Blocked by Your Beliefs?

Your Attitudes

The late, great Zig Ziglar taught us:

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Most of the time, we function in cruise control mode. We don’t devote much thought to what we do.   Our actions are guided by our sub-conscious. So, we aren’t aware of what’s going on with our internal guidance system.  And that is how we can be blocked by our beliefs.  More specifically; our self-limiting beliefs.

What are Self Limiting Beliefs?

In the words of Henry Ford…

“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”

We all have little voices in our head that remind us of our beliefs.  As you’re aware of “the voices”, you’ll find that many are helpful.  But when they’re saying some form of “I can’t…“, you’re limited in what you will actually DO.  Here are some examples.

• I could never   _____________.
• That’s not the way I ____________.
• I’m just not good at ______________.
• I just can’t work with _________.
• I’m not worthy of ____________.

Sometimes we even say these things out loud.  We actually proclaim our self-limiting beliefs to others.  Here’s a hint: these are EXCUSES.  How do you feel when other people give excuses for things that need to get done?

Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs

To expand on Henry Ford’s quote, as long has you harbor your self limiting beliefs, they are self fulfilling prophesies.   You are right.  And you are blocking your advancement.  So when you catch yourself blurting out your excuse about who you are not or what you can’t do, ask yourself:

• Is this something I really want to be right about?
• What might happen if I was wrong?
• What do I need to change to make that happen?

The Execution Box Revisited

Organizations all too often hire for skills and knowledge.  Then fire and promote based on attitudes and habits.  When things don’t get done, it is typically NOT because of a lack of knowledge and skills.  It’s because of attitudes and habits.  Organizational goals fall prey to self-limiting beliefs.

Closing Your Personal Execution Gap

As with your organization, your ability to execute requires the right attitudes and habits.  Only then can you leverage your knowledge and skills.

Mothers: Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Naysayers

In light of the importance of developing can-do attitudes, let’s revisit one of the most important children’s books ever published.  If you somehow missed reading The Little Engine that Could as a child, it’s not too late.  And hopefully it’s not too late for your children and perhaps your grandchildren.

Remember: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Related Posts

• Exploring the Gap Between Knowledge and Execution
• You Gotta Believe