It’s no secret that a faulty belief system will have a negative impact on everything that you think, say or do, or don’t do. This is why it’s so important to identify these faulty beliefs so that you can break free from them and live the life that you desire.
Self-defeating, incorrect beliefs are the debilitating thoughts you may have about yourself or how you view your relationships with others. If left unchecked, they can get so out of control that they morph into full-blown panic disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Your beliefs affect everything you do. In fact, every decision you make starts with a belief because your beliefs are a collection of everything you know to be true.
Yet, sometimes what you believe is actually based on false emotions, information, or memories. Is there hope of changing? And if so, how can you disrupt your faulty belief system and change it for the better?
Sit tight, I got you covered.
How Faulty Beliefs Affect Everything You Do
What you convince yourself to be true ultimately becomes your truth. Powerful! Your subconscious mind has complete trust in how you see the world and how you interpret what happens to you in your life.
If your belief system is faulty, your subconscious mind takes your thoughts and emotions and comes up with a skewed view of certain people, places, or things, and ultimately how the world works.
So, in effect, you may be at the center of what’s holding you back from living a fulfilling life brimming with adventures and happiness.
I sense that a disclaimer might be necessary here. I am in no uncertain terms discounting or minimizing the pain and agony that you or those you love may have experienced. I am a huge fan of all kinds of coaching and counseling to help heal the brokenhearted.
Tony Robbins said it best: “The only thing that’s keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself.” This is true, no matter what your circumstances are.
What Are Faulty Beliefs?
Faulty, or limiting, beliefs are the opinions and thoughts you believe to be 100% true. They’re so ingrained in your mind because you spend each day repeating them to yourself, like a mantra.
At times, you may blame other people, the Universe, God, or the devil for everything that goes wrong in your life. Why? You’ve convinced yourself that this is your reality through the power of faulty beliefs.
However, limiting beliefs are called that for a reason. They stunt your growth as an individual and have a negative impact on the way you go about your personal and professional life. So, you feel stuck and incompetent, and that failure follows you around wherever you go.
Where do Faulty Beliefs Come From?
Mostly, faulty beliefs are developed during our early childhood years. According to Dr. Bruce Lipton, an American biologist, the first seven years of our lives are extremely critical because our brains soak in everything around us. This is how we form our sense of right vs. wrong, good vs. evil.
This is also the time when children who are loved and valued grow up with this inherent belief. Consequently, their relationships with themselves and others stem from that love and self-worth.
Sadly, the opposite is also true. Children who are neglected or abused become adults with a deep belief that they’re not worthy of love and affection.
Another way to look at it is that faulty beliefs are our way of defending ourselves against frustration, anger, sadness, and other negative emotions.
As a result, your subconscious brain tries to block further suffering by altering how you view yourself and the world around you. This manifests itself in many ways, and each of them has a negative effect on everything you do in life.
Take a look at some of the negative outcomes that are a by-product of faulty beliefs:
- Anxiety
- Conformism
- People Pleasing
- Imposter syndrome
- Overthinking
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination
How to Identify Faulty Beliefs?
You can’t tell yourself you’re a winner one day, then wake up the following day believing it wholeheartedly. This is a process that takes time and patience. And you have to be willing to put in the work, but it’ll be so much worth it in the end. You can start the process of breaking free from these negative patterns right now by committing to the process.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Listen to Your Thoughts
The first step in identifying faulty beliefs and self-defeating thought patterns is by really paying attention. The next time that little voice in your head (aka your inner critic) tells you you’re better off not doing something or not having so-and-so, stop and listen.
Step 2: Challenge Faulty Beliefs
The second step is to challenge these beliefs head-on. When you have a negative thought, hit it back with two positive ones.
Then, slowly, day by day, you’ll notice that the nagging voices in your head are becoming weaker. They no longer drain your mental and emotional strength because they’ve been replaced by more positive thoughts. If you want to speed up the process, talk to a trusted friend or colleague about this. Ask them to help keep you accountable by calling BS (Belief System) when they hear you playing small.
Step 3: Develop Healthy Beliefs
In order to transform faulty beliefs into something healthier and more productive, you have to know your self-worth. Be proud of who you are and what you’ve accomplished, imperfections and all.
Then, armored with self-love and compassion, take one step outside your comfort zone. Think about one thing you have been avoiding that could take you to the next level. Then, do it.
To overcome this fear, you have to commit to engaging in a brief, meaningless conversation with one or two people each day. Putting yourself out there can be scary, just as many things in life can be.
And remember that it’s okay to be a bit awkward at times. Who isn’t?
It’s also okay to not be perfect. No one starts out perfect.
Strong, optimistic people know there’s more to them than a few minutes of awkwardness. They’re more confident and comfortable in their own skin that they just shrug it off and keep on moving forward.
That’s why you have to keep at it. Continue to challenge your faulty beliefs so you can finally start seeing yourself and the world in a more accurate light, where hope and possibilities are within arm’s reach.
I believe in YOU!
Be well + prosper,
Elaine xx
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