Your beliefs are extremely powerful and can truly determine the quality of your life. The lense in which you view the world is shaped by your beliefs, if you believe negative ones, your brain will search for the negative to reinforce this belief. Contrary to that, if you have positive self beliefs, you will search for cues to reinforce the positive. You can begin examining the beliefs you have about yourself through journaling, increased self awareness, becoming the observer of your thoughts and tracking your habits and the emotions behind them.  

Changing beliefs is not easy - but it is very possible. It takes consistency and practice, but with time, you will find that small shifts can have a big impact. Below are four actionable steps you being to practice in rewriting your beliefs and in essence practice neuroplasticity in real time are: 

CLARITY: Get clear on the limiting beliefs that you currently have. Become mindful, listen to your thoughts and watch your emotions to discover the beliefs that are holding you back. Write them down and become inherently aware of them. Get familiar with the emotions they elicit within you when they arise. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Acknowledge that these are simply beliefs - and are not in fact true. This is the hardest part. Do not get trapped in arguing for your limitations here - “But, but, my limitations are real!” Here’s the place where choice comes in. Which are you more interested in: defending your limitations or achieving your goals and desires? As author Evelyn Waugh wrote, “When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them.” You get to decide.

AFFIRM: For each negative belief, write a series of positive beliefs that reinforce the new belief you are trying to install. Start each new belief with "I am" - these will work as affirmations to replace negative thoughts / beliefs as they arise. Keep this list nearby and refer to it when needed (as you hear yourself falling into negative belief patterns). It is also helpful to write these affirmations down every morning (preferably after meditation), so they start to seep into your subconscious. 

ACTION: This might feel scary, but act as if your new belief is true. In other words, who might you be if you believed this new belief already? If you avoid taking any steps based on your new belief, you will just feed your old limiting belief. Taking action, even the smallest step, will help solidify your new un-limiting decision. Your first steps don’t have to be perfect, just headed in the right direction. And be sure to acknowledge yourself when you’ve taken that step.

Don't forget - the power is all within YOU! You've got this!