Who you become as a person is heavily influenced by what you think and believe. Positive thinking breeds the same, as does negative thinking. When these thoughts and beliefs continually repeat themselves, you become vulnerable to believing them on some conscious or unconscious level.
A common phrase that you will see throughout our content is: a negative thought is not you. Another phrase you will see is: negative thoughts are tabloid material for the mind. Both phrases are absolutely true and should be committed to memory. Yes, negative thinking is an unpleasant, even disturbing experience, but only if you engage with them. All of us experience varying degrees of negative thinking, often automatically, and then wonder why.
The fact is that your brain is fascinatingly complex. The most brilliant neuroscientists in the world still do not understand much of what the brain does or why it does it. You take in billions and billions of bits of information each and every day without noticing.
The most advanced supercomputer in the world cannot even touch the brain’s processing ability. This complex stream of neurochemical and electrical activity inevitably results in abstract, incomplete thoughts – even negative thoughts – from time to time.
Perhaps these repetitiously negative thoughts have resulted in negative beliefs about yourself. Not to worry…it happens. But now that you understand how negative thoughts and beliefs spawn, it’s time to rid yourself of them.
“What you believe is very powerful. If you have toxic emotions of fear, guilt and depression, it is because you have wrong thinking, and you have wrong thinking because of wrong believing.” – Joseph Prince
Here are 11 toxic beliefs to release now…
1.“I am not good enough.”
Oh, yeah – this is number one for a reason. The undisputed, heavyweight champion of false, toxic beliefs is the “not good enough” bit.
Good enough for what, exactly? A promotion? Wife or husband? Success?
How would you know that you’re not good enough? Is this because you haven’t gotten it, yet?
This is a loaded statement and one that requires further examination. Not having something in doesn’t indicate that you’re not good enough for it. Some of the most beautiful, successful people in the world struggle with this toxic belief. Don’t buy into it.
Here are 11 things to remember next time you feel like you’re “not good enough”.
2. “I have no purpose/lost my purpose in life.”
Do you have a designated purpose? If so, how did you come to this designation? Perhaps you have a heartfelt, undying passion for something that hasn’t materialized. If that’s the case, just keep trying. If not, keep searching.
Consider that you’re living your purpose without knowing. Are you a parent or caregiver to someone who needs it? Have you achieved something that few people have? If so, you’ve fulfilled a need or purpose in this life.
Further, by simply being you, you’re fulfilling a purpose on this Earth that no one ever will. Just be the best you can be.
3. “I can’t be fulfilled until I achieve…”
It’s natural to want to dream more, be more, and achieve more. These thoughts become toxic when that “next best thing” becomes an obsession. Some people continually strive for this, only to find that the empty spot in their soul remains.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “Life is a journey, not a destination.” This often falls by the wayside in our achievement-driven society. Remember to live your life as a journey.
4. “My life is too hard.”
Life becomes difficult to handle at times for all of us. As with everything else, much of this depends on your mindset. Nothing can be too difficult to handle unless you allow it.
One thing that makes life difficult to deal with is constant stress – money, work, family, time, and other obligations and limitations. The most advantageous approach to dealing with these external stressors is to simply be present. Deal with one thing at a time with complete focus and then move on to the next.
5. “I must be in a relationship to be truly happy.”
Human beings are social creatures and it’s normal to want someone to share your life with. However, it is worth remembering that nobody and nothing can make you happy except you.
True happiness comes from within, always. Being dependent upon people to make you happy is to give away your power while leading to feelings of desperation and emptiness. Move past these feelings of dependency and create your own happiness, whatever that may be.
6. “I’m too old/it’s too late to pursue my dreams.”
As long as you are able to breathe, you are able to pursue your dreams. The only limitations to what you can dream and achieve come from those that you place.
Consider these people who’ve achieved the extraordinary:
– Dorothy Davenhill Hirsch, aged 89, is the oldest person to travel to the North Pole.
– Gladys Burrill, aged 92, is the oldest person to complete an entire marathon.
– James C. Warren, 87, became the oldest person to receive a pilot’s license.
It’s never too late to pursue anything unless you accept this fable as truth.
7. “I can’t trust anybody.”
This toxic belief is almost always the result of being deeply hurt by someone you trusted. While this may make it difficult to trust others, it should be accepted that most people are trustworthy and loyal.
When someone does betray your trust, learn from the experience and move forward. There are plenty of people willing to give and receive trust in exchange.
8. “I don’t need the help of anyone else.”
When you live in an individualistic society, the notion of asking for help is often associated with shame and weakness. However, nothing could be farther from the truth.
If we are honest with ourselves, we can concede that someone has helped us at one time or another. It’s important to remember that progress is rarely achieved alone. Further, it’s important to understand that those who love us will always be willing to extend a helping hand in a time of need.
There is nothing wrong with needing help. However, there is something wrong with needing help and not allowing it.
9. “Other people are to blame for my problems.”
Again, this is another toxic belief that dissipates your own strength. It is possible at one time that a person may have contributed to a problem. However, problems are not solved by, nor the responsibility of, anyone else but you.
Take a stand by refusing to give away your inner strength while taking responsibility for your life. You’ll feel empowered, free, and able to handle whatever problem comes your way.
10. “Vulnerability is worth avoiding.”
Life itself requires that we be vulnerable. When we get a job, we are vulnerable to losing it. When we get married, we are vulnerable for it not working out. When we achieve success, we are still vulnerable to failure.
To avoid vulnerability is to avoid life itself, which is no way to live. Nothing is ever guaranteed. However, you can guarantee that you’ll become a stronger, wiser, and more complete person for going through some tough times.
11. “I’m weird and an outcast because I’m different.”
If everyone thought this way, we wouldn’t have been graced with the likes of Einstein, Hawking, Freud, Dawkins, Lincoln, Gandhi, Emerson, Buddha, Jesus, or any other remarkable person in history. Outcasts are some of the most brilliant, revolutionary thinkers and teachers of our time.
Not to mention…could you imagine how utterly boring our world would be without the “outcasts” and “weird” people? Not only do they produce some of the most fantastic discoveries, beautiful art, and enthralling literature of our time, but they also do it with flair and eccentricity.
Embrace who you are. Society has enough people that follow the same beat. What we need are those people who take a different path and better our world.
How many of these toxic beliefs have you released? How many do you still need to release? Join us in the discussion below!
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