In my mid 20's I took an Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or NLP, practitioner certification course. I was managing a beautiful day spa in Utah, and wanted to improve my leasdership skills. NLP is the idea that our beliefs are the architects of our experiences and realities, and understanding and reshaping these beliefs can significantly enhance the quality of our lives.
Beliefs can hold a lot of power as they are the emotional anchors within us. They influence every decision and action by filtering the information we receive through our senses. Everything you perceive passes through this filter, affects how you interpret and engage with the world around you. For instance, if you believe you're not good at public speaking, every opportunity to speak might trigger anxiety, reinforcing that belief and hindering your growth.
So how do we detect these hidden barriers called limiting beliefs? It starts with introspection and awareness. Most, if not all limiting beliefs can be found in "I" or "I am" statements. For example, "I suck at running", or "I'm too old to start something new". Tune into your self-talk. What do you repeatedly tell yourself about your abilities and worth? Jot down any recurring negative statements.
Once you start to have more awareness, you can begin to look for patterns in your emotional responses. Do certain situations consistently trigger fear or self-doubt? These patterns often point directly to underlying beliefs. Just FYI, under most limiting self beliefs is fear!
You can also ask and listen to trusted friends, family, or a mentor. They can offer insights into behaviors or beliefs you might be unaware of. Sometimes, an external perspective helps us see what we cannot on our own.
The amazing thing about beliefs is they are changeable! We just have to become WILLING to change them. Once you've identified the beliefs you'd like to change, the next step is tweaking them for growth and positivity:
1. Challenge the Belief: Question its validity. Ask yourself, "Is this always true?" Look for evidence when the opposite was true. This disrupts the belief's hold over you.
2. Replace with Positives: Formulate a positive affirmation that counters the limiting belief. For example, replace "I'm not good at public speaking" with "Every opportunity to speak is a chance to grow my skills." This is called a Reframe in NLP. Reframing is very powerful!
3. Visualization: Envision scenarios where your new belief holds true. Imagine yourself confidently speaking in front of a crowd. Visualization creates neural pathways that reinforce the new belief, making it easier to manifest in reality.
4. Act ‘As If ': I have a whole blog on this, click here to read. Begin acting as though your new belief is already true. This changes your behavior, gradually helping to internalize the new belief.
5. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge small victories. Each time you act in alignment with your new belief, celebrate the achievement. Positive reinforcement strengthens belief transformation.
The journey of reframing beliefs is ongoing and occasionally challenging, but immensely rewarding. By actively seeking and reshaping our beliefs, we can unlock new potentials and create a more fulfilling reality. This is the essence of NLP – empowering you to sculpt your inner world and, by extension, enhance your outer experience. I am really grateful I found NLP so early in life, and I love sharing it with others. In coaching, depth hypnosis and NLP are my cornerstone tools. These tools combined with true willingness to change creates the perfect crucible of transformation.
Change nothing, nothing changes. If you're ready to activate your potential, and step fully into your authentic expression, schedule a consultation. We can discuss what your path to embodying your authentic expression can look like.
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