Archive for August 2009

One of my favorite coaching analogies is to compare our comfort zone to the age rings found on a cross section of tree trunk.

Think of it this way… every time we stretch our comfort zone it’s like we have a new age ring, we have a new level of awareness, we have greater self-esteem, we have more confidence, we are more experienced, we have more wisdom, we make different decisions because of that and we’re open to new opportunities too (often ones that were always there we just couldn’t see them yet!)

At the same level, we are faced with new obstacles. For example, along with our new level of awareness, limiting beliefs that were once invisible rise to the surface.

This can be good or bad depending on our ability to identify them quickly and regain momentum in spite of them. This is a skill that is essential for long term success.

So, how do you identify limiting beliefs?

The best strategy I’ve found is to create “CONTRAST”.

First, you have to be crystal clear about your definition of success. This gets your inner voice chattering and providing commentary that becomes the contrast you need to weed out your limiting beliefs.

Next, you have to pay close attention to your self-talk, best known as your inner critic (statistics say 80% of our self-talk is negative – yikes!). The self-talk and mind commentary leaves clues to our belief systems.

Finally, you have to choose which beliefs you’ll keep and which ones you’ll let go. Yup, I said “choose”. We can choose our beliefs. If a belief doesn’t support your success… let it go or replace it with one that does.

Your beliefs determine your thoughts, dictate your habits and influence your decisions. Does your belief system support your success or could there be some invisible saboteurs lurking?

Consider these two questions to test if limiting beliefs may be keeping you stuck.

1. Are you NOT doing things that you know you should be doing to support your success and are frustrated to feel stuck this way?

2. Are you doing things you know you shouldn’t be doing that sabotage your success and wonder why you keep doing them?

If limiting beliefs and negative self-talk are keeping you stuck or derailing your momentum, stay tuned for my next Believability Makeover Program… coming soon!

The easiest way to ensure you are notified is to subscribe to my “Fun Fame and Fortune e-Mentorship” by entering your  name and email in the box at the top right of this page

Alice laughed “there’s no use trying” she said. “One can’t believe impossible things.”

“I dare say you haven’t had much practice” said The Queen. “When I was younger I always did it for half an hour a day. Why sometimes I believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. “

I absolutely love this quote. I love this quote because it so perfectly demonstrates how perception, opinion, beliefs and perspective impact an individual’s outlook.

If you look at the difference between Alice and the Queen, every single decision, every action that is taken would be entirely different.

Alice doesn’t believe in impossible things and the Queen believes in possibilities after possibilities.

So, here’s some food for thought. It’s obvious who is living in a bigger world… how about you? When’s the last time you challenged the impossible?

By the way, did you hear about Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland coming soon? I CAN’T WAIT! (Here’s the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiPR6kA4_iU)

Alice in Wonderland is filled with gems, nuggets of wisdom that apply as much to adults (if not more!). Do you have any favorite children’s books that have offered life or business lessons?

I’d love to hear about them.

~ Gina xo