Limiting beliefs

Each of us carries an invisible backpack. In this backpack are our thoughts and beliefs. But sometimes there are heavy stones in it. These stones are like limiting beliefs: they are thoughts that tell us we cannot do something. Limiting beliefs are sneaky. They whisper things like: "You cannot give a speech, because that is too difficult." Because of these beliefs, our backpack feels heavy and our adventures are less fun.

When we do that, we feel lighter and are ready to discover more.

The first step to removing these stones is talking about them.

Trying new things is like a secret key to adventure. When we try, we learn that we can do more than we thought. Perhaps we can learn to speak in front of an audience.

Every time we do something we thought was difficult, it is a victory. We should celebrate these victories.

Two magic words to help us are "not yet". Instead of saying: "I cannot do this", we say: "I cannot do this yet." This has great power. Do not forget that our minds are like muscles. The more we practise thinking "I can", the stronger they become.

And you can go a step further, every time you change a "cannot" into a "can", you take a stone out of your backpack.

So the next time you think you cannot do something, remember that you have not learned it yet. Keep trying and soon you will succeed.

By Karl Mortier