To believe the impossible dream. What do you believe? Is it working for you? Do you believe that you’re able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Do you fear you won’t be able to? We all have our beliefs, do those beliefs work for us? Are your beliefs allowing you to achieve your dreams? “If you like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ~Maya Angelou.
It’s those beliefs that you have…that you come to accept as truth, that actually may not be working for you. You’re so used to them…so comfortable with them, that you don’t really stop and look at them to know if they’re good or bad, true or false…if they work or don’t work. These beliefs form the way you live your life though. Your beliefs about yourself can push you to explore new opportunities or to close you off from the risks of getting hurt and making mistakes. Your beliefs about your world and your place in it, determines how you interact with others and what you allow yourself to experience.
My own life’s challenges have pushed me to take chances that I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. I had been concerned about taking risks. What if things didn’t work out? Well, what if they didn’t work out? What would be the worst thing that would happen? The worst thing that would happen is that I would learn from that failure and move on to take another chance. I would move on to do better the next time. I learned that a different way. I was thrust into a serious health situation years ago that pushed me to vault many hurdles to realize what it’s like to achieve one’s dreams. I would not have chosen that lesson, but because of it I know what can be accomplished if you continue to jump with a bit of humor and focus while looking to find your rainbow. I wouldn’t have taken the chances I’ve taken in my work life, or personal life. For instance, when I wanted to have a second child I asked my doctor if I could do that…it had been a while since I had had any change in my yearly medical visits. He said to me “you’ll live as long if you have another child, as you will if you don’t”. I wouldn’t say that was chockfull of positivity, but the fact is you live every day and you move forward. None of us know how long we will live. I had another beautiful daughter. Several years later I did get sick again, but I dealt with it. The fact that I have pushed myself to take risks has allowed me to experience more great days than not.
This is a list of common limiting beliefs. Do any seem familiar? Have you repeated these or similar words as a reason for not pursuing your dreams or expressing your true voice?
- It will be tough
- I don’t have any support
- I can’t afford to take a risk
- It will take too long
- We don’t need any more family drama
- It can’t be done
- I’m too old
- I’m not old enough
- It’s too intimidating
- It’s against the rules
- I don’t have the right education (degree, license, certification, etc)
The underlying issue behind most of the beliefs or excuses-like those above-is the question of deservedness or worth. If you don’t address beliefs that may be limiting you, it doesn’t matter how many books you read, how many seminars you attend, or how many therapists, religious leaders, or coaches you pour your heart out to. You’ll remain stuck. You’ll be held bound by chains you’ve put on yourself. Regardless of how unbreakable those chains seem, with a little faith and practice, you’ll discover that it’s possible to control what you believe about yourself and the world around you. When you learn how to believe differently about yourself, questions like “Do I deserve this?” begin to dissolve away. Start today.