What is that thread? It's our own limiting beliefs.
By using the term "limiting beliefs," I mean that we often are our own worst enemies because we don't believe that we can achieve what we want to do for various reasons. And our own mindset often becomes our reality.....which is why cultivating the right mindset can really be the key to our success.
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This is important stuff to consider not just from a self-improvement perspective, but also from a parent's perspective. If we manifest our limiting beliefs in our daily lives, and our kids pick up on that, they might grow up with limiting beliefs of their own.
Of course, to some extent, our outlook is a product of our society. We live in a world that prioritizes hard work, output, and material success. So, if we're not working "hard enough" - whatever that means - or we're not making financially measurable progress, we often feel like failures. This sense of perfectionism just isn't healthy, and I for one don't want Anna growing up to feel that way.
However, that's not to say I don't want her to have a solid work ethic. I do, and I confess that in some ways, I myself am a perfectionist. But I want Anna to know that, while she should put in her best effort, she should care more about trying hard than about the outcome. Winning is great, but I don't want to be as hung up on the result as society is in general.
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After all, some of the best lessons and experiences come from the situations where we don't win. We can learn as much - and gain as much - from those as from the times when we come out on top. And if all we care about is being number one, of course we're going to feel let down when we aren't.....and that will foster limiting belief # 1 - that we can't do it.
Therefore, what we have to do is find a way to attack that negativity - to believe that, in fact, we can do it. What this requires will vary from person to person, but it could be as simple as writing ourselves positive reminders or notes, or reading inspirational quotes or other materials. It could mean retraining our brains to counter negative thoughts with positive ones. It could entail making the effort to track our progress, or to remind ourselves daily of one positive thing we did each day. Maybe it will require fine-tuning our goals a bit - perhaps breaking them down into smaller steps so that we can really begin to see and feel progress before tackling the bigger ones.
Whatever it means for you, do it. Because if you really work at changing your perspective, your life will change too. Your family and friends will notice the change in you, and it might help their perspectives to change too. Your optimism and confidence will be noted by others, and you will attract more positive energy in your life.
Aside from learning to believe that you can do it, whatever "it" is for you, there are also other attitude shifts that are crucial in our efforts to succeed. One is to drown out the naysayers. If you're surrounded by negativity - get new surroundings. Don't let anyone convince you to buy into limiting belief number 2, that you have a "station," or a preordained place in this world. We all know people like this - people who believe that they (or others) are who they are and they have their specified lot in life, and that will never change, for better or for worse.
Says who?
There are a number of other ways in which, perhaps without realizing it, we limit ourselves - fear of what others will think of us, apprehension about taking risks, etc. So check out this article and see if you see any of yourself in it. If so, what can you do to change that? How can you begin to truly believe in yourself? To avoid negative influences? To take risks if you need to in order to realize your dreams?
Believing in yourself is the first step to accomplishing your goals. Try it, and see how your life changes.
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