One of my very favorite aspects of my career is as a lead trainer for iPEC coaching. iPEC is an international coach training institute. In my humble opinion, it’s the finest one out there. iPEC was founded by Bruce D. Schneider, who is an author and spiritual leader as well. I love leading students on their journey to become life and executive coaches, as well as helping raise their own and other’s consciousness and self awareness. Attending iPEC and becoming one of their lead trainers has been one of the most joyful journeys of my life.
Part of iPEC’s model consists of theoretical aspects to life called Foundation Principles. They are theoretical concepts or principles that one can utilize to develop their own personal belief system. Periodically, I would like to share some of those principles with you, dear reader. They are thought provoking concepts and if nothing else, worthy of some interesting discussions at family holidays or boring cocktail parties.
One of my favorite foundation principles is, “We are each a product of our own belief system.” This principle is so powerful in that I see my clients (and others) living it daily. It’s a relatively simple concept, yet a very challenging paradigm to remove ourselves from. If we believe that we are inferior, stupid, not good enough, etc., we become that. If we believe we are strong, capable, and powerful, we will become that. It all starts with our belief system.
This, of course, doesn’t mean that if I believe I’m six feet tall, I will be six feet tall, though that would be a fun concept. Rather, the theory means that we will live up to, or down to, our own belief system. When a client tells me that they will never get along with a co-worker, I will often say, “Based on that belief, you are correct.” How can we ultimately get along with someone if we don’t think it’s possible to do so?
Rewriting Our Stories
What if we think we can never overcome a challenge, or learn something new, or develop new skills? If that’s what we believe, then we won’t put the necessary amount of energy into making those changes. We won’t change, and thus our belief system becomes our reality. Listen to young children who don’t have faith in themselves and you will see the outline of an adult who doesn’t either. Changing our mindset or our belief system is the most powerful way to change our reality.
If we think we can never overcome a challenge, or learn something new, then we won’t put in the energy required to make those changes. We won’t change, and thus our belief system becomes our reality. #beliefs #change #selfhelp Click To TweetChanging our beliefs changes how we feel, which changes how we show up or behave. So how do we change our belief systems? First, we will want to be aware of what our current story or belief system is. Then we will want to choose to change that belief by putting a new belief in its place. Then we will choose what we want to do based on that new belief. This takes practice and awareness, but once you get it you can do it in any area of your life.
So start right now by listening to the story you are telling yourself. Ask yourself how that story or belief system is serving you. If it’s not, find a new story! You are the maker of your own stories and belief systems. Why not make them fantastic ones!
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC