliefs with new TRUE beliefs. Sounds easy right? Well actually it is, for every negative limiting belief simply turn it on its head and reverse it.

If you have a limiting belief of "Success is out of my reach" replace it with "Success is my birth right" or "Success is already mine" or Success is making its way to me right now" whatever you feel more comfortable with.

Once you have come up with a new belief for each of your limiting beliefs, write them down and your ready for step five.

Step Five

This is the best step of all in firing your middleman, and it comes in the form of re-imprinting your subconscious! Sounds complicated and scientific right? Well it's not; although it's the most important and rewarding of the five steps.

Now you need to find evidence for your new beliefs, and believe me you'll find lots of it. Every time you find evidence that supports your new belief, write it down under the new belief.

You can come up with your own affirmations that include your new beliefs and say them to yourself every day, especially if you notice your middleman popping up and trying to give his two cents!

If you meditate you can incorporate your new affirmations into your meditation and use them as mantra's when starting or ending your meditation.

However you want to include your new beliefs into your daily life is great, whatever suits you best and what feels most comfortable. The important thing is to make sure your new beliefs become part of the new you, and over all part of your improved belief system.

Step Six


You've been putting it off, but now is the time to say those immortal words to your middleman...

You're FIRED

Now, didn't that feel good.






Source
Headline Image Source (CC)

How to Transform Self-Limiting Beliefs to Achieve Success

We all have self-limiting beliefs in one way or another. However, if we want to be successful we need to learn to let go of these beliefs; beliefs like denial and resistances. Many of these self-limiting beliefs result from stories that we have created in our mind. When bad things happens we tend to defend, over rationalized or protect ourselves as part of our survival instinct. Unfortunately these kinds of behaviors keep us from moving forward.

Do you make excuses for procrastinating? Do you blame others for your lower performance at work? Are you blaming your excessive weight on your genetics? If so, it's time to learn how to make some mental adjustments so that you can really enjoy your life and experience a much more abundant and fulfilling life.

Abundant and prosperous people face the same difficulties and discomforts that the rest of us do but they have learned how to take appropriate actions to avoid negative consequences.

The basic principle to learn is to take responsibility for your life. It is up to us to be successful, overcome challenges and deal with drawbacks. Sometimes there are things out of our control, but we can choose to acknowledge this situation, understand the red flags, find a detour, keep moving and take positive action. This sometimes implies that we have to take risks.

Why denial is the number one self-limiting obstacle?

Denial means to hide or ignore that we are facing a problem or dealing with challenges. Denial provides a set of myths and excuses to keep us from progressing. When we are in denial we use lots of excuses and blame to justify lack of action or passive interpretation of things. If you are in denial you most commonly use these terms:

• I don't want to be the center of attention.
• I prefer to keep my mouth shut.
• This is just temporary.
• I will not be fired; I am indispensable.
• I am waiting for the storm to pass.

These passive phrases provide us with justification or rationalization for something that is not working out and let us maintain the status quo. We are able to comfortably maintain the same state of mind and stay in our comfort zone. Self-limiting beliefs have also to do with poor self-esteem. Thoughts that accompany self-limiting beliefs include:

• I am not good enough for that job.
• I have not the right personality for that job.
• Nothing I do is ever noticed by others.
• Only good-looking people are successful.
• Maybe next year I can try that.
• I don't have a voice in this company. No one every listens to me.
• My family have been in poverty forever and I don't expect this to change.

When these types of thought occur it is necessary to turn them around. Rather than thinking thoughts like those above, turn them around:

• I am good enough and I deserve that job.
• My needs are as important as everyone else's needs.
• I may not look like a movie star but I have talent and personality and these qualities are more important for success.
• I can handle pressure I am a great multitasker.
• Poverty is not a fate. I am resourceful and dynamic and I am working towards change.

Our thoughts about ourselves, or our physical traits or talents and skills reflect how we act in front of others. Are we proud of our skills or we try to keep them to ourselves in the hopes that we will be seen as being humble? Humble, by the way, mean "teachable" and not shy, retiring and unassuming. Successful people, on the other hand, are more committed and determined to make sure everybody knows that they are the most qualified person for the job, promotion, business deal or transaction. There is no room for humility or passivity in their lives.

People who know how to overcome self-limiting beliefs find other ways to deal with change and the unknown. Don't think that you can't do it just because you have told yourself so many times that you don't have the right personality or talent that you actually believe yourself. Some times the worst thing that we can do is to believe our own thoughts. To enjoy a successful and more exciting life, a place of possibilities and dreams, we have to learn how to transform our self-limiting beliefs into self-empowering beliefs.

Solutions

You can identify beliefs that are self-limiting, beliefs that are not serving you or that are limiting your success, and replace them with positive ones that support your success. Here are some ideas to help you on this exciting quest:

• Make a list of what isn't working in your life.
• Determined the most important areas of your life that need attention (family, career, love, finances).
• Review your goals, focus on a successful future.
• Ask a trusted friend or colleague what beliefs you seem to be manifesting that are not helping you move forward.
• Ask yourself insightful questions, do some inner work: write a journal, create your ideal day.
• Face what isn't working first, create a strategy plan.
• Make a list of positive things you wish to happen to increase your chances of success.
• Acknowledge your successes and achievements, remember you are greater than you think.
• Seek competent professional coaching; an NLP coach can help you developed effective intra-person and inter-personal communication skills.
• Seek a trained hypnotist to help you eliminate self-sabotaging beliefs and self-criticism that are not serving you and help you create a new set of self-talk words and mental programming for success.

Everything starts with your thoughts and mental processes. Words have power and it is important that you learn to use them correctly in your advantage. Believing that you are worthy of love and respect creates an aura of appreciation around you. You deserve to be successful and you are worthy of everything you want to achieve. Don't settle for less that what you deserve. Once you understand that, your confidence will soar.

Source