This is about questioning the ‘stories we tell ourselves’ — the narratives that we construct in our minds about who we are, what we’re worth, how our life works, and what we’re capable of. In this exercise, we’re focusing on the negative cognitions that have become ingrained in us as limiting beliefs, embedded into every cell of our being as we accept them as true, regardless of their validity. The basis of these stories often stem from programming we received as a child or from conditioning we experience over time. And we filter our whole lives through them — every thought, emotion, and decision is informed by them — which means our limiting beliefs are creating our current reality.
Through the practice of becoming aware of your limiting beliefs, challenging them, and reprogramming your mind to accept that other possibilities exist, we begin to break free from those limitations and form new neural pathways. This is an exercise in personal expansion. It’s as simple as shifting your inner dialogue from “I can’t” to “it’s possible that I can” – because even you can’t argue that.
1. On a piece of paper, draw a vertical line down the middle of the page. Title the left column ‘Negative Cognitions’ and the right column ‘Positive Cognitions.’
2. Now get quiet — listen to the inner critic that speaks in your mind — the one that questions, doubts, shames, or confines you. Do an internal audit, taking note of the undercurrent of negative self-talk that slips past your conscious mind on a daily basis. You can reference the New Beliefs List Examples pdf.
3. In the left column, write a list of those negative cognitions.
4. In the right column, write the opposite — the positive, more expansive version of each cognition.
5. Practice speaking the new beliefs aloud, especially anytime you catch yourself thinking or speaking the old belief. This is a practice of interruption – interrupt your limiting thought patterns every chance you get:
6. When you can, notice how your body feels as you speak the new beliefs (ex: relief, expansive, open, flowing, etc.). A physical connection via your emotions & sensations will help to reprogram your subconscious and reaffirm your new beliefs.
Take this further:
TIP: Our inner voice is so ingrained in us that it can far too easily slip past our mind’s conscious awareness on a regular basis. So if challenging your beliefs or self-talk feels too difficult to manage right now, start with something smaller. Focus on something that has lower stakes, and make a game of it:
Use these while you give it a go . . .
Downloadable PDF to reference while you rewire your subconscious beliefs.
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