Empowerment Series: Eliminate Restrictive Thinking

The first step to empowering yourself is to eliminate the type of thinking that boxes you in and limits your goals. “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” Henry Ford.

Without realizing it, we create boundaries for ourselves. Our brain requires parameters, and we create them either consciously or subconsciously. The trick is to recognize limiting beliefs, and reconstruct a new parameter in your brain, consciously. For example, let’s say someone invites you to climb a mountain. Do you think, “That would be awesome, but there is no way I can ever reach the top.” or “Wow, I am not ready for that yet, but I bet I could do it with a little preparation.”? When you think the first way, your brain sets a parameter based on your initial belief “I can never reach the top.” With this parameter set, even if you attempt to climb the mountain, your brain will be constantly bombarding you with thoughts like these: “This is too hard, let’s turn back,” “I have come far enough,” “This is farther than I expected to get.” You set yourself up to expect and accept failure. If on the other hand, you think the second way, you set yourself up to succeed. First you recognize limitations as challenges that you can overcome. Your brain sets up the parameter: “I can reach the top.” Since you now “know” that you can reach the top, your brain tries to figure out how. No longer are you bombarded with thoughts of giving up, now you think things like: “This is easier than I expected,” “We’re almost halfway up already,” “I can’t give up now,” “Just a little bit further.”

Recognizing the power your brain has over your actions, is the first step in being able to program it for success. Stop and think for a moment, how long have you been unthinkingly creating boundaries for yourself? How many years? Let’s start to reverse the damage. Say to yourself “I can do anything!” Say it over and over again until you really believe it! When a self limiting belief pops up, restructure it so that there is a potential to overcome it. Change every “I can’t” in your brain to “I CAN!” You really can do anything!

Now that you believe you can do anything, we need to make sure you understand that you are allowed to do anything. I know there are people in your life that love you; that you love. Often, we add limitations to our lives based on the expectations of those closest to us. Please don’t allow your fear of disappointing those you love impede your happiness. The people in your life that love you want what is best for YOU. They want you to be happy. You are actually disappointing them by denying yourself happiness. Everyone has responsibilities, but how we meet them is up to us. By all means, meet your responsibilities, but do so in a way that brings you joy! Live a life worth living. Enjoy living. Understand that you are able and allowed to do anything. Believe it. Know it.

Congratulations, you just accomplished the first step toward self empowerment, letting go of limiting thinking. Be sure to continue eliminating your limiting beliefs. If you feel like this article helped you make progress, but you could really use additional support, I will be happy to help. You may email me (Smiley), set up a free consultation, sign up to receive the entire Empowerment Series, and find resources at http://www.MakeYourselfHappy.com/resources.html.