Limiting beliefs are like old clothes.

 

Racks of slacks filled my closet, yet I never seemed to have any to wear. Last week, I tried on every pair of pants. Only three fit. Two could be saved with alterations. About four were snug, but fine if I lose an inch in the waist. Eight pairs destined for Good Will.

I let go eight pairs of pants, and more symbolically, I let go of the idea that my waste would ever be 31 or 32 inches again.

Before adding a new behavior or belief, we have to make room.

Suppose you want to spend more time with your family, or you want to learn to ski, or you want to write articles and books. Where’s the time coming from? You must give up something to make room for new behavior.

Suppose you want to believe that you can learn anything you wish, or you can double your revenue in one year, or you can become great at leading change, what old ideas need tossing?

From my personal experience, most programs to create new beliefs, don’t clean out the closet. Of course the mind can hold an almost infinite number of beliefs; it’s not really a capacity issue. It’s an issue of congruence.

What old ideas get in the way of the new?

If you don’t have what you want, most likely you have a belief that blocks you.

Why haven’t you doubled your revenue in the past? What makes it difficult to double revenue in a year? If you had a ray gun and could zap any barrier, what barriers would you zap?

There’s always something in the way, if you are willing to look in the closet with the eyes of a reporter, scientist, or detective:

• “It’s impossible.”
• “I’ll fail and look stupid.”
• “I’ll have to sell myself and I hate selling myself.”
• “People who make that kind of money are overcharging.”

A little exploration might just bring up past experience or fears that are like old, wet sneakers that smell up your closet.

If you are a change leader, you want your people to travel light, no extra baggage, as they embark on the journey. Consider this, what old behaviors and old beliefs do these people need to throw away? What beliefs prevent them from leaving home? What ideas slow them down? What thoughts will pull them backward when challenges block the path?

Communicating a compelling vision will always bring up fears and resistance. Look in your own closet; look in the organizations closet, and do some detective work. Try on all the old clothes. What still fits? What needs alterations? What worn or no longer belongs to the future?

Invite everyone to imagine what behaviors and beliefs belong in the closet of those who achieve their vision. Then throw a cleaning out the closet party!

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Michael Cushman, The Engaging Guru, wants you to master enrolling others in your truth, get the goodies of life, and change the world.  www.engagingchange.com