Are you tired of feeling stuck? Like you take two steps forward, then somehow end up three steps back? You set grand goals, make awesome plans… then something always seems to get in the way. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
The culprit is often those sneaky, unconscious beliefs. They’re the little voices in your head whispering things like you’re not good enough, you’re destined to fail, or change is just too dangerous. They’ve been running on autopilot in the background of your mind for so long, they feel like the absolute truth.
But there’s a catch – they’re probably not true at all! Your unconscious beliefs get formed early on, often influenced by childhood experiences and what you picked up from the people around you. They aren’t a life sentence you’re stuck with forever.
The trickiest part is that sometimes our unconscious beliefs are completely out of our awareness. They’re so ingrained that we don’t even recognize them as beliefs – they just feel like how the world works. We don’t fully understand why we react a certain way, or why we keep sabotaging our own efforts. That’s why digging into them is so important – it’s about bringing those hidden beliefs to light.
Step 1: Pay Attention!
Changing your beliefs isn’t easy, but the first step is surprisingly simple: awareness. Begin to notice those recurring negative thoughts and feelings. Keep a notepad handy and jot down those moments of self-doubt, that feeling that you’re about to mess things up, or that inner critic telling you to play it safe.
Ask yourself: “Is this thought helpful? Does it push me towards my goals?” Often the answer will be a resounding “no.” Simply noticing these patterns gives you power over them.
Step 2: Digging Deeper
Your unconscious beliefs have a foundation. Once you’ve spotted that nagging, limiting thought, try these journaling prompts:
- When do I usually feel this way? Are there certain people, places, or situations that trigger it?
- What’s the worst thing that could happen? Play out your fear to its extreme – get a bit silly with this, it helps break the fear’s grip.
- What would change if I believed the opposite? If you did believe you were strong enough to handle change, what might you do differently?
Step 3: The Grand Reframe
Now that you’ve uncovered the root of those beliefs, it’s time to create some alternatives. For every limiting belief, brainstorm a counter-belief. If you always think “I’m not smart enough,” try “I am capable of learning and growing.” Don’t worry about believing them entirely at first – just try them on.
Here’s the bonus: write your empowering beliefs on sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them! On your mirror, fridge, computer screen. Every time you read them, you’re sending a signal to your brain that it’s time to update its operating system.
It’s Not Magic, But It’s Powerful
The moment you start questioning your unconscious beliefs, you’ve broken their spell. It takes practice to rewire those old, familiar thought patterns. Be kind and patient with yourself!
Change might still feel uncomfortable – that’s growth happening! But with those new supportive beliefs in place, the change becomes something you move towards rather than feeling like it’s dragging you down.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
If you want to supercharge this process and uncover the unconscious beliefs keeping you stuck, consider working with a life coach. We’re trained to help you identify these sneaky saboteurs and transform them from obstacles into stepping stones towards your dream life.
