Have you ever wanted to change the results you are getting, but feel like no matter how hard you focus on them they just stay the same?
I am going to assume that you have. We all have. It’s human nature to desire different results than we are getting.
But, focusing on the results is not going to help you change them.
The definition of insanity is: Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.
Dave Ramsey says: If you keep doing what you have been doing, you will keep getting what you have been getting.
So what do you need to do to get different results?
You need to take a step back and figure out what leads to the results that you are currently getting.
The results themselves are a symptom of the inputs that are creating them. You need to figure out what these inputs are.
Mahatma Ghandi is quoted as saying: 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.
This is a powerful statement. It shows how the results of our life begins with a single belief. It also shows us what inputs we need to focus on.
If you want different results, and a different destiny, you must begin by changing your beliefs. But you can’t stop there.
You also have to change your thoughts, words, actions, and habits if you want to change your results.
Let’s take a look at each of these 5 areas in more detail:
The 5 Areas That Lead To Results
Beliefs
The very first thing we must do is examine our beliefs.
Do your beliefs empower your goals? Or do you have a bunch of limiting beliefs set up in your mind?
Many times you will find that if you are not having success in an area of your life, you have limiting beliefs that are holding you back.
If your health is not where you want it to be you may realize that you have always had the belief that you are an unhealthy person, rather than the belief that you have just made unhealthy choices.
If your finances are not where you want them to be you may realize that you have had a belief that says you are bad with money, rather than one that says you have just made some bad choices with money.
The distinction between the two beliefs is small, but extremely powerful.
If you want to break down some limiting beliefs you should check out books and videos from Tony Robbins. He is a master at helping you destroy your limiting beliefs.
Thoughts & Words
Our thoughts are a direct result of our beliefs.
To continue with the example of finances, a belief that says “I will never be wealthy” makes us think differently about the way we spend our money than the belief that says “I will be wealthy someday.”
Our thoughts directly affect that which we say to ourselves. Self talk, whether positive or negative, is one of the most powerful forces I know of.
When we tell ourselves something over and over again we accepted it as truth, even if it is a complete lie to begin with.
Actions
The third area is our actions. These are direct result of what we think and say to ourselves.
They are also the other part of this framework that people try to jump to immediately. Most people either focus on the results, or the actions first.
But, if you focus on the actions before changing your beliefs, and the thoughts and words about the belief, you won’t be able to make your change in actions stick long term.
We will act very differently with one set of beliefs than we will with another set.
If you have the belief that “I will be wealthy someday” you will do different things with your money then if you have the belief that “I will always be poor.” You will save more. You will spend less. It may even cause you to learn more about investing so you can maximize your return on your money.
Habits
In his book The Power of Habit, author Charles Duhigg talks about how actions that are repeated over and over become our habits.
I am a huge believer that habits are one of the most powerful things that affect our outcomes.
We are all creatures of habit, so until new actions become habits it is hard to really see any traction towards your goals.
Recent studies have suggested that it takes approximately 66 days to develop a new habit.
Once you have come up with a new action, based on your empowering belief, stick to it. Give it the full 66 days and I know you will see a difference.
Results
This is the final stage in the process. This is the stuff that we originally wanted to focus on.
You will now begin to see that your new actions and habits are paying off. The beliefs you developed in the first step are supporting your actions and habits, and are creating the results you desire.
So now that you know you need to change your limiting beliefs so that you can start to work thought the process of changing your results, what do you do?
The 5 Steps to Changing Your Limiting Beliefs
- Pick an area where you aren’t having the success you want. It could be anything. Maybe it’s you finances, or your relationships. It could be your health, or even your career. Most of us could name a few areas, but for now try to just focus on one.
- Write down all the beliefs that you have about this topic. Brainstorm all the beliefs that you have about this area. Lets use the example of finances. You may have the belief that “I will never be wealthy” or that “I am bad with money.” Maybe you believe that “being wealthy makes you a bad person” or that “nobody from where I grew up has ever become wealthy.” Don’t just accept the first one that comes to mind, dig deeper. There may be a number of beliefs that you need to face.
- Shoot holes in your limiting beliefs. This is the fun part. Ask yourself “why do I believe this?” Many times we don’t even have reasons for the beliefs that we have, they somehow just developed over time. Next ask yourself “is there any exception to this belief?” For instance, if your belief is that having money makes you a bad person, ask yourself “is there anyone who has money that is a good person?” If your belief is that nobody from where you grew up has become wealthy, ask yourself “has anyone from an area similar to mine ever developed wealth?” If you ask enough questions you will find holes in every limiting belief.
- Write down the empowering beliefs you need to support your goal. Now that you have seen that your belief is not true, it’s time to create a new belief that supports your goals. Write down what you would have to believe to make your dreams a reality. Maybe your new belief is “I can be a Godly person and have wealth” or “with hard work I can become the first person from my neighborhood to become wealthy, and inspire others to do the same.”
- Repeat these beliefs to yourself. This is the most important step. As I said above, self-talk is one of the most powerful forces that I know of. You have to repeat your new empowering beliefs to yourself as often as you can. Write them down where you can see them, and read them at least every morning and every night. This doesn’t take long, and may seem silly, but it is the key to successfully changing your beliefs.
I’m not going to say that changing your beliefs will be easy, because it can be difficult. But, it is necessary.
No matter how long you spend looking at your results and wishing they would be different, if you don’t change your beliefs first you will never get different results.
Take action right now! This is not of the things I have learned from Tony Robbins. Don’t wait. Start on step 1 right now, even if you only have a few minutes free. By taking an immediate action you will create momentum that will help lead you to success!
Question: What is one limiting belief that you have? Comment below or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter!
