Maybe this is your obstacle?
A couple of weeks ago, we had a laugh over one of my favorite commercials. A man and woman are hopeless STUCK on an ESCALATOR. (You can find the May 15 newsletter on my website.)
The commercial was funny. And convicting.
I’ve been stuck on an escalator—too many times to count. You have too. Why?
Because when you BELIEVE you’re stuck—YOU’RE STUCK!
Belief is an incredibly powerful thing.
Belief influences how you see yourself, how you react to your surroundings, and how you treat others.
But when your beliefs negatively impact your attitude, behavior, health, or well-being, those beliefs become obstacles. They can keep you stuck on that escalator—physically, emotionally, or both.
I finally discovered the obstacle that blocked me from long-term changes and improvements. It wasn’t my attitude. It wasn’t trying harder. And it wasn’t my circumstances.
It all came down to what I believe.
It’s entirely possible that the obstacle holding YOU back from forward progress is WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
Please know that when I talk about what you believe, I’m NOT attacking your faith. But here’s the truth.
How you treat and speak to other people in any given circumstance is based on what you believe.
What you watch on TV or look at on your phone (and how much time you spend doing it) is based on what you believe.
How much quality time you spend with family, friends, and loved ones is based on what you believe.
Your attitude at work is based on what you believe.
What you post and say on social media is based on what you believe.
What and how much you eat is based on what you believe.
How much you spend and give away are based in large part on what you believe.
Whether you exercise and how you care for yourself is based on what you believe.
I know—some of those things are the result of habits. You don’t even think about them. But even habits are formed over time based on—you guessed it—what you believe.
Yes, people sometimes struggle because of tragedies, loss, or health afflictions. There may very well be painful things in your past that you can’t undo, unsee, unhear, or unfeel. And those tragedies are NOT a result of what you believe.
But when bad things do happen, you and I almost always have a CHOICE about how to RESPOND.
Those choices are based—in large part—on what we believe.
Give yourself some time this week to wrap your mind around this idea. Make a list—on paper, on your phone, or in your head—of all of the things you say and do every day that are ultimately the result of what you believe.
But there’s REALLY GOOD news.
Change IS possible. And change can begin by changing what you believe!
If negative and disempowering beliefs have been an obstacle—then WHAT you believe and HOW you put that belief into practice can become a powerful path forward.
Next week, I’ll share a couple of astounding real-life stories about the power of belief and the surprising impact belief can have on your behavior, attitude, and actions.
We’ll also start to turn the corner on how your everyday beliefs can start working for you instead of against you.
Until next time—I’m so very grateful for you.
Go and make a difference.
John Alan