My3Goals Blog

- Silvia Johnson

Our core beliefs are those we’ve formed in our early childhood. Most are created by the time we are seven years old, with a few more developed around adolescence. As we develop these beliefs, we have an extremely limited view of the world and of ourselves. We tend to take on the beliefs of our parents or of other significant adults in our lives. In addition, we make judgments about what we hold to be true based on our limited view of the world.

Many of these beliefs serve us well as we grow into adulthood. Beliefs such as being kind to others, having integrity, or even having a strong work ethic can help us live as happy and productive members of society. However, there are other beliefs that truly limit us and therefore what we are capable of accomplishing.

These beliefs limit us by filtering the information that supports them, thus proving that they are in fact true. Often times they are core to us and as such seem so real and unshakable, we often don’t call them into question. There are many techniques to find and change limiting beliefs or to enhance empowering beliefs. Below are a few questions to tackle the former.

To begin uncovering limiting beliefs, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is an “I can’t” statement I say to myself?
2. What must be true for me to say that?
3. How do I know this is true?

To begin loosening the limiting belief, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What positive purpose has holding this belief served?
2. Is this belief always true for you? For others?
3. How would you know, even before you had physical evidence, that this belief had already changed?

Jot down your answers in a journal, or mull them over during a walk. Do whatever it takes to answer these questions honestly, the more you do, the better the results.