It has been wisely pointed out:
If you are full of an answer, you have no space for questions.
Some of our old answers may not serve us so well any more, and we may need to let go of them if we are to create space for new answers.
Our beliefs are a very powerful impact on our behavior. It is common knowledge that if someone really believes s/he can do something s/he will do it, and if s/he believes something is impossible no amount of effort will convince them otherwise. Not surprising then, that our beliefs about ourselves and what is possible in the world around us greatly impact our day-to-day effectiveness.
Times of transition and crisis highlight this even more strongly. The beliefs and stories that we and others hold during an unstable or crucial time determine just how resourceful we can be. The more limiting beliefs, the less resourceful.
Transforming Limiting Beliefs
Empowering beliefs help us to identify and take best advantage of potential opportunities, while limiting beliefs focus us on danger and can trap us into old survival strategies like attack, retreat or freeze.
Not surprising, then, that we talk about “thought viruses.” Such “thought viruses” can “infect” our minds just as a physical virus can infect our bodies or a computer virus can infect a computer system. In all three cases the result is the same—all sorts of unwelcome malfunctions.
So is it time for an upgrade? You don’t have to be some eager early adopter of computer software to know that this is a good idea every so often. The same applies to the software between your ears.
Many of our beliefs were developed through parents, teachers, social upbringing, or media exposure before we were aware of their impact or able to consciously choose them. Good news, then, that we can unlearn, change, and restructure old beliefs that may be limiting us. We can also develop new ones that expand our potential beyond what we currently imagine possible.
If you want to know how to do this for yourself or others see you on the ITS NLP Master Practitioner Program.
This article created by Robert Dilts for ITS London was originally published as “NLP Mastery: Transforming Limiting Beliefs”
Become a Member for Your Expertly Curated Advice
Joining the Family Wealth Library means access to the information the legacy builders need to navigate family dynamics and protect our wealth. We can keep what is ours by managing familial challenges and building trust and transparency.