Beliefs – Are Yours Holding You Back?

Do you struggle with thoughts of “You’re not good enough!” Or there might be someone better than you are. If this is you then you need to continue reading. And if it is not you, then you might want to read along to see if you are able to help someone else who does struggle with these thoughts.

You know, sometimes I write these posts and articles and every once in a while I write something and I have to say to myself “PAY ATTENTION! This could help you too.”  (Probably more than once in a while but….. ) I know this is one of those posts because I have had it ruminating around in my mind for quite a while. So if you don’t mind me being honest with myself then lets get at it.

HOW IS YOUR SELF TALK

The importance of paying attention to your self talk is more than critical in leading a fulfilled and abundant life.

This is the conversation that is the continual hum in your mind.  We all do it.

So what is the big deal you say?

Are you kidding?

If you are like me, and most people would think me somewhat normal, this conversation sometimes borders on the abusive and cruel.

When you consider we are able to think at 1300 words per minute, there can be a whole bunch of words in just a very short period of time. A normal rate of talking would be around 120 words. I know a few who are able to gust up to a couple of hundred maybe, but 120 is good. Imagine the damage we can do to our self esteem if this self talk is negative. How quick we are to tear our self up when we could just as well be building our confidence.

Hearing the same things over and over again is an indicator of an underlying belief in our subconsious.

BELIEFS

Your beliefs are formed from the moment you are birthed. Every sound, touch, sight, smell and taste is sending a message to your brain which remembers it and programs your responses.

When messages come in a loving, caring and supportive way they build positive empowering beliefs. When they come in a harsh ridiculing way, or by way of a failure, they place a lid on our level of performance. These are limiting beliefs. The stories we tell in our mind come from our life events. They become the source of these beliefs. They may come from your parents. Maybe a teacher or other authority figure. Peers are a great source of encouragement but also ridicule. However they reach you they are instrumental in forming the beliefs of your subconscious mind.

We all have a favorite memory. Its a story you retell in your mind and it is interpreted as a truth. The funny thing is it has been proven our memories our not really as good as we think.

My upbringing was in a loving, kind and positive environment. I was encouraged in every endeavor. Yet I developed a set of limiting beliefs in my subconscious that until recently I was able to keep at bay.  Looking back, I realize they were there and would have been easier to deal with at the original moment but we don’t always recognize them for what they are.

Our beliefs are significant in determining our behaviors. If they are empowering beliefs, we will behave in an empowered way. Our Negative or limiting beliefs will never allow our full potential to be revealed.  Your self esteem becomes less and if it’s only 4 on a scale of 1 – 10 your level of success will only ever be a 4.

Even if your potential says you could be an 8.

I need to know I am able to take my thoughts captive and deal with them so they are not a negative impact in my life.

SOME STEPS TO CHANGE LIMITING BELIEF

There are several different ways to eliminate the ‘Stinkin Thinkin’. Author Jack Canfield has a good solution in his book “The Success Principles” He says we are to:

1. Identify the limiting belief you want to change.
   • This is where you listen to your self talk
2. Determine how this belief affects you.
3. Decide how you want to act, feel or think differently about this belief
4. Create a turnaround statement that affirms and gives you the permission to feel or act differently.

Remember to review these turnaround statements on a daily basis. Maybe even more frequently. You might also refer to them as a positive affirmation. They become a weapon in your arsenal as you battle the thoughts you are having. Take them captive and beat them into oblivion by practicing positive self talk.

When you are listening to your self talk, be aware of what you are saying. Take your thoughts captive. Don let them harm you. A transformation is possible. And that transformation takes place through a renewal of your mind. The bible says we should dwell on what is beautiful, good, noble and creative.

13For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Guard your mind. Keep it safe. Your life depends on it.

Question: How do you deal with the negative self talk in your mind? Please comment below or on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.