Three Keys to Change Your Beliefs and Be Happier
What if your own beliefs are holding you back in life? Could the very things that you believe be putting limitations on what you’re capable of, what you think you’re allowed to do, and have, and experience? Human beings have a tendency to look to external factors when trying to explain what’s keeping them from being successful or happy, but in my experience, it’s often our own beliefs that are getting in the way of those things. How do you change your beliefs effectively?
First Key: Understand How Beliefs Function
Belief is a powerful force that has the ability to shape and define one’s identity, impact one’s actions, and direct decisions. A lot of our beliefs about life are formed when we’re young. We learn from the people around us, authority figures who we revere and trust. This can be limiting if the people around us have a limited view of what is possible.
It’s hard to break away from these limiting beliefs, but it is possible. Start with questioning why your beliefs are what they are, then explore that further in order to understand it at a deeper level. There’s a tendency to assess beliefs as either right or wrong, but I encourage my clients to focus instead on whether a belief is helping you get what you want in life or not. Does the belief serve you?
There will always be different angles from which you can approach understanding belief – from a historical standpoint to an individual’s personal truth. Ultimately, belief can be seen as something of a guidance system – pointing you in the direction of where you want to go and offering direction for when life gets confusing. Sometimes beliefs are built on facts, while at other times they are created from anecdotal experience.
It can be disheartening to learn that something we’ve always believed isn’t actually true. But it’s important to remember that beliefs aren’t always based on facts, especially when our beliefs are rooted in biases and assumptions. Instead of holding onto something that may not be accurate or true, take some time to explore the possibility that your belief isn’t completely accurate, or perhaps it’s even flat out wrong. This creates an opportunity for growth.
In order to move forward in life, it’s important to understand where you are coming from. Take some time to reflect on your current beliefs; what do you believe? What fears or doubts do you have? Are there any patterns that appear in your thoughts and feelings? Once you identify the beliefs that are holding you back, it will be easier for you to work towards breaking them down.
It is a bold step to take when someone actively chooses to challenge their own beliefs, as it can often feel like swimming against the current. People tend to be more comfortable staying within their comfort zone and simply accepting what they have been previously told. Questioning one’s beliefs can be a fearful situation, or simply too difficult or complex to contemplate.
It’s much easier to go along with familiar narratives; however, without delving into topics and pushing the boundaries of our own ideas, we cannot truly reach higher levels of understanding or insight into our own lives. The courage to boldly doubt your own conventions and mental models should not be underestimated – questioning even your most cherished beliefs can lead to greater possibilities that were otherwise hidden from sight.
Second Key: Challenging Your Limiting Beliefs
Once you understand your own limiting beliefs, it’s time to challenge them. Ask yourself questions like “Is this really true?” or “Would I feel differently if I had a different outlook?” Challenging your own assumptions helps broaden your perspective and gives you a new point of view. You may even find that some of the beliefs that seemed so real before weren’t actually true at all!
One of the best ways to identify limiting beliefs is to think about what you may have told yourself in the past that has held you back from achieving something. We tend to be more critical of ourselves than others, so it can be easy to slip into negative self-talk without noticing. Acknowledge and bring awareness to these thoughts as they arise and ask yourself if this is something that could possibly limit your potential?
Another way to discover hidden limiting beliefs is by reflection – ask yourself questions such as “What would my life look like if I had no fears or doubts?” or “What has been holding me back lately?” Taking a step back and reflecting can help reveal beliefs that may be causing self-sabotage. Finally, talking with trusted mentors and coaches who know us deeply can also provide guidance in recognizing what our limiting beliefs might be.
Third Key: Creating New Beliefs
To change your beliefs is to create new beliefs, and that often starts with reframing thoughts. Reframing means considering a situation through a different lens, gaining a new perspective. It often involves taking a thought that was initially negative and finding a more productive or meaningful way of thinking. Reframing thoughts effectively requires practice, but the benefits can be abundant. Through reframing, an individual can better understand themselves and the events that shape their life, promoting greater emotional balance within themselves.
Next, it is important to practice self-awareness. Self-awareness is a powerful tool for understanding our own belief systems because it forces us to disrupt old patterns and engage with them in honest reflection. With self-awareness, we can examine our personal perspective and identify the particular influences which have shaped our beliefs – whether they are cultural norms, parental values, or our own unique experiences.
We can also develop an understanding of what it means to grow and change beliefs over time; assessing their relevance to the present, deciding where they may need adjustment, and feeling empowered to make those changes. Ultimately, self-awareness helps us to understand how the often unexamined factors have built our distinct worldviews, allowing us greater insight into ourselves and those around us.
Finally, surround yourself with inspiring people who are open-minded and willing to explore new beliefs. If you have people around you who are rigid in their beliefs and unwilling to consider new possibilities, what chance do you have of being supported in your own growth and changing your beliefs? New seeds require fertile soil. Having the right people around you gives you motivation, ideas, and support in creating a new mindset for yourself.
With patience and persistence, you can change your beliefs and remove the old beliefs that limited you. Take some time today to reflect on yourself and create some positive changes. If you want support in this, consider joining the “Path to Purpose” six week coaching program. This online group program helps participants clarify their values and beliefs, using that clarity to develop a greater sense of purpose so that you can live a joyful life.
