Examining Your Own Belief Structure
Learning July 30th, 2010Examining Your Own Belief Structure
We each steer our lives around a set of beliefs we have on ourselves, on others and on the world around us. These beliefs shape our decisions, thoughts and ultimately our actions then as a result whether we know it or not. It is beliefs that also shape us into the individuals we are and it is these very beliefs that limit or allow us to change and grow in our lives as well. We all have them, we all have a unique set of beliefs even if many overlap, and we often don’t examine our beliefs enough to truly understand ourselves. Personal development is highly related to these beliefs and without taking time to understand them, we can never achieve the maximum personal growth we desire. So, in this article we will explore our belief structures as they are in intermingled critical point
It is common to reflect on questions about ourselves, about our character traits and the description we have of ourselves, and most people can do that quite easily but it’s much more difficult to describe one-self entirely on the beliefs that we have. That is where I feel the true character is revealed and knowledge of those beliefs lets each of us to move those from the subconscious mind to the conscious mind where we can shift our beliefs and decisions more easily by choice. Without examining your own belief structure, we easily confuse our beliefs and how they steer us, with situational excuses or victimization, both which highly limit our ability to change and grow in areas we are striving for improvement in to become a better person.
Core Values and Principles
Core values and principles are often looked at to define things or a person, but they are unfounded without also looking at the beliefs that shape them. Values and principle are really just the actions or results we show because of what we believe. For example, take integrity as a value or principle. Integrity is something that is shown when a person acts consistently with good judgment. Well that judgment is really part of the underlying belief. A person with integrity believes that making the right choice and acting consistently in those actions is worth doing or the right thing to do. The moral aspect here is not the point, the belief in this moral aspect however, is. You can have a similar value or principle with a negative side as well that is triggered by a belief. Some people believe that if they don’t get their way, then they will also lose power and it is a sign of weakness. The belief of this being a weakness steers that anger.
Activities
Core values then turn into action as we choose our activities in life. Perhaps our activities come about from circumstances you may think, but I think they are much more in line with our beliefs than we let ourselves realize. In fact, all of our actions are at the very least, influenced by our beliefs and so our activities are a result of choice, and the choices we each make are a direct result of our beliefs that steer those choices. So, beliefs impact this area of our lives as well.
Aspirations and Dreams
And finally, the area I so love to write about. Aspirations. Dreams. Everything we hope to become and do and learn is wrapped up inside our many aspirations. Our aspirations and dreams are a reflection of character and they define the spirit within that holds them. Our dreams as children create a path for life that could be followed by what imagination places in our minds. This creative mind is a catalyst to forming new beliefs and generates an internal motivation and drive to make the imaginative aspects reality, therefore also forging the belief the dream is based on into a realization. If only it were left on its own for this to happen…
Unfortunately, our dreams as children and aspirations through life are not shaped only by our imaginations. They are also shaped by the endless social aspects that form the majority of our beliefs and it is these beliefs that limit and bound our capabilities. Some people rely more heavily on these social influences than others, but we are all affected by them to some degree. The problem with them is that the social aspect makes wild dreams and aspirations something to be avoided, since it is less likely to ‘fit in’ or to be ‘realistic’ as others define it. To avoid embarrassment, fear of rejection and the many other limiting beliefs, we often succumb to what is more regularly accepted as ‘normal’ and we stop chasing our dreams. The beliefs that these social aspects are either more important or perhaps more likely shapes the decision we make when it comes to aspirations.  Some of us accept being the social outcast and are willing to take those consequences by still going for their ‘unique’ dream and others ignore their dreams in order to be accepted more by others. Both are beliefs, the difference is that we easily forget about the daily influences and beliefs that we all wish deep down we were not limited by.
So with all this weighing on your mind and thoughts, I leave you with just a simple question. What beliefs in your life are the strongest ones you have and how are they shaping your choices?
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July 31st, 2010 at 3:33 AM
As someone who is just about to complete an Ironman triathlon, I can honestly say that limiting beliefs have to be oversome by intrinsic motivation, ie motivation which comes from within. Here motivation is driven by an interest or enjoyment in the task itself. It’s dependent on:
* being able to attribute the end result to internal factors that you can control (e.g. the amount of effort you put in),
* a belief that you can influence the desired goals (i.e. the results are not determined by luck),
* how interested you are in mastering a topic, rather than just rote-learning to achieve a result: in other words, you need a deep understanding of the topic to be successful.
When training for an Ironman the desire to beat a previous personal best, some of the competition and the cheers of the crowd are all extrinsic and much less effective.
“You can have anything you want if you will give up the belief that you can’t have it.†– Dr. Robert Anthony quote
July 31st, 2010 at 7:14 AM
Hello,
I completely agree that we mould our own deisires, dreams, even values, based on outside influences.
Often by the time we are old enough to realise this, we have lost touch with what those feelings really are.
It takes a very strong person to ignore ALL of these influences!
Kate
August 1st, 2010 at 6:41 AM
What a great post to remind us to take inventory of our beliefs! Sometimes I’ve personally found myself on “autopilot”… letting my beliefs grow and adjust but without any conscious pruning. This was a great post and reminds me to ask “is this a useful belief?”
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 AM
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August 3rd, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Tough question, Mike. I’ve had to think about it for a couple days now.
I think my beliefs right now might be slightly conflicted, like I might not have one single, strongest belief (probably because I have beliefs that I WANT to have and beliefs that I ACTUALLY have in competition). As a result, I’m often torn between all the options.
Thanks for making me think, though.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:14 AM
This is something I struggle with a lot. But I think I have found a way to feel better about it. I have really strong beliefs and morals. I find that some people to live up to my expectations. an example. I will drop everything to help a friend out, but while I have the ability and freedom to it others may not. So I can’t get disappointed when someone can’t do the same for me, because of one thing or another.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:29 AM
Beliefs, Fears, and Dreams
No doubt beliefs can scare the heck out of us. If you believe alien monsters visit your backyard after dark for instance, chances are you ain’t goin’ there at midnight. But beliefs can do more than just keeping us inside at night. With Mike’s permission, I’d like to explain by putting a twist on his insightful post. In this article, he suggests “limiting beliefs like fear of rejection†can stop you and I from chasing our dreams. Most folks would probably agree with Mike too, having been paralyzed by fears of failing themselves. Even so, I’d like to suggest these fears don’t actually stop you and I from chasing our dreams. They stop us from dreaming. They keep our very own unique dreams from us. I’m sure you realize what that means. There’s no dreams to chase. It works like this. Imagine your own dreams of personal success are locked up in your head behind a tap. If the tap’s shut, they don’t come out. So? You need those special dreams to know who you are and can be. Without them you’re lost. Yes you can pick other people’s dreams of success off the shelf. I did. You can even go make them true. Done that myself too. Trouble is, that’s called “living a lie†or “pretending to be something you’re notâ€. Sounds good to you? No? Okay, so here’s the beef on a toasted bun. As we speak there really is a tap in your head keeping your “authentic dreams†from you. It’s called fear of being judged, failure, rejection…. call it what you will. And there’s only one thing keeping that tap screwed shut. A single mistaken belief about “you and the worldâ€. Change that belief and the “Real You†will burst out and succeed beyond your wildest dreams. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you what that mistaken belief is. For me to help you really change your Mind about the world though, we’d have to chat a bit more. Ready? Here it is. Right now you believe you and the world are separate. That’s wrong. You and the world are really just different parts of one whole. So what you say? I know, I know. It doesn’t look like much. But it’s probably the biggest and best thing you could ever believe in. Why? It lets you discover why you’re here and live the life you were meant to live. Ciao. John Duffield
August 9th, 2010 at 5:04 PM
John, thanks for the reply and I apologize it sat here for a few days as I have been out in the mountains back country hiking/camping. Anyway, your additional thoughts on this topic are great and I appreciate your own insights to this. I certainly agree that once you change that single limiting belief that we separate from the world of our dreams, it is true we can start to really be ourselves. I’m not sure others (and me for that matter) exactly know what you mean by “you and the world being one”. I think the belief we have that limits everything is that the world itself is limiting! It isn’t and so therefore we are not within it, we simply make that belief something that shapes and usually limits us. Without that limiting belief and knowing we can have and make our dreams, our dreams become reality as we go for them and they continue to expand more and more as they are realized. I agree 100% about the tap of dreams being shut off, its unfortunate so many of our social systems like education and many many work environments are the cause of that tap being shut off. If only personal development and the realization of dreams could reach everyone, we would certainly have a more incredible world to live in! Additional thoughts anyone?
August 11th, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Your core beliefs stem from your thoughts. Your way of thinking determines who you are and who you want to become. If you look at what most important to you. Then you have a clear glimpse of your values system.
Lets says couple is walking down a street. One man in a suit, then wife with a child. It’ alright to assume that the man is in business, which means his value is success, stability and stationary tool for desk top appliances. And the wife’s values revolve Gerber baby products and school tuition. This is what is meant by core values.
Now ask yourself, what do i believe and is this helping or hurting your career or life’s work. One you get the answers, you know what to do from there.
Great post.
August 15th, 2010 at 11:15 PM
Hi Mike,
How have you been?
Enjoying the mountains and hiking? 🙂
I agree with you that our beliefs/values are shaped and affected to some degree by social influence/structures. However, I believe at the end of the day, the choice to make a difference and continue to hold onto “your” belief and core values still belongs to each of us.
Some of us say we do not have choices. We all have choices. We chose to work at a 9-5 job because we believe that its secure and steady. We chose to work at a particular company. We chose to live a certain lifestyle.
We all make choices everyday. Consciously and subconsciously.
We do not want to be embarrassed or rejected, so lets not follow this particular dream.
The truth of the matter is that following our dreams, aspirations and goals take work….LOTS of work. So we tend to choose the easier path and spend our time complaining or wondering about what if scenarios instead of taking action towards our goals and dreams.
Thank you for the reminder to not stop dreaming Mike
😀
August 16th, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Awesome post! Beliefs really shape who we are. My mom taught us and we were little that close family bond is like a safe harbor where we find refuge. Life can be difficult at times and it at those times we may need a support system. The best support you can get is an unconditional bond from your family.
Let me share with you articles on family and relationships which I find very inspiring.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:20 PM
@jonathan – thanks for the comments and points about this tying into our thinking and living each day, so true…
@Vincent – I’ve been great my friend! Definitely enjoying the mountains. Choices are another great related topic and obviously one steered by beliefs. Your point is certainly true about how our choices shape our dreams and what we go after though. The easy road and safe road is typically the least rewarding when it comes to dreams and so those who work at it are certainly the ones most rewarded. Great additional thoughts, thanks!
@Kirstine – Great to have you visit and comment! Its wonderful not only knowing our beliefs, but also as you have greatly made example, knowing also where the belief came from and why it is important to us. Thanks for the site link as well!
August 17th, 2010 at 8:38 AM
I have found lately in this day and age that not enough people have a good set of values and morals. People are too self involved and don’t care so much about the big picture, but only what is immediately in front of them at the moment. It has got to the point where people won’t even hold a door open for a person at the gas station. It isn’t hard to be a good person you just have to do it. I believe if you are a good person good things will come. You will still have rough patches but they are easier to manage if you have people and values to guide you through.
September 1st, 2010 at 5:40 PM
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September 22nd, 2010 at 3:15 AM
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