Sometimes the only barrier that prevents us from moving forward and reaching our goals, are ourselves, or rather, our mind. It’s very simple: if you don’t control your mind, it will end up controlling you. Plain and simple!
At a certain point in life, to which we all arrive sooner or later, the mind and the toxic beliefs it houses, becomes a prison that limits our potential and curtails our perspective.
Every time we believe there is only one way to do things, we are limiting ourselves. Every time we blindly embrace tradition, we close to novelty. Every time we think in terms of loss and failure, we put on a mental limit. And worst of all, we do these things day after day, without being aware of it.
The good news is that the simple fact of detecting those tricks we put on ourselves, already has power and opens our minds, allowing us to adopt a broader and more enriching perspective.
The voice you hear in your mind: Whose is it?
At first glance, it may seem almost crazy. However, it is often a voice that sounds in our mind, especially when it is denigrating or accusing, it does not come from our “ego”. In reality, they are the voices of different significant people with whom we have related throughout our lives, especially in childhood and adolescence.
In fact, if you pay attention to some of the phrases you say to yourself when that inner dialogue is triggered, you will realize that those phrases do not belong to you and, if you scrutinize your past, you will find their true owner. They can be your parents, a teacher or even that school boy who made your life impossible.
Those phrases, which probably destroyed your self-esteem, remained in your memory and, over time, you have assumed them as your own, but in reality they do not belong to you, they are the vision that others had about an “ego” that no longer exists and it probably didn’t even exist.
When you start paying attention to that inner dialogue, you will realize that many of your toxic beliefs come from thoughts instilled in you by other people. But you do not have to continue putting the limit, on the contrary, you must learn to eliminate those beliefs and walk safely on your own feet.
The 3 most common toxic beliefs that prevent you from moving forward
Although it may seem a contradiction, the truth is that we do not always want to move forward. Sometimes we feel comfortable where we are, or we are afraid of the unknown, so we prefer not to move forward. However, we do not recognize it. And to prevent us from moving forward, we become our worst enemy, we set the limit on purpose.
Some of the most harmful beliefs you cultivate in your mind, perhaps without realizing it, are:
1. “It is not the right time”
Procrastination is a serious problem that can make you miss unique opportunities. Continuously postponing your dreams, will make you reach the final stretch without having fulfilled them. And what is even worse: you will recriminate yourself for having missed the occasion.
Actually, behind the belief that it is not the right time, there is only a lack of motivation or fear. What happens is that you feel fear to get out of your comfort zone because you do not know what you will find outside. As a result, you prefer to fool yourself by telling you that it is not the most appropriate time.
However, life always implies a certain degree of uncertainty, we can never be 100% sure, we must be willing to assume at least a minimum risk. Remember that when you have a reason to fight, you will find the means along the way. It is only necessary to dare and take the first step.
2. “I am not an expert”
Society has made us believe that if we are not good enough at something, it is better that we do not try. However, this path only serves to close many doors, does not leave room for learning and growth. If we don’t get involved in new projects, we can never improve.
The truth is that nobody was born knowing, those who today are experts in some sector, yesterday were not. What makes them different is the time and effort they have dedicated to that passion. After all, we must remember that genius is composed of 1% talent and 99% perseverance.
In any case, to enjoy most things in life, you don’t have to do them perfectly. Perfectionism is nothing more than a barrier that keeps you circling, unable to move forward. Worry about enjoying what you do, and don’t hide behind perfectionism because with practice, the results will also improve.
3. “I will surely fail”
Henry Ford, one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time, said: “Whether you think you can, or if you think you can’t, in both cases you are right.” Your mind is your best ally, or your worst enemy.
Of course, a dose of strategic negativism may be convenient as it helps you prepare for the worst scenario. However, thinking that you are going to fail beforehand implies adopting a defeatist attitude that will not lead you on the right track but will gradually wear down your motivation.
It is not about assuming a positivist attitude at all costs, which would be a little useful. But if you start a project thinking that you will fail, you will not get very far. Remember that hope is our most powerful driving engine. Therefore, do not let anyone take it away from you, not even yourself.
Ishmael Jackson says
Informative write-ups allover.