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Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Influences
Garry Zancanaro
The environment that we grow up in, and the influences we
are exposed to as children, have a substantial and lasting
impact on our thinking, even if we aren't aware of it.
The greatest initial source of influence on us is our parents,
and any older siblings, as these are generally the people
that we spend the most time with as young children.
This usually continues as we grow into teenagers, and adults,
with an ever widening range of influence also affecting our
thinking. Of course, as we grow and develop as individuals
we develop our own opinions and outlook on life. However,
there's no doubt that, to some degree, the opinions of our
family and friends affect our beliefs, our expectations, our
opinions, in fact the very way we live our lives. So do countless
other external sources, such as education, religion, television,
films, books, magazines, newspapers, radio and many more.
It's hard to say what percentage of our beliefs and values
have actually come from our own thoughts and experiences,
and how much comes from outside influences that we have accepted
as fact without even actively thinking about them. This also
varies considerably from person to person, as some people
are more readily susceptible to outside influence than others.
Some of our most positive and constructive personal attributes
and values develop as a result of external influences, but
so can negative character traits and beliefs.
Some people can become so conditioned in their thinking that,
although they want success and to make something of their
lives, their deeply held beliefs and conditioning can actually
sabotage their best efforts.
If, for example, you grew up in an environment where money
is always scarce and making ends meet was a constant battle,
you can easily come to believe deep down that this is what
you can expect in your life.
You may seriously desire much greater success, and even work
hard towards it, but at a subconscious level, you can actually
hold yourselves back by imposing self limiting beliefs and
expectations on yourself, without even being aware of it.
It can be almost as if you believe deep down that you don't
deserve to be prosperous and successful.
The media compounds these beliefs. How many books and films
are there featuring stereotypes such as 'poor but honest and
hard working folk' who have been used and abused in some way
by the 'rich and corrupt millionaire''? Everyone loves an
underdog and these stories can be very entertaining, but they
also tend to reinforce the belief that financial success and
sound moral values are mutually exclusive.
But this can also work in the exact opposite way. Many people
become successful because they are so determined not to live
the way their parents had to live, that this becomes their
driving force. They either totally believe they have the right
to be successful, or they overcome any conditioned beliefs
that could hold them back.
As we grow up and get older, the influence of the family may
lessen as we spend more time with other people. The people
we choose to associate with can also have a great effect on
our lives and our thinking. More often than not, we aren't
even aware just how much influence other people can have.
Do you associate with people who have a positive outlook on
life and are trying to make something of themselves and their
lives, or are you mixing with negative people with little
or no ambitions? I think it was Brian Tracy who said 'you
can't expect to fly like an eagle if you hang out with turkeys'
or words to that effect.
Could you be spending time with people that could influence
you to move forward in the direction of your goals? What other
outside influences or conditioned beliefs could be holding
you back?
Being aware of, and overcoming any limiting beliefs or influences,
can be one of the most important actions we ever take for
our success and happiness. And this is not just about financial
success; this applies to whatever your idea of success and
happiness is.
Possibly the most important belief anyone can develop is to
firmly believe that you can do anything that you commit to.
If you genuinely, positively, believe that you can do something,
if you are determined and committed, and make the plans and
take action, there's no doubt you can do it.
But it also works in reverse - if you believe you can't do
something, you're also right.
It really is as simple as that. It starts with knowing exactly
what you want, and then having a big enough 'why' for wanting
it, developing a burning desire to achieve it, and having
total belief that you can achieve it.
Then you will find, or develop, the resources and skills needed,
make the plans, and take the actions necessary to succeed.
You may well have to overcome conditioned beliefs and external
influences, and be prepared to swim against the tide, but
it will be more than worth it to.
"I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed
by belief"
- Gerry Spence
Garry Zancanaro is founder of SelfImprovementDirectory.com
(visit to claim a FREE Think and Grow Rich),
and creator of SuperSuccessLibrary.com,
a collection of the Best Success Resources.
Article Source: http://www.upublish.info
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