Insights for the Savvy

The Importance of Belief

From elite business schools to the world of personal development, creating visions, setting goals, planning and taking action are considered the keys to attaining what we want. A myriad of self-help and business books also take this view. I less frequently hear the importance of belief mentioned. However, as Napoleon Hill notes, it's an essential ingredient in the recipe: conceive, believe, achieve. Belief can also be seen as the bridge that we cross to travel from an idea to bringing it into existence.

Most of us have conceived great ideas, even put plans in place and begun to execute them. And still, sometimes nothing comes together in a productive way. Gut-level belief is often what's missing. You can write beautiful visions and elaborate plans and even wallpaper your office with them, but until you believe deep down that what you want is possible, not much happens.

We sometimes mistakenly think that the foundation of belief is in the mind, but it actually lives in the realms of intuition and emotion. Belief is a lot like faith - you just have to have it. You can't wait for physical evidence before you decide to believe in your idea.

Belief provides the creative energy, seeing what you want in your mind's eye, and conviction that what you want is truly possible. For me, belief sometimes comes in the form of the feeling that what I want has already happened. As if I am so close that I can reach through space and grab it.

Although belief is an intangible, there are ways to fuel it when it eludes us. The following process is designed to LEAD you further into your belief about yourself, your ideas and your dreams and visions.

L -	Listening.  Listen to your intuition.  Listen to those who believe in you.
E -	Emotion.  Recognize that emotion fuels belief in the form of passion, desire and a deep trust in yourself.
A -	Allowing.  Allow yourself to believe.  Also allow the voices of fear and doubt.  Once you realize what you're actually afraid of, you can effectively dispel it.
D -	Discipline.  Notice where your mind spends its time; what do you focus on?  Are you dwelling on how your ideas have not panned out in the past?  Or, often we spend a lot of time projecting into the future, with thoughts such as, "Well, what if this idea doesn't work out?  Then where will I be?"

The acronym LEAD fits with the concept of belief in more ways than one. When you truly believe in yourself, you take charge of your life. When you take charge, you become a leader in your own life. So get clear about your idea and all the reasons you think it will work. Get clear about yourself and all the reasons you'll succeed. If you believe, you can achieve.

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Now It's Your Turn

• Write out your dream or vision for yourself or your business. What's your dream for one year from now? Be specific and base it on what you really want. Use the LEAD acronym to flesh out and deepen your belief in your vision.

• Make sure to tell at least one supportive person about your vision. Speaking it out loud helps you commit to seeing it through!

Here's What You Need To Know

• Do want to grow your business and live more effortlessly in the process? E-mail me today at claudette@metavoice.org to schedule your complimentary consultation!

• Order your copy of A Guide to Getting: A Clear, Compelling Vision today! Click here for more information and to order http://www.metavoice.org/book

• For a list of articles available for free reprint, send e-mail to articles@metavoice.org, or visit my website at http://www.metavoice.org.

Different Voices

• "Live in your imagination and not your memory." - Steven Covey

• "Entrepreneurs truly believe in their ability to influence events, in their capacity to direct destiny, in their power to shape the future." - Ray Smilor

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Insights for the Savvy is written and produced by Claudette Rowley.  If you have questions or comments, please send them to info@metavoice.org.  To find out more about Claudette and her coaching services, visit http://www.metavoice.org or call 781.676.5633.
Copyright 2003, Claudette Rowley. All Rights Reserved.

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