2_9_ScanMag_75_April_2015_Text_Q9_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 07/04/2015 21:43 Page 103
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If you believe that, you’ll believe anything? By Paul Blackhurst, client director at Mannaz
What are your goals for 2015? You really should have some. There is so much research confirming the benefits of setting goals. Or, is there? I am writing this one from a sun lounger next to an indoor pool in an English health spa. Life has been busy over the last few months so I thought I would take some time out and relax. Unfortunately, rather than being relaxed, I realise that I am stressed about trying to cram in every treatment and use every facility before time runs out. My children call this “Dad’s queue anxiety” and they watch out for it every time we travel. Intellectually, and for my health, I would like to change this behaviour. From a psychological perspective, I must hold some beliefs which explain and support why I act this way. Identifying and changing underlying beliefs is the key to changing behaviour. Changing behaviour through effort and willpower is rarely sustainable. There must be a common belief that drives the behaviour of being busy. The 17th century French philosopher, Blaise Pascal said: “All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in
a room alone.” Pascal sounds like he was one of life’s introverts but he makes a good point. Pascal was also a man who suggested that beliefs can be changed at will. He even approached the subject of religious beliefs in a logical way. ‘Pascal’s wager’ is the following: "If Jesus does not exist, the non-Christian loses little by believing in him and gains little by not believing. If Jesus does exist, the nonChristian gains eternal life by believing and loses an infinite good by not believing.”
Paul Blackhurst, client director at Mannaz
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Pascal says it makes logical sense simply to believe. The challenge with Pascal’s wager may be a theological one, but it also contains the suggestion that we can choose and change our beliefs at will. This is not easy; however all personal breakthroughs begin with this step. The moment you begin to honestly identify and question your beliefs you can no longer feel certain about them. If you can also find evidence to undermine them, it opens the door to replacing old, disempowering beliefs with new ones that support you. Here are ten examples of empowering beliefs to try on in the next few weeks: 1. The past does not equal the future. 2. There is always a way if I am committed. 3. There are no failures, only outcomes – as long as I learn something, I am succeeding. 4. If I cannot, I must; if I must, I can. 5. Everything happens for a reason and a purpose that serves me. 6. I find great joy in little things… a smile… a flower… a sunset. 7. I give more of myself to others than anyone expects. 8. I create my own reality and am responsible for what I create. 9. If I am confused, I am about to learn something. 10. Every day above ground is a great day. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get to my massage appointment.
Issue 75 | April 2015 | 103