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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
Personal Topic : Fear
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