She explained to him that it was store policy to lock the
cabinets only when customers had left, but it had no effect. The
next time it happened she pointed out that senior management
disapproved of any locking up in the presence of customers; still
no effect. Jane struggled to communicate any authority and
sensed a loss of respect on the part of the staff toward her.
In discussion with a friend she realized that what she could
have said was, “I want you to keep the cabinets open until all the
customers have left.” She hadn't previously spoken for herself.
She realized that by doing that she could begin to establish her
own authority. And she acknowledged that there were many
other situations where she could begin to express what she
wanted by saying “I want” or “I’d like.”
Jane wondered why she hadn't done this before and she
came to understand that “I want” was something she very rarely
said. She remembered her childhood. Her mother had
repeatedly said to her, “I want doesn’t get.”
This is an example of how beliefs are formed. We accept
opinions from influential people in our lives and hold them as
facts. They aren't facts at all. They are perceptions formed
through our own experience and the views of others.
Beliefs are views about ourselves, others, and the world.
These views determine the decisions we take and the way we
behave in everyday situations. Our parents or the equivalent
of parent figures (and this includes teachers) are the source of
many of our beliefs.
For example:
❏ I want doesn't get.
❏ You can achieve whatever you want in this world.
❏ You have to work hard to get on in life.
❏ You always get what you want and you always will.
❏ You'll always land on your feet whatever happens.
❏ You're lazy.
❏ You'll never get what you want in this world if you don't work
for it.
❏ You're a grade A student.
❏ You're stupid.
❏ People can't be trusted.
Beliefs are viewsWRITE YOUR OWN LIFESCRIPT: BELIEFS OF EXCELLENCE 237