How to Stop Letting Old Beliefs Define You

Is your past holding you back? Life speeds by quickly, and if we're not careful, we can be trapped by belief systems that are no longer beneficial. Here is a simple process for helping you create and support new beliefs that can bring you the fulfillment and success that may have eluded you until now.

Accept That Change Is Possible

The first step to overcoming old beliefs is to believe that change is possible. Your current situation or past experiences can't constrain you.

Your mindset will dictate much of your life experience. Your thoughts influence your reality, which is driven by neurological processes. Neural pathways are created and strengthened when you repeat beliefs. That means the more you convince yourself you can make positive change, the more likely you will see that reality.

Begin each day by telling yourself that you can move past old belief systems. Follow that encouragement with an affirmation that you can embrace beliefs that allow you to achieve all your goals. Then, move on to the next step in changing the beliefs holding you back.

Question the Validity Of Your Beliefs

Once you accept that change is possible, you must reflect on the thoughts and beliefs that aren’t leading to your best experience. List them. Write them down where you can look at them.

Under a belief you want to change, write evidence you have to the contrary. For instance, you may believe that you were born to struggle financially. It's just not in the cards for you.

Question that belief. Look for evidence that wealth is achievable. You probably have financially healthy friends. There are plenty of wealthy people in the world. They achieved financial independence through various methods, and wealthy people come from vastly different backgrounds and situations.

Define Your New Beliefs

You know change is possible. You can move past limiting beliefs and embrace more empowering belief systems. The next step in this process is to define your new beliefs in detail.

List your values. Write down the 10 beliefs, character traits, or experiences that are most important to you. Then, select the five that are more important than the others. Use those five core values to reprogram your self-talk and start working toward a life that is important to you. This is one of the first exercises I use with the leaders that I coach and they say it helps them when doubt comes creeping back in.

You can change your beliefs. It all begins with the desire to create a new reality. Then, you convince yourself that change is possible and question the beliefs holding you back. Finally, reprogram your mind with positive self-talk that reinforces the new beliefs you want to embrace. This powerful mindset-shaping tool can lead you toward important achievements and fulfilling experiences.