The Heritage

We’ve been looking at our belief window and how what we believe impacts our lives. Our beliefs usually fall into three broad categories: (1) principles we believe to be true; (2) principles we believe to be false; and (3) principles we do not yet believe are either true or false. As we go through life and learn, we are continually forming beliefs about whether things are true or false, right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate. The problem is that our experiences are imperfect and, consequently, we sometimes make bad decisions based on imperfect beliefs. No person is immune to this error. I suspect that even the wisest people on earth have some principles in their belief windows that are not true.

Communication, or the lack of it, affects our belief windows. In order to have a truly successful marriage, for example, we have to communicate (really communicate) on a regular basis; when we do, we will change some of the principles in our belief windows.

When we are in a state of unconscious incompetence (not even knowing that we don’t know) on any given subject, we actually believe something to be true that is not true. Let’s say, for example, that we don’t even know what a computer is or does. That being the case, perhaps we would believe that we have little use for a computer. The truth is that we would have many potential uses for a computer if we just knew what a computer does and how to use one. This knowledge would mean that our belief that we have little use for a computer simply is not true.

How many areas of unconscious incompetence do you think you might have? Unless you are perfectly educated and informed – having mastered every conceivable subject, art form, and life state – it is probably fair to say that there are principles in your belief window that may need adjusting. More than likely, you have at least a few erroneous principles that are keeping you from having accelerated success.

The choices we make on a daily basis probably number in the thousands. Obviously, some are more important that others, but the total number of choices we make each day would astound us if they could all be counted. We make choices about the work we do, what we wear, what we say, where we go, and countless other things. Some of our decisions are made subconsciously, and others require thought and deliberation. Our lives are consumed with options, whether simple or complex, and every choice we make is controlled and processed through our belief windows.

You may already be very successful. On the other hand, you may have struggled with achievement and may not be as successful as you would like. Whichever the case, it may be a good idea to look at the choices you have made and the principles governing those choices. Regardless of your current achievement level, you can always improve.

Next time we’ll take a look at a well managed life.

Taken with permission from Success Acceleration by Tony Jeary. www.tonyjeary.com