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The dictionary defines belief as trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something. Our beliefs guide us toward goals and give us the motivation to act. The challenge is that not all our beliefs are true, and often we are unconscious about what we believe. But that doesn’t stop our beliefs from affecting our actions and our outcomes. Our beliefs can become a lid on our lives, or they can drive us toward the life we really want.In order to figure out what to do about our beliefs, we need to understand where they came from. Tony Robbins, a well-known guru of success, says our belief systems originate from five areas.
Environment– But your environment does not need to determine who you are. Nelson Mandela decided that he would not allow his environment to dictate where he went in life. Whom do you know who also made that positive decision? Refuse to believe that you are a product of your environment. While circumstances may be difficult at times, we each have the power to choose what we believe and become.
Events– The day you got married. The death of a loved one. The birth of a child. A promotion. World events like terrorist attacks or school shootings. Events impact our lives and cause us to form beliefs that affect our entire outlook. Think of an event that has impacted you in a positive or negative way.
Knowledge – We say knowledge is power, but it is only potential power. Knowledge without action is useless. Lifelong learners are powerful. Become one and get close to people who know more than you do. Model the best of their actions. Whom do you know who could serve as a great role model for you? It will lift the lid on your beliefs.
Past Results –Where we have achieved or failed in the past affects our beliefs. But the past does not have to determine the future. You can learn from your failures and build on your successes. Where have you succeeded in the past that makes you believe you can do more?
Future Vision –The way you imagine the future impacts your success as much as what you think about the past. You MUST create a compelling picture of your future. NO ONE ELSE can do it for you. Imagine it specifically, then imagine the way you will feel if that is your future.
Attention to these areas will lift the lid for you!Tim Kight says, “The highest levels of performance are empowered by the deepest levels of belief. Performing with belief is a critical factor for achieving success at anything in life.” Basically, Kight is saying that what you believe drives your action and determines your achievement. When your belief is strong, everything you do is better, smarter, and you have more resilience, whether in business, athletics, education, or personal relationships.What you believe empowers you or it puts a lid on you. The good news is that what you believe is your choice. You must win in your mind first. Under pressure, you rise or sink to the level of your training. Challenging circumstances put pressure on your mental toughness. Talent isn’t enough. Physical training isn’t enough. You must believe. Your body follows your mind.The New England Patriots illustrated this in the 2017 Super Bowl. In the 3rd quarter, the Atlanta Falcons were dominating the Patriots. The Falcons had a 28-3 lead. No team in the history of the Super Bowl had ever come back from a deficit that big.But then New England elevated their play. Their defense started getting stops and their offense started scoring points. As the 4th quarter got underway, New England’s belief was getting stronger, and Atlanta’s belief was starting to waver. With a minute left, the Patriots scored to tie the game and went on to win in overtime.It was the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. Belief played a big part in the outcome The Patriots played poorly – and the Falcons played well – for 3½ quarters. But the Patriots never lost faith, and their belief empowered them to accomplish something that had never been done, something that seemed almost impossible.The power of belief comes from the fact that it can do four things:Belief creates vision. The biblical book of Hebrews says that faith sees things that are not as if they were. It sees the invisible. That is what belief does. Belief sees the invisible. It sees what has not yetbeen accomplished. Belief sees the goal and what is required to achieve the goal.People who truly believe have a clear vision of what that work looks like. They see themselves doing the work. Their vision is so clear that they ignore distractions. They ignore doubters. They pay no attention to critics. They win in their mind first.Belief creates strength of will. Strength of will is the result of uncommon commitment, relentless perseverance, and consistent discipline. Uncommon commitment is the will to do whatever this requires. Relentless perseverance is the will to stay at it as long as necessary.Consistent discipline is the will to say no to anything that pulls you off track.Strength of will is about perseverance. It’s about the many “re-commitments” that are necessary when it gets difficult, tedious, and painful. Belief is saying "I will" when it gets hard.Belief creates resilience. Resilience is the ability to respond and bounce back from adversity. Resilience does more than survive; it thrives through the challenges. Belief gives people unshakable resolve. The believers maintain an unwavering focus on what needs to be done in adversity. They do not waste attention, time, or energy complaining or worrying or blaming. They focus their energy on doing what needs to be done. When it gets harder, they get better. They see obstacles as a chance to prove how badly they want this goal and how strong they can be.Belief ignites and activates. Belief activates your ability to operate at maximum capacity. Belief is the ticket that gives you full access to your talent and ability. Most people work very hard to develop capabilities, but sometimes fail to get much benefit because doubt, distractions, and negative thinking hold them back. You must win in your mind first.One last encouragement: Belief is an essential element of team performance. One of the most powerful forces on earth is a team bonded together by a shared belief in each other and their mission.
Shared belief creates a team with vision and clarity of purpose.
Shared belief creates a team with strength of will.
Shared belief creates a team with resilience.
Shared belief ignites and activates a team.
It all starts with belief! Let your belief be a lift, not a lid.