Overcoming Limiting Belief Part 4: Structure

Build a support structure

I am in the fourth part of a five-part series around Overcoming Limiting Belief.  In the last 3 post, I have covered 3 of the 4 elements which are required in order for you to overcome a limiting belief.  Identify, Mindset and Intention.   

In this article, I will be covering the structure which will enable and support the thought training and actions that you will need to take.  Structure is required to help undergird your intention as no action can be consistent and effective if there is nothing to hold it up or hold it together.  That is where the support structure comes into play.

As a quick recap on what we have covered in the last 3 episodes:

1. Identify:  Know and Acknowledge the limiting belief that you want to overcome. 
2. Mindset:  Changing your mindset from limiting to empowering which consists of intentional, consistent and determined resolved in training your thought life. 
3. Intentions:  Know your why.  Ask and answer the why, reconceptualize and align the why with the what.

For details of each section, please listen to the previous podcasts lisalamcoach.com or check out the Start the Journey to overcoming limiting belief for more information.

Let’s focus on the structure.  To build any structure consist of:

1. Systems: Processes and routines that leads to automation
2. Tools:  Analog or digital
3. Community

Let’s get into each one.

Systems or processes.

Systems or processes are fundamentals in helping you build out a plan or a framework to get you going in the right direction.  Think of a system like a recipe.  It gives you step by step instructions to help you achieve a desired outcome.  Examples of systems are routines that you build into your everyday.  For example, the system that you take to get ready for work.  You will set the alarm the night before, when the alarm rings, you get out of bed, go to the bathroom and there you will have a set of routines that you will be executing, after which you will go and make a cup of coffee and breakfast and so on.  In most probability you don’t even think about each step as they have become your morning routine. 

We have all heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit.  I recently a read a book by Dr. Caroline Leaf called “Switch on your brains.” which basically states that it takes 3 cycles of the 21 days or 63 days in order for the thoughts or actions to be part of the automisation process or for it to be automatic or known as a habit. 

Therefore, in order for us to change our thought life or thought patterns, it takes consistent and continuous training and not just a short burst of activities.  The ability to sustain the actions is what systems or processes are designed to help you do.

To help us with implementing of systems or process, we have tools that will support us.

Tools

Tools are there to help you to implement the systems or process or routines.  Tools that are able to embed what you need to do into the everyday task and routine.  Establishing or creating a new habit, requires consistent application or training.  The same goes for your thought life and to overcome limiting belief.

In today’s world, there is no shortage of tools that you can use that will help you create structure and routines into your everyday.  Tools are available in the old fashion analog type that essentially consist of paper and pen. 

For example, if you want to change a limiting thought, I might write down on post it stickers and stick the empowering thought on the door of fridge or the mirror so that I am constantly being reminded of the new thought that I want to replace the limiting thought with.  Find inspirational quotes that you can use.  One of my all time favourites is from Yoda of Star Wars – “Do or Do not.  There is no try.”

Another method of establishing consistency is to set aside time to practice what you need to do.  The most popular system is the calendar.  Whether it is traditional paper and pen or digital calendaring like Outlook, it enables you to set aside the time to practice or learn new skills.  You will need reminders and a system to ensure that new practices are being worked on.  Practice makes permeance.  Intention alone is not enough; you need to have a structure or system in place to help you get there. 

Another type of tool is productivity systems such as Bullet journals, or just a simple to-do-list, and various other productivity applications such as Notion is able to help create a structure to help you establish a new routine.

The other forms of tools that you will help jumpstart the process are through reading books and attending workshops or trainings.  Learning from experts is one of the best ways to exponential gain knowledge and give you a head start.  For example, books are usually a compilation of the author’s experience and knowledge that would be worth 10 years or more of someone’s experience and expertise all summarised for you in 500 pages or less.  Knowledge is after all potential power, waiting for you to use it to experience its full power.

For example, when I wanted to overcome my limiting belief “I am not creative.” I decide to learn and undergo training around watercolour painting.  I learned from watching people who are professionals, attending courses, learning about paper quality, watercolour paint types and differences, the different brushes and techniques.  I could have tried to learn all those things by myself though trial and error but why would I waste my time when I know that someone else has already done that and I could just learn from them.  It saves time, energy, frustration and made the learning journey enjoyable.

Another critical component that will enable this process to be more efficient and enjoyable is the community that you surround yourself with.

This leads to the next aspect and its your community.

Community

A group of your tribe that can help, motive, train, coach, encourage and support you on the journey.

Each of us need help and help in the form of experts, friends, trusted advisers, mentors, coaches and so on.  We need other people to help as we learn new skills and improve our competencies and so on.  It is extremely hard and not efficient or productive use of our time and energy to try and take things on by ourselves. 

Leverage on the expertise and experience of those around you.  Do not be afraid of asking for help.  I believe that most people will be more than happy to help you learn as it is their act of service to contribute or make an impact on someone’s life.

Let me summarise what I have covered so far.

1. Systems:  Processes and routines that will help you create a routine and over time habit.
2. Tools:  Tools that will help you to integrate your plan into the everyday task and to learn in knowledge or know-how.
3. Community:  Tribe that you will rely on to help, motive, train, coach, encourage, support and cheer you on through this journey.

Thank you for spending the time with me.  In the next post, I will be putting all the 4 elements or ingredients of overcoming limiting belief together in a practical and simple way so that you are able to put into practice.  Let’s imagine baking an “Overcome Limiting Belief” cake.

I hope that you have learned at least one thing that you are able to apply into your everyday life. Please subscribe and set the notification so that you will know when that post is available.  Please share the podcast with your friends and as always step into the everyday with purpose.