What are ‘limiting beliefs’? Basically, it’s that ‘stuff’ that holds us back in our lives and whose main objective is to squelch the vibrant soul within each of us.
Limiting beliefs are what I refer to as ‘interference’, the stuff that gets in the way of our true potential, our talents and what we truly want in our lives. Some people may be refer to it as; inner critic, chatterbox and/or gremlin. My gremlin, thankfully there is only one and yes, we all have one, shows up in my life using many different tactics. Depending on the moment, it may use fear, worry, what if, angst, frustration, procrastination, impatience, I can’t, self doubt and a few others.
The good news is that I use my gremlin to my advantage. Earlier this Spring, I had the good fortune to listen to a chap speak about ‘Taming Your Gremlin’. This experience catapulted my awareness and choice about my gremlin to another level. Firstly, I notice and am aware of it and I have been for quite awhile. I believe that underlying all the ‘interference’ it causes me, it actually has a positive intention and I use that to my advantage and it works. Secondly, when it comes out to play in my head, I use a four step technique which is a positive ritual I incorporate into my life. By implementing this technique I remain in the driver’s seat of my life and I don’t allow it to have a field day with me. Thirdly, I identified an anchor or place of reference that I use when it attempts to ‘seduce and zap all positive energy from me’.
I am happy to share the four step technique I use which I celebrate on a daily basis because it is working in my life and making my journey a whole lot more enjoyable, productive, creative and happy. The second you notice or become aware of the voice babbling away in your head, using negative thoughts to create a horror story and seduce you in to watching and listening to it, try the following:
- Your top priority when feeling tense, tightness and you notice shallow breathing is to make a different choice; Say to yourself, I want and choose to feel relaxed, calm and centred.
- Acknowledge and be aware that there is an inner game and feeling going on (gremlin is on the scene);
- Examine and pay attention to your skin and remember that this is where you end and all else begins; events occur around you and simply feel the air on your skin
- Most importantly, use your own personal barometer – your breath; breath, breath, breath and focus on your breath;
By practising this 4 step technique, you immediately remove yourself from your head (thinking), leave the horror story (gremlin) and return to the here and now in your body. When practised every time the gremlin comes out to play, I can confirm I am no longer seduced by the horror stories. As a result of this growth, I am experiencing life without nearly as much interference.
I offer my experience and actions for you to consider implementing in your own life. This method is particularly useful in relation to contemplating career change, either by choice or forced upon you. There are alternative ways around the interference and gremlin as demonstrated above. Simply begin by noticing and paying special attention to your body and breath.
Author
Stephanie Mount is a Position Ignition Guide. She is profoundly interested in people and their potential. Stephanie engages with individuals to discover their most authentic self (the positive energy, their passions and strengths). Position Ignition is a modern day careers advisory firm for professionals offering help around careers, transition and personal & professional development.
Website: www.positionignition.com
Blog: www.positionignition.com/blog
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