Happy National Beliefs Day

Happy National Beliefs day!

Welcome to the first ever celebration of this event. You know how I know it's the first event? Because I just started it. I figure we can celebrate it on the first Monday of April every year. Today will be a day where we can select (at least) one of our beliefs and look at where it came from and how it is serving us in our lives.?

First let me share some quotes around Beliefs so we can be clear on what we are talking about:

“Beliefs are the compass and maps that guide us toward our goals and give us the surety to know we’ll get there.”?

Robbins

“The generalizations we make about ourselves, others and the world. Beliefs act as self-fulfilling prophecies that influence all our behaviors.”?

Joseph O’Connor and John Seymour

“Beliefs are not necessarily based upon a logical framework of ideas.”

?Dilts?

Beliefs are generalizations we make about the world and our opinions about it. They form the rules about what we think we can and cannot do. They are also our basis for what we should and shouldn't do.? This is where the challenge comes in.?

I love Robert’s quote about beliefs not being based on a logical framework of ideas.? Our beliefs come from many people and events in our lives. Usually in the first 10 years of our lives. Yes, most beliefs people have are from their childhood.?

They are based on who we modeled in our lives and who we were around during those formative years.?

There could have been a family thought about how something is done and then it becomes a rule and then a belief. “We always do…… like this” and then you forget where it came from but you continue with the action since it is now a “rule” you have on how to act.?

Phobias tend to be beliefs that come from a one time learning. You experienced something that was problematic and then your unconscious mind makes a rule about it. You now have a belief around that situation. As an example, If someone has a large dog that barks loudly and acts aggressively towards them at a young age they may have the belief that all dogs are scary.?

You can see that the issue could be that you may of been misinformed with that one circumstance or that those that “taught you” your beliefs may of had a purpose for believing what they did and it served them well but for you it does not.?

Beliefs are such a deep part of who we are that we rarely think about them or where they came from. We just accept that those are the rules we live by and that others should as well.?

This is where? you may find that an area of your life isnt working the way you would like it to. If you were to look at your Values and beliefs in this area of your life you will likely find something that is not supporting you to get to where you want to be.?

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If someone was to try to change your mind about these beliefs you would most likely dig in deeper with your viewpoint. That is why I came up with this “holiday” to allow us space to be able to be open and honest with ourselves and see if our beliefs in a certain area of our lives are not supporting us the way we would like them to. If they are not, then you can work to explore other options and ways of thinking that would be more beneficial to you.?

I work with clients on Values and beliefs all the time and it is amazing how we can shift once we find the right filters to support us on our current journey.?

What is one area of your life you would like to improve? Take a look at your beliefs in that area and see if there is something you may want to explore another view point.?

#beliefs #mentalhealth #coaching #linkedIn