Our beliefs make us who we are and cause how we act. It follows then that the quality of our beliefs will make life seem good or bad. The dictionary defines a belief as “an idea or judgment held as true or valid.”

If you want to change your life then changing your beliefs is a good place to start. But first it’s useful to have some background knowledge on how they exist and influence our lives.

They come from experience, judgements or interpretations that we apply to other experiences. We filter out a lot of detail in our everyday life and make generalisations and decisions based on inherent beliefs.

In short, we make a working map of our world so that we can navigate it quickly and easily. So like a map of London that generalizes in representing all paved roads with one type of symbol, no matter the differences in road surface, grade or other features. It deletes many details - ducks crossing signs, flood warnings and other landmarks along the way such as that great coffee shop or the infamous speed trap. It distorts the landscape, representing the area two-dimensionally.

Good navigators are aware that a map is only as useful as its representation is accurate. Maps can be outdated or simply wrong. So if you insist upon following an out of date map even though it doesn’t match the territory you’ll get lost. However, you can update your beliefs to help you live the life you desire.

Here’s How to Change Your Beliefes

Think of something you absolutely believe, for example the sun will rise tomorrow, or where you live.

As that thought forms inside you notice what pictures, sounds or feelings come into your mind. Focus on the qualities of that picture and not so much on the content. That is, are the colours bright or dull, grainy or clear? Are the sounds loud or muted? Note all of these and at the same time tune into the feelings that come with them.

Now leave that experience to one side and next do the same for something you don’t believe. For example, all politicians are honest, charitable people and act for the common good.

Again, look at, listen and feel the way your mind re-presents that belief to you. Notice whether it’s in colour or not, what sounds are there, how are you feeling and where do you feel that feeling. If there’s a picture notice whether it’s near or far, or if you see you in it. Mentally record this.

You’ve now got two sets of beliefs to compare. One that’s true for you and one that you’re never going to believe. Get a notepad and quickly note down the different qualities. Now you have the foundations of an amazing skill. Once you know how a real belief works inside you, you can make beliefs you want empowering or conversely take limiting beliefs and dis-empower them.

Have an experiment now. Think of something you’ve been silently wanting to have happen for you. It could be something that you’ve noticed others achieve, but somehow you just feel you’ll never get there. Notice what comes with that. Is it like what comes with that earlier belief about politicians?

Now go back to the earlier example of the belief that is an absolute fact and let all the pictures, sounds and feelings come to you again. Make sure it’s the qualities you focus on, and not the content. Once you’re aware of all these qualities direct your mind to what you’d like to have happen for you. In effect you are taking the absolute belief way of being and using it as an internal filter to try out the future you.

You may not experience a lightening flash of change but you may be surprised that in the very near future you’ll start acting on your wish more positively. That’s because beliefs act as permissions and changing a belief in this way will open areas of your life that have hitherto been closed for you.

Want some first-hand experience and help to change your beliefs? Take a look at this: Next Workshop date Thursday October 22 in Surrey. Click here for more details