Ten Powerful Beliefs

1. I like who I am. Perhaps the best thing that you can do for yourself is to build up a positive attitude to your own value. Here’s another Paramahansa Banana Dev parable to illustrate this:

Paramahansa Banana Dev and the Drunk

A man came to Banana Dev complaining that he could not control his drunken behaviour,

‘Banana Dev,’ He said ‘Last night I got drunk again and threw up, I am a worm. I am totally useless and I never get anything right.’

‘Well,’ said Banana Dev, ‘It’s the same for me, I forgot to cut my toenails last night, and now I’m good for nothing, imagine how it feels to know that you can’t even cut your toenails, in fact I might describe myself as a worthless pile of shite. I can’t help you, but maybe you could come back tomorrow.’

‘My God,’ said the man, ‘ I was told you were a wise man but all you do is go on about your bloody toenails, you’re totally useless.’

‘You’re quite right,’ said Banana Dev, ‘Come back tomorrow………by the way, how does it feel to be right about something?’


2. Whatever my situation I have the power to change it: Many people don’t particularly like their work, but continue because they need the money, or until the situation gets so bad that they quit despite the consequences. If you don’t like your work, change how you behave at work or get another job, because if you change nothing then nothing will change. The first step is to believe that you can make changes.
3. I am responsible for my situation: It is easy to blame others, but when we do that we give our freedom to take action to them. At this moment in time it is unfashionable, but taking personal responsibility rather than litigation is empowering.
4. I add value to my own life and the lives of others: Adding value, creating circumstances in which you can be a benefit to yourself and others will improve your self esteem and is central to success in any field, especially business
5. Making plans and setting goals give my life meaning: not to plan is to plan to fail. If you drift aimlessly from one situation to the next you will never experience a sense of achievement. The answer is to set goals and achieve them for a greater sense of self worth.
6. I am committed to……Make a commitment to something, raising the level of your belief to a commitment to achieve a goal whatever it takes gives you the leverage to make a success of what you are trying to do. Making a commitment to something bigger than yourself can provide the idealism that is a great motivator for some people.
7. Every day I act to improve my situation: Take action. Move towards turning your ideas and dreams into reality, otherwise dreams is all you will have. Taking action is the key to success.
8. If I persevere I can achieve my goals: Do not fall at the first hurdle and learn from mistakes. Of course there is a time when carrying on with something that is not working doesn’t make sense, but you need to have stamina to give any project a good chance of success, even if things don’t always look rosy at first.
9. I find the right people to assist me to achieve my goals: It’s almost impossible to succeed on your own. Even if you want to start a family, and that is success for you, it takes two. If you put yourself in the right position and believe the right people will come along,
10. I enjoy my life and other people: This one is more central for me than most of the others, and is a great leveller when I consider the protestant work ethic. You can slave away at a job, make a lot of money and have a truly miserable time. Find some way of living that you find a pleasure and an enjoyment, even if it doesn’t pay all that much, as long as your needs are met. Life is too short for anything else. Besides if you enjoy what you do that is a motivation in itself and you are more likely to succeed and make money anyway.