Overcoming Your Limiting Beliefs
Overcoming limiting beliefs is a hot topic — as it should be!
Let's talk about it.
Let's begin with defining a belief.
A belief is a set thoughts you keep thinking over and over again without analysis, leading you to subconsciously accept it as true.
Thinking a set of thoughts over and over again is how we program ourselves into believing whatever we choose to believe — whether this happens consciously or unconsciously.
The challenge with changing our beliefs is that, most of the time, we're unconscious to the thoughts that we are thinking. And if we're unconscious to the thoughts that we're thinking, then we will be unconscious to our beliefs.
In other words, we must become conscious of the thoughts that we've been unconscious of in order to change them.
As you become more aware of your unconscious thoughts, you'll begin to notice and catch limiting thoughts of fear, scarcity, lack, victimization, and so on.
It's important that we don't judge ourselves for having these thoughts, simply observe and choose to not identify with them. In the end, they are just thoughts.
To change the beliefs that are driving these thoughts, and ultimately unwire them from our brain (this is possible, neuroscience has proven it through the discovery of neuroplasticity, look it up!), we must catch those thoughts and begin to replace them with the thoughts that we do want to think.
How do you clarify what thoughts you do want to think? I want you to think about what beliefs would support who you want to become.
Some examples might include: I am unlimited. I am empowered. I can do anything. I am unstoppable. These are all beliefs, but they first begin with a thought. And you must keep thinking that thought over and over again until you ultimately believe it to be true without questioning it.
My challenge to you: get clear on what beliefs would support who you want to become. How does that person think? What do they believe?
Once you're clear on the new thoughts you want to think, start paying more attention to your day-to-day thoughts and catch the limited thoughts when they arise.
As you notice those limiting thoughts arise, break the pattern by saying "STOP" or "NO" out loud. Then, say out loud the new thoughts that you do want to think.
For example, if I catch myself thinking I can't do something, I would say "STOP" out loud. Then, I would say out loud, "I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to."
The most important part of this process is that when you say out loud the thought that you do want to have, the more unlimited thought, you must say it with the utmost level of conviction, you must know it to be true.
If you want to believe that you are unstoppable, you must FEEL unstoppable. It's at this point where most people get caught up and don't make changes. They think the positive thought, but don't actually feel it in their body. This is why positive thinking IS NOT enough.
I suggest you repeat the new thought until you feel different in your body. When you feel differently in your body, that's the signal that your subconscious, which is your body, is being reprogrammed.
You must convince yourself and have your body language and feelings match what you're saying, otherwise your body will not respond.
One practice I use to get my body to match my new thoughts is looking at myself in the mirror and repeating the thoughts I do want to think, while adjusting my body posture to match what I am saying. I do this repeatedly, usually for 10-15 minutes, while looking at myself in the eyes, until I can feel the difference.
Once I feel the shift, my job is to sustain that feeling throughout my day and if I go back to the old way of thinking, I do the work to shift again.
Remember, all of this must be done with a level of determination that represents your desire for change. The type of energy you bring to this process is what will determine your results.
I personally love bringing a high level of passion to this process, signaling to my mind and body that I mean business.
Try this out! It's simple and it can yield great results if practiced repeatedly and with sincerity.
With love and inspiration,
Jonathan