Eliminate your most self-defeating belief

Author- Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

All of us have beliefs that get in our way. And for many of us, there is one in particular – some nagging, habitual tenet that we have come to accept as “just the way things are.” For me, it was my belief that “I don’t have enough time.” Day after day, for most of my adult life, I would remind myself of this limiting concept. Sometimes I would tell myself this many times in a single day.

What possible value could there be in telling yourself this – or any- self-created negative belief? Consider the subtle messages that go along with this idea. After all, if I believe that “I don’t have enough time,” I must also believe that “I’ll never get something done on time,” “I’ll be under constant pressure,” “There’s no time to lose,” as well as other related, limiting ideas that directly interfere with my success and quality of life. Does this belief help me get things done? Of course not! Does it bring me joy? No. Any effect this belief has is strictly negative.

What’s your most self-defeating belief? Is it that you believe you aren’t good enough, or lucky enough? Maybe you believe you don’t deserve success, or that other people control your destiny. Perhaps you believe that people are out to get you, or that you are a victim of circumstance. Whatever it is, it’s not worth keeping and it’s certainly not worth defending! But each time you remind yourself- by telling yourself- of your limiting belief, you are reinforcing an idea that directly interferes with your own success. It puts a wall between where you are and where you want to be. Each time you say to yourself, “I never get any breaks,” or “I can’t help it, I’ve always been that way,” or whatever negative message you are sending, it’s as if you are saying to yourself, “I don’t want to succeed.” Each time I slip into my old habit of telling myself I don’t have enough time, I keep in mind the damage I am inflicting on myself. I remind myself that there is zero value in this, or any, self-defeating belief. I suggest you do the same thing.

You may be surprised, even shocked, at how often you repeat self-defeating statements to yourself and/or to others. The good news is that you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easily you can rid yourself of their negative effects. Simply refuse to continue. Make a commitment to yourself to stop reinforcing this – and all- negative beliefs by discussing them, or even thinking about them. As familiar negativity comes to mind, gently dismiss it as you would flies at a picnic. Don’t give it your valuable attention. Save your energy for positive ideas and action. Once you get your most self-defeating ideas out of the way, you’ll discover that abundance and joy will be right around the corner.

I hope you enjoyed reading this message as much as I did!