The belief cycle I use to change how I think.

Reading time: 3 minutes 27 seconds.

I've touched on many topics in these newsletters, but one story remains unsaid – my homelessness and how I came to focus on thought patterns and perspective.

So today's focus? Belief systems.

If you’ve been reading my newsletters, you've indirectly been on a journey with me through my belief cycle. I’ve been gently nudging you to reexamine your beliefs, even if you weren't fully aware of it.

Now, don't get me wrong. it’s not natural to instantly recognizes the link between their challenges and belief systems. When you are struggling nobody thinks to their self, ‘oh, my beliefs are the problem! Let me grab a psychology book and figure myself out.’ What’s more common is conversations with ourselves saying, ‘I keep fucking up. What is wrong with me?’

Funny enough, if you Google, ‘belief’, you will get definitions like 'accepting a statement as true’ and synonyms like "opinion" and "view". But there’s a word is missing? Fact.

Dr. Nichole LePera sums it up well: "A belief is a repeated experience that we internalize." Beliefs aren’t set in stone.

They work in our subconscious and usually uninvited guests. Hand me down thoughts and opinions we’ve been taught and accepted. Sources include: friends, families, and even middle bullies.

If someone tells you you're delusional or living in a ‘dream’ world I’d say, ‘damn right.’ If your beliefs are the creations of what you have accepted as true, why not use that to your advantage?

Let's dive into my belief cycle

1. Event: An objective occurrence without personal bias.

2. Minds Echo: This step is when your brain processes the incident, drawing upon a vast library of past experiences, words, and impressions. It's how your mind turns an incident into a story.

3. Interpretive Lens: Here, you take the narrative crafted by your mind and interpret it, forming conclusions and understanding what it means to you personally.

4. Emotional Imprint: Following interpretation, you assign an emotional value to the experience. This is the feeling that arises from your personal interpretation, creating an emotional link to the experience.

5. The Identity switch: The final step of this cycle, where the emotion is internalized and embraced. It becomes a part of your identity, shaping your perspective and future responses to similar experiences.

Example for context: John launches a product, makes two sales on day one. Depending on his past, he might see this as a win or as a disappointing start.

Being homeless was a crash course in self-doubt and victimhood for me. Ever had those nights where you just lay awake, wondering if there’s more to life than the challenges at hand? For me, the shift began when I was tired of feeling powerless.

The most harmful beliefs aren’t always the loudest. They’re the quiet, subtle ones, seeping in through casual comments and misunderstandings. Then parroted in our thoughts and words.

Breaking free from limiting beliefs wasn’t a walk in the park for me. It required reaching rock bottom and countless introspections. For you, it can start with a thought-provoking question, a new insight, or evidence that an alternative exists. And while this might sound oversimplified, it can pave the way for thinking in tune with your goals.

Remember, every thought you entertain will revisit you in related situations. But with increased self-awareness, you'll start recognizing these patterns. With time, you'll trace back to their origins and decide if they deserve space in your life.

Changing your mindset doesn’t happen overnight. Remember, sinking into despair can be as gradual as climbing to success – both are marathons, not sprints.

Shifting my beliefs did more than open doors with successful entrepreneurs. The real win? A changed mindset. It's not about Insta-worthy moments. It's about redefining how you see yourself.

You don’t have to be homeless to change how your beliefs or actions (only slightly jealous). But the power is knowing you are in control.