BELIEFS- THE FORCE THAT DRIVES US

(This article appeared in the July issue of Student Plus, a magazine for MBA and CA aspirants)

Ever heard the story of the four-minute mile? For years people believed that it is impossible for a human being to run a mile in less than four minutes until Dr. Roger Banister proved it wrong in 1954. Within a year, 37 runners broke that ‘belief barrier’. And the year after that, 300 other runners did the same thing.

What do you think was different?
You have used a computer keyboard or a typewriter. Ever wondered why the letters of the alphabet are organized in a particular order in your keyboard?
You might have thought it is to increase the typing speed. Agreed that this also the most popular belief. Most people have never questioned it.

But the fact is that this system was developed to reduce the typing speed at a time when typewriter parts would jam if the operator typed too fast.

These are examples that showcase the immense power of beliefs. A belief is the most powerful force that drives us to do what we want to and be what we want to and that is the POWER OF BELIEF.
We can create or destroy anything just by believing that we can. A belief delivers a direct command to our nervous system and that is what drives us.

Have you heard about the placebo effect?
People are told a certain drug will have a certain effect and many a times people will experience that effect even when the given pill is without the said chemical properties.
Its funny but it works!

So what are beliefs?
You and I witness the world and experience it every moment. Beliefs are formed from our experiences. Our beliefs come from what we know and how we came to know about anything. Beliefs are opinions and convictions that are true or real to us. They are strings of thought that strengthen with time.
They’re both conscious and unconscious.

It is also our belief that determines how much of our potential we will be able to tap. Hence it is very important that we know our beliefs and evaluate whether our beliefs help us live the life that we desire or they limit us.

What are some of the sources of beliefs?
• Environment
• Parents
• Religion
• Teachers
• Events
• Past experiences
• Thoughts

Here are some beliefs you could possibly refer to…

Do you believe that you can excel in whatever you do?
Do you believe you cannot dance?
Do you believe that life is a struggle?
What are your religious beliefs?
What are your beliefs about people?

No belief is right or wrong. A belief is just a belief. It either empowers or limits us. The point is for us to choose our beliefs wisely. How do you know whether your beliefs are working for you?

The best way to know is looking at the way you do things. A way of doing things soon becomes ‘the’ way of doing things. But is that ‘the way’ the one that is empowering you?
If it is not helping or empowering, you need a shift.

And for the shift to happen, you need to identify a particular behavior pattern and the beliefs associated with it. And you can then create a new pattern and make those beliefs work for you.

Take this instance…
A Russian weight lifter was training and at one point he could not lift 500 pounds. He made umpteen number of attempts and every time he got the same result- no lift. The coach sat down with him and had a little chat. He asked him to take his position once again. The coach did a small thing; he put 501.5 pounds on the bar and told his pupil that he set it up at 499 pounds. The lifter took the weight and cleared it. The coach then revealed the truth to him.
Now you answer the question, “What was heavier the weight or the belief?”
“Life is not about having new things but about looking through new eyes”

Take a couple of minutes and do this exercise.

Take a belief that is limiting you; one which is not helping you live the way you want to. Now that you have identified that it is dis-empowering you, rephrase your limiting beliefs into empowering and positive beliefs.

Remember that your beliefs have to be pure and strong or else the old beliefs will take back its place.
Have you heard yourself saying, “I am not good enough”?
Rephrase it with, “I am intelligent, smart and have all the resources within me to make it big”. A belief is like the driver of the bus of our lives. The question: Is the driver belief a good one? And if it isn’t then you need to fire that driver and hire a new and empowering driver for a belief.

Cheers to a Positive life,