Lesson 4g: Beliefs that Hold Us Back
(continued)
Objective: To
change what you believe you can accomplish
|
As has been discussed, beliefs are the way that we see
the world around us. Everything that we see is an interpretation
of data based on our thought system (beliefs). Beliefs
affect how we work and live financially. Examples of beliefs
that hold us back and keep us from being successful:
-
I am too old
- I do not have the education
- I was born poor, and I will die poor
- I never get any breaks
"All
personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs."
- Tony Robbins
|
It is not that we
are not capable of success, it is that we limit ourselves from being
successful. We need to take the brakes off and be the person
that we are born to be. Marianne Williamson explains it best: "Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that
we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens
us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented
and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"
Why and how are you holding yourself back?
- Believing that you are your past
We are creatures of habit. Our present experience mimics
past experiences based on the beliefs that we have formed. If
you always lived in poverty, you will remain in poverty. We
come to expect a certain outcome and that is what we get.
- It is easier to prove yourself right by being wrong
This may sound confusing. Yet, it is easier to say that
you can not succeed and fulfill that belief by sabotaging your
success, then it is to say "I will succeed" which may or may
not happen. Also, if your parents (society or teachers)
told you that you would never amount to anything or good for
nothing,
you
may have picked this up as a belief. You can prove them
right by sabotaging your success because you believe what your
parents or society told you.
- Excuses / Blaming others
We live in a litigious society. It seems that we are
always pointing a finger at someone else. You believe
that you are right and they are wrong based on the information
that you see. So,
when your energy is focused on changing someone else, you
ignore what you can really change in the current situation
(which
is yourself).
What can you do to empower yourself?
- Change how you view your past
"The past is a history, the future is a fantasy, the
present is a gift and that is why it is called the present." The
past is just a history lesson and it need not be who you
are today. Become open to a new set of beliefs that
will serve you in the present.
- Take responsibility
Events may happen in your life, but it is how you react
to the events that define your life. You can not change
the events because they are in the past. However, you
can change your current reaction to the event by making a
different
decision on what really happened.
- Set dreams
By setting a dream you are changing your beliefs in what you expect
to happen. Many have suggested to set goals in ones life
to get your desired outcomes, like "I want to have $1,000,000". However,
goals limit our opportunities and usually represent a higher dream. To
want $1 million can come from a higher goal or dream to be financially
secure, to be able to help others or to live a life of fun and
excitement. You should be living your dreams and not your
goals. Goals can change easily based on the situation, dreams
shouldn't . Because as you are working hard to earn the $1 million,
you can be overlooking others ways to live your dream like by passing
on a weekend on the lake because you have to work or by helping
others as a volunteer. A dream is what you want out of life. A
goal is a way to live your dream.
If you take these steps will you then be living your life in luxury
and riches? May be or may be not. Yet, you will be happier
because you will be in control of your life rather than feeling that
you are being controlled or destined to live a life of poverty and
misery.
Exercise: Take a
few minutes and determine what is your dream (not goals). Then
determine what has held you back from living your dream.
|
Sample goals and related dreams
Goals |
Dreams
|
Other ways to fulfill dream |
Become a millionaire |
Be financially secure |
Continue your education (to be of value
to companies in your industry) |
Take an exotic vacation |
Be adventurous |
Explore local caves and beaches |
Own a boat |
Live luxurious lifestyle |
Treat yourself to a fine dinner |
Quit job that I hate |
Follow my dreams |
Find a job that you do enjoy |
Get married (get out of dating scene) |
Find happiness |
Fall in love with yourself first |
|
