What’s Holding You Back?

July 25th 2017 Insights

A few weeks ago, we explored limiting beliefs, the first of the “Big 4” energy blocks which prevent us from making conscious choices and reaching our potential. Let’s now take a look at another one of those blocks – disempowering assumptions. In general, assumptions are beliefs that are based on the premise that because something happened in the past, it is automatically going to happen again. When we make choices based on our assumptions, we let the past control the future. More specifically, disempowering assumptions hold us back even further, because when we experience something that doesn’t work, we likely avoid or simply won’t even attempt it again. Even if we do attempt it, we don’t put much energy towards it, or are engaged in what we are trying to accomplish, since we don’t really believe it will work. When we hold on to our disempowering assumptions, we miss out on many possibilities.

challenge_assumptionsImagine this scenario: A new salesperson has done five sales presentations, and none of the prospective clients have decided to buy her product. If she’s makes the assumption that she is not good at doing presentations, then it’s unlikely that she’ll put her all into soliciting them. And, even if she does end up doing one, the catabolic energy she brings with her to the presentation may actually repel her potential sales (and without her even realizing it, she has created more proof that her assumption was correct.)

Here are some typical assumptions I commonly hear from clients:

-There’s no way I can handle/manage that. I’ll never be truly successful.

-If I don’t do it myself, it won’t be done right.

-I’m no good at public speaking.

-My son/daughter will never be good in ________________.

-It’s too late in the game now. I’m ____years old. You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.

Because assumptions are primarily based on personal experience, they are internalized and emotional, and somewhat difficult to let go of. Delving deep to remove the emotion of the past experience may be necessary before moving forward. The main question to ask when challenging an assumption is simply “Just because that happened in the past, why must it happen again?”

This month, when you just “know” that something won’t work based on your past experience, recognize your assumption for what it is, question it, and consciously choose to let it go and to take positive action.

Wishing You Always The Best of Success

-Holly-