Question your beliefs: removing the shackles that hold you back
Beliefs are a funny thing. We often take them for granted and never question them. But, our beliefs play a huge role in how we navigate the world.
Many of our unexamined beliefs hold us back from achieving our goals and living a full life. In this article, we will question our beliefs and remove the shackles that hold us back. I will also provide an exercise adapted from JP Sears to help bring awareness to our beliefs. So, let’s get started!
The problem with the four year old behind the wheel
Imagine you are a passenger riding a bus with a four year old at the wheel. Now imagine the four year old is ashamed of not being enough to get everyone to their destination. He insists on being in charge to prove to others he is enough. This makes telling him to stop driving the bus all the more difficult.
Would you in your right mind be okay with that? Sure, having a four year drive the bus might be exciting — the same way being a passenger to a drunk driver is exciting. But, choosing a drunk driver, and for that matter a four year old, comes with serious limitations and risks.
Would you say anything to this four year old who insists on driving the bus? Could you say anything given his complex? What if we risk everyone’s safety if we don’t understand why this four year insists on driving?
Our beliefs may not necessarily put you in danger, but they sure do prevent you from getting to where you want to go.
Our beliefs determine the quality of our lives
Beliefs play a huge role in our lives. They are the filters through which we see the world. But, often our beliefs go unexamined and we take them for granted. Unfortunately for many, their beliefs can prevent them from achieving our goals.
That’s what we’re going to do with our beliefs. I’m going to invite you to question your beliefs to find out who is driving the bus of your life.
Exercise:
Write down what are five beliefs you have about yourself?
- who taught it to you?
- where did it come from?
- who modeled it?
What are five beliefs you have about other people?
- who taught it to you?
- where did it come from?
- who modeled it?
What are five beliefs you have about the world?
- who taught it to you?
- where did it come from?
- who modeled it?
What are five beliefs you know are limiting?
- who taught it to you?
- where did it come from?
- who modeled it?
What might upgrades to some of these beliefs be?
After you’ve outlined 20 or so beliefs about yourself, others, and the world, here’s the next step:
Going further
imagine yourself three years down the line from where you are today. In other words, if today is March 5th, 2022, imagine you are in the future and it is March 5th, 2025.
What gifts has one of your upgraded beliefs bestowed upon you in this imagined future?
Get creative with it! Allow yourself to feel what it would be like if the upgraded belief were true. Then, write about the gifts or release that comes as a result of that upgraded belief.
You may not believe all (or any) of these upgraded beliefs yet. But! By questioning your old beliefs you open up the possibility for change. And sometimes that’s all we need to get started on our journey.