I want to share a quick story with you.

The missed opportunity

She had an opportunity to go for a promotion.  She was really well regarded at work (oh yes, she deleted that too).  She had all the skills and qualities needed.

But she decided that there was little point in applying.  She said she wouldn’t get it.  So it would be a waste of time.

Guess what?  Well, of course, she didn’t get the job.  Because she didn’t actually apply.   And she got another piece of evidence to add to her list of things other people achieved which she didn’t.  Because, she says, she’s not bright enough.

Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives. 

- Tony Robbins

So what determines your results?

The results you achieve are in direct proportion to the action you take.  So what determines the actions you take?

Your potential + your belief

My friend had little belief in herself.  So when she looked at the job opportunity, she thought there was little potential.  She took little action.  She got corresponding poor results.  Which reinforced her belief.

So the amount of potential that you believe you have will determine how much action you take

That action will determine your results

Your results reinforce your belief

Which determines how much potential you believe you have

The taken opportunity

Let’s replay the scenario.  With a twist.

I have a friend who’s bright.  She looks for evidence that she is, and finds it.  Her belief in herself means that she felt there was huge potential for her to get a promotion.  She took massive action. She not only polished up her CV, she prepared fully.  She put a lot of effort into preparing a presentation for the interview.  And, most importantly she applied for the job!

If you think there is huge potential, you will take massive action

You’ll get results to match

The four step cycle

Tony Robbins describes it as a virtuous cycle:

Belief - potential - action - results

So how to you change your beliefs?

There is a lot that you can do to work on your mindset and bolster your belief in your self.  Get over your fears.  Work on what’s holding you back.  Things like coaching and using Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) can unlock the meaning you've created around events.  It can help you discover a defining moment and 'reprogram' it.

But the quick fix?

Fake it til you make it. 

Regardless of your previous experience, take massive action anyway.  You will get results and then you can use them to bolster your belief.  And the cycle will continue.

Playing small serves no one.