Change One Belief to Change Your Results

I was just listening to a podcast interview between Marie Forleo and Amy Porterfield discussing Marie’s upcoming book Everything is Figureoutable. During the interview they were discussing a “model” that’s very common in the self-development community (although I’ve seen/heard many different versions). However, the reason it’s so popular is because it is SO mission critical to being effective and creating the results you want in life. 

Beliefs -> Thoughts -> Feelings -> Decisions -> Actions -> Results

Have you ever seen this progression before? If not, then I’ll break it down. If you have… then read on with a beginner’s mind, and I have a question for you at the end, so stay with me.

The version that Marie & Amy were discussing was missing at least one of these elements, but their discussion inspired me to explore this model with you today because it’s a great way to “diagnose” why your results haven’t yet been as amazing as you might desire, and to “figure out” what you want to start doing differently.

Let’s start at the end of this progression because it’s easiest. Most of us know that if we want to create an outcome or particular result in our lives, or if we have a goal that we want to achieve, then we have to take action. It’s those actions that will make that outcome, goal, or result possible. So, we study how to become more focused and effective at taking action.

This study is valuable, important, and beneficial for anyone to improve their ability to consistently take action and get what they want. However, what if I told you that if you want a MASSIVE change in your results, this isn’t where you need to spend your time improving your “performance?” (I know kinda shocking for a productivity expert to be saying, right?)

This was the piece that Amy & Marie skipped when they were talking about the model, but they discussed it in a different context later.

What you decide is most important, your priority on any given day or in a specific season, is what you will choose to take action on. Now, if you never choose a priority, or if you struggle with these decisions and feel like everything is a priority, then you will likely take action on a whole range of different projects. That creates scattershot or very slow results because you aren’t clear, focused, and committed to taking action on a specific outcome.

The ability to be clear about your priorities and decisive in your actions can have a significant impact on both the power and speed of your results.

Now, let’s back the process up further. There’s little question that our feelings about what we want, what we don’t want, or as Danielle LaPorte would say, our desires, can have a huge impact on what decisions we make, (and therefore the actions we take and our results… you see how this is all flowing downhill?) Basically, If you want something badly enough, then you’ll figure out how to get it or make it happen.

This idea came up also in the interview, and I really appreciated the small exercise that Marie Forleo mentioned. Pay attention the next time you hear yourself saying “I can’t…” For instance, “I can’t write I book,” or “I can’t find a partner who also loves to travel,” or “I can’t hire people to help in my business.” Whatever your personal “I can’t” might be, try replacing it with “I won’t”… because that’s being honest with yourself.

Anything you currently “can’t” do is really just something that you’ve chosen not to make a priority right now. You don’t want it enough, your desire and feelings are not pulling you powerfully toward that result. In other words, your feelings are not powerful enough to make the decision to “go all in” and make it happen.

That’s just fine! Your desire for that result simply isn’t strong enough to make it a priority right now. That can change in any moment. When you decide that you will do “whatever it takes,” then you’ll be able to supercharge your feelings, make the decision to commit to it no matter what, and that commitment will drive your actions and create the results.

Perhaps you noticed that in order to crank your feelings in the examples I offered above, it traced back to the thought “I can’t” XYZ. It’s that thought that’s stopping your progress. And, if you try the exercise above and discover that really “you won’t,” then no worries. That’s your current truth.

But, when you want to change it, then it’s time to introduce some new thoughts. If you’ve got something that’s rattling around in your head and heart, but you keep hitting these blocking thoughts, then the best way out is to start asking better questions. “How could I get started?” “Who could help me?” “What specifically could I do this week that would move me closer to that?”

Sometimes, the best way to get unstuck is to start creating momentum, and those kinds of questions can get the ball rolling. Change the thought from “I can’t” to “How could I?” This one change can impact your feelings… which leads to -> new decision to try something -> Take that small action -> moves you one step toward your result.

Here’s the crux… your limiting beliefs are blocking the flow down this very natural river. It’s like someone built a dam on your energy river. The river wants to flow. The water (your energy) is building up and needs to go somewhere. Often, as we try to cope with the build up of this energy we make a lot of very bad decisions… from over eating, drinking too much alcohol, or other poor self-medicating decisions to distract ourselves from the pain and pressure we’re feeling.

Honestly, I think these belief dams are the cause of many of our worst, most self-destructive habits. 

I’m not smart enough.

I’m not good enough.

I don’t deserve it.

I’m unlovable.

Whatever your personal version of these poisonous limiting beliefs might be… It’s time to open the flood gates (or even better blow up the dam!) 

How? Install a new belief.

I do truly love Marie’s “Everything is Figureoutable,” and I find myself hearing this phrase in my head sometimes when I feel the pressure of something that’s difficult. In many ways, this is a “Master belief” that when adopted can wipe all those limiting beliefs away.

So, here’s my question for you: What would be different in your life if you chose to believe and act as if “everything is figureoutable”?

 (If you need help… I bet you’ll find guidance in Marie’s book which will be released on September 10, 2019.)

What’s one thing I could do today that would move me closer to my goal?

How would I show up today if I were someone who deserved the absolute best?

How can I show myself love every single day so that I feel even more capable of anything?

Because… everything is figureoutable.