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How Our Belief Systems Shape Our Lives.



Has it ever occurred to you that to a great extent how your life turns out depends on you?

You might agree to this thought, maybe to a given point or you might strongly disagree.

Well, it is allowed you know.

We all have different perceptions to different aspects of life and I am not claiming to be right…or wrong.

But am glad to share my thoughts

Am undecided about fate but am certain that our belief systems largely contribute to how our lives turn out.
Well, look at this, our beliefs are powerful mechanisms that inform our choices. The choices we make in the long run drive our actions.

Our belief systems then, act as a road map, a compass that if is errant can lead you to a life of detours.

Well, I know I might have sounded so wise there but its Demarco who said these words in his book: The Fastlane Millionaire.

Now, before we delve any deeper, some definitions.

What are beliefs?

Assumptions that we hold on to as life truths. They are born from our life experiences and are tied onto us as reality. They get to inform almost every aspect of our lives, our work and the relationships we have. And yes, they hold an essential part in our identity. They tell who we are either from the moral, religious or cultural dimensions. These beliefs then get to a point where they inform our values. Values are the qualities and principles within us that we hold in high regard. These values inform judgement. These judgements then shape our behaviour and choices, which determine our actions. So, lets say all these circle right back into our belief systems.
Depending on our life experiences, some of us end up having limiting beliefs.

As pointed out earlier, the beliefs we hold will define the perspective we have about our life experiences. The stronger these beliefs, the harder they are for us to confront. We therefore find evidence to support them.

You will often hear statement like….

” this is the way things are done…..,

everyone else is doing it,

it has become part of my life now, it is too difficult to change.

Most of us hold these beliefs as ultimate truths.


Shifting from limiting belief systems

Is it possible for us to shift our belief system from limiting beliefs when we are so used to them that we even identify with them?

Well, YES IT IS.

Here are a few steps you can start making towards letting go of limiting beliefs that hold you back.
Resolving to not identifying with limiting beliefs is a great place to start from. Sometimes you get so absorbed in these beliefs that you let yourself believe them as ultimate truths.

Taking a step back gives you a chance to define interrogate your belief system against facts and reality.

This allows you to separate what you have been conditioned to believe and define for yourself what you actually believe.

The next step is asking questions.
Why do you hold a certain belief to be true and what is the evidence.

During this step, you might realize that what you believe to be true is actually negotiable.

You have the power to question all your beliefs and kill any false and limiting ones.

The third step is to test your belief system.
Test your assumptions and conclusions about a given belief.

Get to understand why you hold a certain belief and if possible include some type of action to examine your beliefs.

Catch yourself when you start to look for confirmation to reinforce your biased beliefs.

Do you have some limiting beliefs?

Email: brnosano@gmail.com

 

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