Do you believe you can?

Most of us don’t question our beliefs. They’re just a fundamental part of us that exists beneath the surface. They could have been passed down through the generations, learned when we were children or formed as a result of influence from significant people in one way or another. But what actually are beliefs, and why should we look at them more closely?

Beliefs are convictions about what we hold to be “true” in life. Beliefs can be a powerful force behind what we do, how we behave and the outcomes we get.

If someone really believes they can do something, the chances are they are more likely to try. But if they believe it’s impossible, it may be much harder to convince them otherwise. This can form the boundary of our thinking and keep us “boxed in” to our perceived limitations.

Mahatma Gandhi captured this concept with his words on the evolution of a belief:

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”

We live our lives by beliefs we’ve learned at some point. These might help us navigate life, or they could be the reason we hit blocks. Many beliefs are connected to our expectations. If we don’t believe we can, we probably won’t do what it takes to get there.

If we believe “exercise is hard” rather than “exercise is fun”, exercise is likely to feel harder and less enjoyable. If we believe we’re not good enough, we might prevent ourselves from succeeding. In NLP, we call these “limiting beliefs”. But just as beliefs are learned, they can also be unlearned.

When you really believe something, your thoughts and actions are more likely to be congruent with it, and this can influence the outcome. Beliefs play a very important part in the change process and your ability to achieve what you want.

And if you don’t yet have evidence, being curious can be a great place to start. As you begin to observe more and understand that not everyone holds the same beliefs as you, you can take inspiration from this: if they can, so can I.

Dare to believe you can, and just maybe, you will.

Working with a life coach can help you understand more about your beliefs, where they come from, whether they still serve you well or whether they might be holding you back. Discovering more about your inner landscape and understanding who you really are can form the basis of many different directions for coaching, from business coaching and career coaching to personal development, leadership, motivation, relationships and more.