Limiting beliefs and what they do for us

Sometimes it can be easier to think we can't do things.  If we believe, for example, that we're just not confident enough to introduce ourselves to that new person in the office who seems really interesting, or that we just can't stand up in front of an audience to make a presentation, it can be quite handy.  If we don't try to challenge ourselves, we can carry on doing the things we find easy to do, and stay safely within our comfort zone.  Which is fine as long as you're happy doing that.  Truly happy, I mean.  Not just resigned to doing the same old things, day in, day out, and having a good moan about it.

In coaching, when people look at what they think is a limiting belief, we have to have a think about what holding that belief is doing for them, as well as what it's costing them.

A while ago I held the belief that I couldn't run my own business.  'I'm just not a business woman' I told myself.  There came a point where I had to look at that belief properly to see what was going on.  I found out that what was really happening was that other things were a greater priority at that time which needed my energy and attention.  Holding that particular limiting belief allowed me to delay the decision to start my business.  It was the right decision at the time, but I wasn't brave enough back then to say it. However, because I found out what was behind the belief, when the right time came to start up the business, I was no longer held back by some dodgy belief which wasn't based on anything factual at all.

Try challenging a belief today, just a little one, like 'my teenage daughter is going to be really difficult when I get home'.  Try holding the opposite belief just for a while.  Imagine yourself noticing the nice things she does, even if it's only one or two. What does it mean to hold a different belief?  What would it be like?  What would it allow to happen?  Just try it out, and I guarantee you'll notice different things going on.  Your brain will be primed to look out for different information.  You might not immediately completely swap an old belief for the opposite, but at least you've made a small movement in the right direction, and proved to yourself that a different choice is possible.  Just give it a try.

I have to quote Henry Ford, even though I'm sure you've heard it before: 'whether you believe you can or you can't, you're right'.  How true.