An old belief is like an old shoe. We so value its comfort that we fail to notice the hole in it. – Robert Brault
There are countless examples in sport history of belief generating belief, with Roger Bannister’s 4 minute mile being one of the most famous ones.
In the current Rugby World Cup, the latest example is of Japan beating South Africa in the pool games. I’ve just returned from a trip over in the UK where we got to experience the Wallabies play Fiji along with 67,000 other rugby fans, (and as a Scottish born Wallaby fan married to a South African, it’s been quite a tournament so far!) so I can’t help but write about one of the biggest turning points in this world cup.
The collective expectation about the South Africa – Japan game was that South Africa would win. And comprehensively. But Japan broke all assumptions and not only proved that anything is possible, but that being written off before you’ve even begun can be very limiting.
So often in the workplace different individuals, teams or divisions are limited by people’s beliefs about them. I often hear objections about collaborating with others backed up by statements such as ‘everyone else feels that way too’ or ‘everyone knows they’re a nightmare to work with.’
Have you ever succumbed to writing someone off? Or been caught up in a collective negative belief about somebody? What beliefs do you hold about yourself that may not be true?
How many limiting beliefs do you hold about yourself, your team, your company?
Limiting beliefs can drive our focus and behaviour, yet can be removed in an instant through reframing. You can start by asking the question, ‘When did you decide that?’
Your daily behaviour reveals your deepest beliefs – Robin Sharma
After Japan’s win, Scotland went on to beat them, no doubt inspired by belief.
“You have got to be ‘on’ all the time. All the teams here now are believing they can win.” Michael Cheika, Australia Coach, of the Japan win.
Why not start your own belief cycle? Think about what beliefs would elevate your performance and add impact to your results? What hasn’t been done before? What would be considered an impossible achievement?