32 BELIEFS
Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I
believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of
doing it. When I believe I can, I acquire the ability to do it
even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.
Mahatma Gandhi
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The most disempowering belief is that lack of confidence comes with
your genes and is just the way you are. This is a complete misconception,
although quite a common one.
This is so important, I must repeat: your genes play a role in
deciding whether you are more introverted or extroverted; volatile or
placid; and prone to certain conditions such as depression and
compulsive behaviours.
But genes do not determine confidence. Confidence (or lack of it)
comes from what you believe about yourself. No causal link has ever
been found between genes and confidence.
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You can re-condition any belief that interferes with your confidence,
happiness and self-esteem using the I-T-I-A Formula©:
■ Be clear on the beliefs that need to change, and with what you
intend to replace them.
■ Dispute the old beliefs and adopt a new way of thinking.
■ Imagine yourself acting on the new belief and getting the desired
results.
■ Act as if you totally accept the new belief. The more your behaviour
is consistent with a belief, the more unshakable it becomes.
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