Overcome Obstacles To Create A Better Life
Our belief system is a complex mesh of positive and negative ideas. We all have an inner voice that can be our biggest source of encouragement or criticism. Negative beliefs pop up when you find yourself thinking "I'm not good enough", "I'm not able to do it", or "nothing works out for me". When you hear this negative voice often enough, you start to believe it. These negative beliefs then stop you from taking action towards a better life.
Use Affirmations To Silence Your Inner Critic
When you find your inner critic putting obstacles in your way, change the voice to say "stop" and then replace the negative thought with a positive affirmation. Good affirmations assert the positive rather than deny the negative. For example, "I can do this" is a positive affirmation whereas "I will not fail" denies an already negative idea. Examine your limiting beliefs to discover what positive affirmations you need to empower yourself.
Limiting Beliefs
Many people go through life with limiting beliefs that constrain what they think they can achieve. Limiting beliefs give rise to a vicious cycle of poor decisions yielding poor results which then reinforce the limiting belief. If you believe that you are "no good with money", this idea will be manifest in your behaviour. If you spend recklessly, don't save and neglect to pay your bills on time, the poor results of this behaviour will reinforce the belief that you really are "no good with money". The frustrating cycle continues as we attract situations that reinforce our limiting beliefs. Let's take an example from personal relationships: if you believe that people are essentially greedy and unkind, you will find yourself making excuses for loved ones when they are greedy and unkind. Their behaviour, and your acceptance of it, becomes "proof" that people are not inherently kind.
Limiting beliefs typically provide reasons to not do something you desire, want or need. In this pattern of thinking, you are making excuses and creating obstacles for yourself. Once you recognise the excuses you can begin to challenge them with positive reasons why you can achieve what you desire.
Some common examples of limiting beliefs are:
I can't get a better job because I didn't go to college.I can't get fit because I was never any good at sports.
I can't start a business because I don't have enough money.
I can't save for a house because I'm no good with money.
I can't find a partner because I'm not attractive enough.
Now fill in your list of limiting beliefs:
I can't _____________________ because_______________________I can't _____________________ because_______________________
I can't _____________________ because_______________________
I can't _____________________ because_______________________
I can't _____________________ because_______________________
To challenge your limiting beliefs, rewrite the statements affirming what you can do.
For example:I can get a better job because I'm willing to work hard.
I can get fit because I really want to be healthy.
I can start a business because I have a good idea.
I can save for a house because I'll use a saving plan.
I can find a partner because I have so much to give a relationship.
I can _____________________ because_______________________
I can _____________________ because_______________________
I can _____________________ because_______________________
I can _____________________ because_______________________
I can _____________________ because_______________________