WE all have beliefs. Our beliefs mold the way we think and how we view life in general.
Let’s try something.
Say this statement with me, five times: “I have to work hard to achieve my goal of becoming financially successful!” Now say this statement again with me, five times: “I just need enough money to get me through the next pay day.”
Did you have a different thought after saying the second statement? How did you feel after repeating the statements five times?
If you take a closer look at each of the statements, you’ll realize that there really isn’t something wrong with how they are constructed. It’s just that you probably find yourself agreeing to the other statement.
The thing about beliefs is that they are mostly less factually correct and they are mostly more about being effective in the kind of life that you live.
The two statements we mentioned above are reflective of a certain belief. Our thought patterns are guided by the beliefs that we nurture which in turn are translated into action. Beliefs play a vital part in determining our success and failure in life.
There are five ways how beliefs can affect your success:
- Beliefs guide your behavior and actions
For someone who believes in the importance of financial freedom, you will most likely notice his good financial management skills, something he continues to practice in order for him to achieve his financial goals.
The person with this kind of belief will save, budget, and invest his money because he knows that saving, budgeting, and growing his money are important habits he needs to perfect if he wants to achieve financial freedom.
The belief that we have will ultimately dictate our actions. Another very concrete example of this is religion. But we let’s not talk about that, I’m pretty sure you get what I mean. Whatever belief you have, you will act according to it.
- Beliefs forge your attention
A lot of young professionals today find themselves jumping from one job to another. Could the paycheck they’re getting be the problem? Not necessarily. The reason for this behavior has been linked to these young people’s belief system in that the moment they find out what they’re doing is not in line with what they believe in, they quit.
This is why we need to understand the way our beliefs impact our success. If we do things that aren’t in harmony with what we believe in, we could just be messing up our success. Do you find yourself doing things that aren’t in accordance to your beliefs?
- Beliefs determine your ability to cope with crisis
One motivation military people use to get through the strenuous training is telling themselves: “If they can do this, why can’t I?” Now compare this statement to someone in the gym telling himself: “This is too hard, I can’t do it!”
To be financially successful, we need to master the art of coping, knowing when to get going, when to pause and rest, and when to carry on. Our ability to cope will be determined by what we believe.
What do you find yourself saying during difficult times?
- Beliefs influence what you strive for in life
Your boss tells you that you’re up for a promotion. You get all giddy and excited until you found out that one requirement for that promotion is a presentation in front of your company’s big bosses!
The problem: You are petrified of presentations. You get tongue-tied and you stutter when you get nervous. The dilemma: Now you’re second guessing whether to take to promotion or just simply let it go.
Our beliefs influence what we strive for, be it in our career of personal life. If we believe that we can do it, our actions will follow. If we believe that we can’t, then our body will likewise say it’s impossible. This is a clear picture of how powerful our beliefs are!
- Beliefs fuel our dreams, desires, and ambitions in life
One can never underestimate the power of beliefs. You’ve probably come across some success stories of people who never gave up on their dreams. The trick was to stay on course, hold on to what they believed in, and move forward.
When everything around us gives reasons to doubt our dreams, our beliefs will find more reasons to fuel our dreams and to get us going!
There are so many other ways beliefs affect our success and my book, “Secrets of the Rich and Successful,” sheds light on the power of belief – how these beliefs pave the way to becoming rich and successful and how they can help us realize our dreams!
THINK. REFLECT. APPLY.
In what ways do your beliefs impact your day to day activities? Cite some examples. What happens when we do things not in line with what we believe in? List down ways your beliefs affect your decisions when it comes to implementing action items for your goals?
