Who Said You Cannot Be a Millionaire?

Are you letting old limiting beliefs hold you back from being who you can be, doing what you really want to do, or having what you really want?

If you are like many people, you probably received plenty of limiting or critical messages while you were growing up. Most often, these come from well-intentioned loved ones who are trying to protect you from disappointment and rejection. They may have discouraged your grand dreams or starting your own business or investing in real estate and encouraged you to find a “secure” job instead. They may have instilled a fear of risk-taking in you, or criticized and dismissed your artistic creations. While their motives are completely understandable, you have held on to those messages as inner truths and you now move through life believing that certain achievements are closed to you forever.

But ask yourself, is that really true? Just because your high school coach once said that you’re clumsy and you’ll never be a great athlete doesn’t mean he’s right. Just because your father made fun of your finger painting when you were five doesn’t mean you can’t follow your dreams of being a talented and successful artist. Maybe those limiting messages held a grain of truth at one time, or maybe they didn’t. What you have to decide is if they are true now. You do have the ability to choose what your truths are. Your beliefs determine your actions, and your actions form the foundation of your life.

Today, think back to your early years and answer this question: Who said you can’t be successful? They may not have used the same words, but conveyed the same message. Was it your parents, your teachers, your friends? Who convinced you that you don’t have what it takes to do something great? Think carefully about the limiting messages you received about your talents, capabilities, and potential, and now ask yourself the most important question of all: Are you going to believe them?

July 22nd, 2007