Sell-limiting Beliefs

In my meditation class I refer to neuroplasticity - the process by which the brain learns new skills and creates new habits.

Our brains strengthen the mental pathways that we apply with consistency.

Repetition of a thought or idea fosters learning, aids belief and creates our new norm, our reality.

But that doesn't mean that everything we teach ourselves is true or helpful.

While we can teach ourselves to be more grateful or capable,

or train our brains to focus, or be calm.

So can we can fuel our own anxiety, or teach ourselves that we are incapable.

I have been telling myself for several years now that I would never be able to complete a certain task.

Which is ironic as I happen to believe that there is nothing we cannot achieve, if we put our minds to it.

But I now realise that I have fuelled this thought to such an extent,

that the self-limiting belief I have imposed on myself is more difficult to overcome than the original task.

By allowing myself to entertain the idea of failure, with certainty,

I have created a mental pathway of great strength.

And I have some work ahead of me to weaken it.

In order to achieve that, I must create a stronger, competing mental pathway of self-empowering belief.

Which my brain will eventually favour.

Sounds simple when you put it like that doesn't it?

It could be a formula.

The formula for success

In fact, this formula could be applied to creating the new pathway, or achieving the task.

But I am not yet ready to start building a competing mental pathway for this particular task.

At this time, I still believe I can't do it.

That's how powerful and damaging the limiting behaviour has become.

Imagine how powerful the opposite would have been...

If I had been able to tell myself all this time that I would someday complete the task.

Never underestimate the power of your thoughts, words and beliefs, and the impact on yourself and others. Particularly when applied with frequency and intensity.

Give self-deprecation and self doubt no quarter.

You cannot imagine the damage indulging those behaviours does, or how long it may take you to reverse the beliefs.

Focus on the light, always.