Rules VS Beliefs

A college dropout decides to go travel in India and study Buddhism. And a decade later he becomes one of the most known names in the technology world with Macintosh. Does it sound familiar? Yes, that is Steve Jobs.

A divorced woman with a child living on welfare has to change her name to be able to publish a book. And a few years later she becomes one of the richest people in the world. Do you know this story? Yes, that is J.K. Rowling.

Many stories of extreme success come from unlikely backgrounds. Success stories like Steve Jobs and J.K. Rowling challenge societal rules such as, "to succeed you need a degree", or "you have to get a job to sustain your child."

Jobs and J.K. Rowling supported themselves with powerful beliefs to achieve their visions. However, they defied rules that society tried to shove down their throats.

Are your beliefs your own beliefs or are they expired rules passed down from generation to generation?

The difference between rules and beliefs.

Beliefs are what drive us in life. Beliefs shape our worldviews and can limit or push us towards an extraordinary life. However, rules are guidelines to control conducts in a particular field, culture, or activity.

Do you believe that you need a degree because everybody is getting one? Do you believe you need schooling because your parents said so? Or, do you actually think that school is the most beneficial way for you to learn?

I have nothing against furthering education. I am about to complete my MBA degree in a few weeks. However, I decided that I wanted to study in a university just like Jobs decided that he could learn a lot more without being in school.

What are you going through right now? Are these your choices or are you following other's rules?

Beliefs can empower you along the way regardless of what you are pursuing. However, societal expired rules limit your uniqueness to general conformity.

Why do we make expired rules our beliefs? And why is it harmful?

We make expired rules our beliefs because it is easy.

There is a lot of wisdom to be gathered from experience. However, generations change with time and the world starts functioning differently. Thus, I am not saying to everybody "stop listening to your parents," Not everything they say is wrong advice! Far from that. But not everything they say is good advice in our present world either.

Our world is different than the world of past generations.

It is easier to accept worldviews, behaviors, and guidelines than to challenge them. But the danger in accepting is that you, more often than not, are taking a limiting set of rules that will not further your success, dreams, and desires. What is better? Being uncomfortable for a few moments while deciding on what to believe? Or, never achieving any dreams and being truthful to what you want in life?

Another reason of unreasonable acceptance of expired rules is the crave for belonging. "If everybody is searching for a job, then, I should too!" No! No, you do not have to do anything because most people are doing it.

I understand that as human beings we have the need to connect. However, not taking the road less traveled, even though you know it is what you want to do, because of fear of rejection or loneliness is wrong. It is a sure path to low self-confidence and sadness.

As you take the path that sets your heart on fire, regardless if you are the only one or has thousands of people with you, it will make you fulfilled. And fulfilled people tend to have people gravitating around them because they want to experience that level of satisfaction.

How to choose empowering beliefs instead of expired rules.

You need to be intentional in this process. Take time to sit down and reflect on your life.

What is you doing that you wish you were not? Why are you doing this? What is keeping you from stopping?

What do you wish you were doing, but you are not? What is keeping you from starting that pursuit?

Write down rules or beliefs and test them.

Ask, "who said this is true?", "Is this rule/belief helping my sense of fulfillment or is it damaging my confidence?, "Did I choose to believe in this or was it passed down to me?, "Is this rule/belief based on trust or fear?"

The beliefs or rules that pass the test are more likely to be serving you well. The ones that do not pass the test are the ones that need to be replaced.

Remember, you might have to drop expired rules that were taught to you by parents or people that you have admired in the past. Do not feel bad about it! Everyone is different. And the way that you used to think brought you to the level that you are, but it will rarely take you to the next level.

You have a lot to contribute to your community, friends, family, and to the world. Do not let expired rules kill your uniqueness.

#solutions #principles #success #guidance #selfdevelopment