Moving Beyond Perceived Limitations
2009 October 29
Possibly the biggest challenge to conjuring up ideas is breaking past the mind’s perceived limitations. In the course of life, we form rules, beliefs and references, mostly outside of our conscious awareness.
Effective advertisers are masterful at manipulating our subconscious to create connections between their products and specific emotional states. Corona, for example, did an excellent job associating their beer with life on a beach.
Some conditioned beliefs are helpful (like “don’t harm others”), while other programs present roadblocks and limitations to our creativity.
Here are three ways you can move beyond limiting thoughts and beliefs:
- Change your language: The language you use greatly affects your thought process and creative capacity. When you use words like, “but it’s always been done that way,” you shut down access to new ideas. Certain words inspire you to action, others don’t.
- Change your questions: Ask questions that fly in the face of your current boundaries. Let’s say you believe there are only two options to a given problem. What if you asked yourself, “What’s option C?” Your brain replies, “There is no option C. I just told you to choose between option A or B. No C.” You say, “I know there’s no option C, but if there were an option C, what would it be?” This question will inadvertently lead your brain to think of a third option. Consciously ask questions that allow you to suspend disbelief and perceived limitations.
- Change your physiology. Your physiology influences how you feel in any instance. In the physiology of depression, your shoulders and head are down, your face frowns, and your breath is shallow. In the physiology of excitement, your head and shoulders are up, your entire body is elongated, and your breathing is more rapid. When you feel stuck, move your body around, stretch, take a deep breath, or do anything that will change your emotional state. You may be only a deep breath or a jumping jack away from having a breakthrough!
Dismantle your disempowering beliefs and be ready to break the rules.
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