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PSYCH-K - Beliefs



What are beliefs?

Self-beliefs are essentially the beliefs we hold about ourselves. They define our perception of our own abilities, worth as a person, personal qualities, strengths, weaknesses, and potential. They are the ideas and attitudes that shape our sense of identity and self-esteem, and have a significant impact on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Self-beliefs can be either positive or negative, and they are influenced by a wide range of factors, including our experiences, upbringing, cultural and societal influences, and feedback from others. Positive self-beliefs can help us feel more confident, motivated, and resilient, while negative self-beliefs can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-doubt, and low self-esteem.

In Dr. Bruce Lipton's work, beliefs play a crucial role in the interaction between biology and health. He argues that our beliefs have a direct impact on the behaviour of our cells and can influence our physical and mental health. According to Lipton, negative beliefs and stress can cause changes in our biology that can lead to disease, while positive beliefs and attitudes can promote health and well-being.

What is the belief cycle?

The belief cycle is a psychological model that describes how our beliefs, thoughts, and actions are interconnected and can create a self-reinforcing loop. Here's an example of how the belief cycle might work in practice:

Let's say that someone has a belief that they are not good enough. This belief may lead to negative thoughts such as "I'm a failure" or "I'll never succeed," which in turn can trigger feelings of anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness. These emotions can then influence the person's actions, causing them to avoid challenges, procrastinate, or engage in self-destructive Behaviours.

As a result, the person's experiences and outcomes may confirm their negative belief, reinforcing the cycle. For instance, if the person avoids taking on a new project at work because they believe they're not good enough, they may miss out on an opportunity for growth and development. This can further cement their belief that they're not capable and make it even harder to break out of the cycle.

Why do beliefs hinder a person?

Beliefs can hinder a person when they are negative or limiting in nature. These types of beliefs can create a self-imposed barrier that can prevent a person from achieving their full potential. Negative beliefs can cause a person to doubt their abilities and prevent them from taking risks or pursuing their goals. They can also cause a person to feel anxious or depressed, which can negatively impact their overall well-being.

Limiting beliefs can also create a narrow view of the world, preventing a person from considering other possibilities or alternative perspectives. This can lead to a lack of creativity and innovation, as well as a lack of openness to new ideas and experiences.

Moreover, beliefs can be based on inaccurate information or faulty assumptions. If a person holds beliefs that are not based on reality, they can make poor decisions and miss out on opportunities. For example, if a person believes that they are not good at public speaking, they may avoid opportunities to speak in public, even if it could benefit their career or personal growth.

Beliefs can also be influenced by social and cultural conditioning, which can lead to biases and stereotypes. These types of beliefs can limit a person's ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and can perpetuate discrimination and prejudice.

Psychological effects of Negative self-beliefs.

Negative self-beliefs can have a profound psychological impact on our lives, affecting our thoughts, emotions, Behaviours, and overall well-being. Here are some common psychological impacts of negative self-beliefs:

  • Low self-esteem: Negative self-beliefs can erode our sense of self-worth, leading to feelings of inferiority, shame, and self-doubt. This can contribute to low self-esteem, making it difficult for us to believe in ourselves and our abilities.remove
  • Anxiety and depression: Chronic negative self-talk and self-doubt can contribute to symptoms of anxiety and depression. This can lead to a decrease in our ability to function in daily life, affecting our relationships, work, and overall quality of life..remove
  • Self-sabotage: Negative self-beliefs can lead to self-sabotaging behaviour, as we may not believe we deserve success or happiness. This can manifest in various ways, such as procrastination, avoidance, or self-destructive behaviour.remove
  • Cognitive distortions: Negative self-beliefs can lead to cognitive distortions, such as black and white thinking, overgeneralization, and catastrophizing. These distortions can further reinforce negative self-talk and make it difficult to see things in a more positive light.remove
  • Perfectionism: Negative self-beliefs can contribute to perfectionistic tendencies, leading us to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and feel inadequate when we do not meet them. This can lead to a cycle of self-criticism and self-doubt, which can impact our mental health and well-being.remove
  • Social isolation: Negative self-beliefs can lead to social isolation and a reluctance to form connections with others. This can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression, further reinforcing negative self-talk and beliefs.remove

“I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not alone. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not gonna be the last to go through it,”

— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

“What I love about therapy is that they’ll tell you what your blind spots are. Although that’s uncomfortable and painful, it gives you something to work with.”

— Pink

“The true definition of mental illness is when the majority of your time is spent in the past or future, but rarely living in the realism of NOW.”

- Shannon L. Alder, n.d.


Conscious and unconscious self-beliefs

Self-beliefs can be categorized into conscious and unconscious beliefs. Conscious self-beliefs are those that a person is aware of and can articulate easily. For example, a person may consciously believe that they are good at playing the piano or that they are not good at public speaking.

On the other hand, unconscious self-beliefs are those that a person may not be aware of but can still impact their behaviour and thoughts. These beliefs are often formed in childhood and are deeply ingrained in a person's psyche. They can be influenced by a person's upbringing, culture, and past experiences.

For example, an unconscious self-belief may be that a person is not good enough, even though they may not consciously believe this. This belief may be rooted in past experiences of being criticized or feeling inadequate, and it can impact their behaviour in a variety of ways. They may avoid taking risks or trying new things because they don't believe they are capable of success.

Unconscious self-beliefs can be challenging to identify and overcome, as they are often deeply ingrained and automatic. However, it is possible to bring these beliefs into conscious awareness and work to change them. This can involve challenging negative self-talk, reframing past experiences, and developing a more positive and realistic view of oneself.

It is important to note that both conscious and unconscious self-beliefs can impact a person's behaviour and thoughts. While conscious self-beliefs can be easily identified and worked on, unconscious self-beliefs can be more challenging to recognize and address. However, bringing these beliefs into conscious awareness is the first step in changing them.

Empowering and disempower self-beliefs.

Empowering self-beliefs are positive and affirming beliefs that you hold about yourself and your abilities. These beliefs help you to feel confident, motivated, and capable of achieving your goals. Examples of empowering self-beliefs include:

  • I am capable of achieving my goals.remove
  • I am worthy of success and happiness.remove
  • I am resilient and can overcome challenges.remove
  • I am constantly learning and growing.remove
  • I have the power to change my life for the better.remove
  • I am in control of my thoughts and emotions.remove
  • I have unique talents and strengths that I can use to make a difference.remove
  • I am deserving of love and respect.remove
  • I am enough just as I am.remove
  • I can make a positive impact on the world. remove
  • I am able to handle challenges and overcome obstacles.remove
  • I have valuable skills and talents that I can offer to the world.remove

Disempowered self-beliefs are negative thoughts and beliefs that people have about themselves, which undermine their confidence and self-esteem. These beliefs often stem from past experiences, conditioning, and societal norms. Examples of disempowered self-beliefs include:

  • I am not good enough.remove
  • I am not smart enough.remove
  • I am not worthy of love.remove
  • I am a failure.remove
  • I am not attractive enough.remove
  • I am not capable.remove
  • I am not talented.remove
  • I am not important.remove
  • I am not lovable.remove
  • I am not deserving.remove
  • I am not talented enough.remove
  • I don’t matter.remove
Area of our lives that limiting beliefs can influence.

Limiting beliefs can have a significant impact on various areas of our lives, including:

Sign of negative self-beliefs

Recognizing the signs of negative self-beliefs is important in identifying areas of our lives that may need improvement. Negative self-talk, self-doubt, fear of failure, and lack of confidence can all contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and limit our potential for personal growth. Avoidance Behaviours, self-criticism, procrastination, negative emotions, and self-sabotage can all be indicators of negative self-beliefs and can have a significant impact on our daily lives.


Beliefs and self-sabotage

Beliefs can make a person self-sabotage themselves. Self-sabotage occurs when your actions or thoughts prevent you from achieving your desires. Frequently, this happens unconsciously, as self-sabotage may manifest in subtle patterns like procrastination or fear of failure. Nevertheless, self-sabotaging behaviours and thought patterns can create obstacles that hinder the realization of your goals. Self-sabotage means you’re getting in your own way.


  • If someone believes that they are not capable of success, they may avoid taking risks or trying new things that could lead to positive outcomes. This could prevent them from achieving their goals and limit their personal growth. remove
  • If someone believes that they are not deserving of love or happiness, they may engage in self-destructive Behaviours or sabotage their relationships, ultimately reinforcing their negative beliefs.remove

In some cases, self-sabotage can also be linked to unconscious beliefs that a person may not even be aware of. For instance, if someone has a deep-seated fear of failure or rejection, they may subconsciously undermine their own efforts, believing that failure is inevitable or that they will be rejected regardless of what they do.

Recommended books

The Biology of Belief.

"The Biology of Belief" presents a groundbreaking perspective on the relationship between mind and matter, bringing about a revolution in the field of biology. Lipton, the author, puts forth a novel approach to the subject through the use of simple examples and explanations, challenging the traditional notion that genes solely dictate our behavior and identity. By presenting an alternative viewpoint, the book offers a new direction to our understanding of the link between the physical and mental aspects of our existence.

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