Successful people use empowering beliefs all the time and their beliefs carry something in common, even though some may seem flawed at times. (I know someone who says this to himself every day, “Man! I’m so sexy, I’ll attract men and women both the same”)

However, if you look carefully at their beliefs, you will realise that all of them use words that put them in control. Most importantly, they are specific.

Conversely, you can derive a pattern from not-so-successful people’s daily dosage of self-affirmed beliefs. You can identify them quite easily. Let us take a look at the tell-tale features of those not-so-useful beliefs:

For example, “my manager does not do his job” and “Mr Johnson’s classes are a waste of time” or “I can never understand that”. Pretty depressing statements, don’t you think?

The above examples contain three big “No-No’s” for any beliefs, like all limiting beliefs.

These beliefs leave you feeling powerless and without control. Notice how the manager and Mr Johnson are made to seem that they are in control of the situation instead of the protagonist. Notice the absence of words such as “I am”, “I can” or “I must”? Use these powerful words more often to take control of your life.

Those beliefs are too brief. Can you tell what is the manager doing wrong or how is Mr Johnson conducting his class? Be specific! If those beliefs are more specific, it is easier to identify any flaws and correct them.

Those beliefs are self-limiting and these are the worst of their kind! By putting yourself down with words such as “I can never understand that”, you are not just surrendering your control, but also sabotaging your potential for improvement. You will resign to your fate and shut your mind towards better opportunities for growth.

Now let us examine some of the top ten most common limiting beliefs and how to counter them. If you realise you have more than two of them, perhaps it is time to re-examine your life.

1. I am too young/old now.

- I’m young and vigorous. This is my advantage and I can do everything in the world.

- I’ve seen the world and possess invaluable experiences. This is my advantage and I can handle whatever comes my way.

2. Work will always be there, I’ll start on it tomorrow. (Procrastination)

- I must set aside a specified amount of time every day and focus 100% within that specified amount of time.

3. I’ll probably just fail anyway, why waste my effort?

- I am capable of learning everything about this new field. I must ask the relevant people and consult the relevant sources when in doubt and always stay focused on what works!

4. If my idea is so fantastic, someone else has probably thought about it and used it.

- Speed is the only protection for my ideas, I must act on it quickly and fully before anyone else does it better than me.

5. My family/friends have invested too much in me; I should not change my decisions now, it will disappoint them too much.

- I am blessed to have supportive family/friends, but I must let them understand my stand and do my best to prove to them that I’m right.

6. My schoolmate/colleague is a genius, there is no way I can ever surpass them. Since I can’t, I might as well give up now.

- I am lucky to have someone to show the standard. I will learn from her and persevere.

7. If life is so fair, why do roses have thorns? I am utterly worthless.

- I have my own undiscovered potential and I must try out everything life has to offer. I will find my innate strength!

8. My preparation is not perfect, the timing is wrong; I should wait a little longer before I start.

- I must start today to work towards being successful, and not wait till I’m successful to start (waiting to be successful to start is a catch-22 anyway).

9. Paris Hilton should be jailed for two months and Beckham should venture into table tennis!

- I must mind my own business and focus on my priorities.

10. I am unworthy of owning/doing/undertaking/being this.

- I have all it takes to own/do/undertake/be this and others recognize it. I will prove that their trust is placed in the right person.

Remember the following words of wisdom:

If life gives you durians, make durian cakes! If your boss gives you headaches, take aspirin (or some alternative “organic” treatment of choice) and then sell your supply of aspirin to your similarly headache-ridden colleagues. If you give yourself poor beliefs, change them, one at a time.