I came across an interesting article on www.ReTransformation.com on how your unconscious mind runs your life. I particularly liked what the author had to say about limiting beliefs, so I am posting parts of the article here.
Your Unconscious Mind Is Running Your Life
“Everything you do and everything you say and everything you think is informed by the beliefs held in your unconscious mind.
“Your unconscious mind holds two kinds of beliefs: Those that are helpful and amazing and push you forward in life again and again. Those that are limiting and hold you back no matter how hard you try to change them. It doesn't know the difference, however.
“The unconscious mind is like a massively powerful computer. You feed it data (what you experience from moment to moment). It runs a program or two on that data (your unconscious beliefs). And gives you the output (your life works.... or it doesn't). Here are some sample limiting beliefs (a few might sound familiar):
I can't ever succeed because....
- Everyone lies
- Entrepreneurs are very cutthroat and I don't want to be that way
- Women/Men like women/men with lots of money/a great house/a fancy car/some other quality so I'll never meet anyone
- It's who you know
- _____ people are just that way
- Money is evil
- People who have money are evil/corrupt
- People can't be trusted
- Everyone is out for themselves
- Nice gals/guys finish last
- People are too busy to care
- It's a dog-eat-dog world
- The world is falling apart
- I'll never have what I really want
- If I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all
“Every belief in your unconscious mind is there because it is protecting you in some fashion. Each one of them had a very useful function at one time in your life. Usually, the ones that are holding you back now were originally designed to protect you or empower you in some way in the past.”
Here's my take on all of this...
The trick is to identify these limiting beliefs – and then do something about them. The Re/Transformation article provided some interesting advice here.
- Focus on a specific area of your life (money, work, relationships, etc.). What isn't working in this area? Write down at least 3 limiting beliefs you have about this situation.
- Pick one belief from the list above that seems to be the most intractable and the most real. Pick the one that frustrates you the most.
- What person embodies this one belief? This can be someone you know or don't know; someone from TV, a movie, a book, a tall tale, or a mythic legend; someone living or dead; someone real or imagined. What is this person's name?
- Imagine yourself having a conversation with this person. Ask them any question you want. What they are doing for you? Are they protecting you from anything (past or present; real or imagined)? Pay attention to what they say back to you (even if you think you are just imagining it). Notice how you feel and what thoughts start coming to you.
- Write down any insights you receive from this conversation. What tangible action steps will you take based on this new awareness?
I really like this approach because it puts the burden of dealing with your limiting beliefs where it belongs – with you. If you apply the five action steps above, you will be better able to deal with you own self imposed limiting beliefs and become the success you are meant to be. Try it, it works! It's only common sense.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.CareerSuperStar.com for common sense advice on becoming a success in your life and career.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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