The Powers of Belief

According to psychologists, Miller and Rollnick (2002), "Perceived prognosis influences real outcomes" (p.6). This means our perceived belief (s) about our ability to be successful with something is the highest predictor of what will actual occur. Essentially, our beliefs set the foundation for the outcome. It's just like that expression, "whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, either way you are right"!

In the psychology world, we often ask about "limiting beliefs". These tend to be beliefs, which are rooted in a falsehood about yourself. These types of beliefs may be based on fear, negative past experiences, external or internal judgments, etc. 

Take a moment now to focus on something you would like to pursue or cultivate in your life. Then ask yourself how likely you will be to succeed at making this happen. You can even rate it on a scale of 1-10 to make it feel more quantifiable. The answer to this question, as Miller and Rollnick indicate (2002), is a "reasonably good predictor of the likelihood that change will occur". So, if your answer is an 8 than you will have a high likelihood of being successful with this endeavor, however if you answer with something like a 4, than some limiting beliefs are seeping in. 

Furthermore, this belief factor does not only resonate on a personal level, but it extends to those around you. How much a friend, colleague, lover, therapeutic provider, doctor, etc. believes in you can have an effect on these outcomes as well. When you have the support and faith of those surrounding you, your beliefs in success grow stronger. The power of belief can have an effect on so many levels. For example, how much you believe in yours doctors’ competency to provide you with the appropriate treatment for optimal healing. Or, your belief in your own bodies' ability to repair and heal from an injury. Or your belief in your ability to be an amazing public speaker! The list goes on.....

The ways we can work with these "limiting beliefs" is to first uncover and discover what they may be. Being brave enough to face what makes your belief in something resonate with a 4 on the scale as opposed to a 10 is the first step. Find out what false beliefs are weighting you down. Seek out ways to cultivate new empowering beliefs and support for yourself. Seek out those who you trust and you believe in you for support while you navigate through new powerful positive belief structures. 

Once you believe, you will discover the beautiful powerful divine light inside. The limits will slowly but surely fall away one by one. 

Be on the lookout for my Fear Breakthrough Workshop: "Breaking Through Barriers" coming to San Diego soon.......


~Liz Myers, MA, PCCI Rooted Living Wellness Coach

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2nd ed). New York: Guilford Press.

 

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