In recent weeks we talked about the power of our belief system and the affect it has on our behaviors and, ultimately, on our lives. It is so powerful that it drives both our inner and outer self.
Have you ever caught yourself saying things like, "Nothing ever goes right for me?" If so, pay close attention to what the rest of this article speaks about.
Do you think that nothing ever goes right for you? Do you believe that you are just an unlucky person, and that no matter what you do, you will likely fail? Well, you are right, but not for the reason you think.
We've been writing about beliefs for the previous three weeks now. If you’ve followed those columns, you have probably surmised that each one of us has a set of beliefs, and we behave in accordance with those beliefs.
Perhaps you have experienced a few setbacks that you were taught to interpret as failures-failures of your personal actions or inactions. Next thing you know, you have a belief about yourself that says, "I just can't succeed, no matter what."
Then, in order to make life match up with your belief, you begin to act in ways that reinforce this belief. You may even unconsciously sabotage things, so that you will fail. But you will be acting like you know yourself to be, which is what all of us do. You create what is called a self-fulfilling prophecy, which is embodied in Henry Ford’s quote when he said “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t-you’re right.” We actually create what we think is correct.
Therefore, if you want to change your life, you need to change your beliefs. This is very possible and many people do this every day. You will continue to seem, outwardly, much like yourself, but the inner you will see yourself differently; therefore, your thoughts and behaviors will be different. When you change your behavior, you change the results. If you want the results to be different (i.e. success versus failure) you must change your thinking.
