Richard Wilson
Wednesday 18 January 2006
The title to this piece is a famous quote from Henry Ford and neatly sums up the whole notion of Self-limiting Beliefs. These beliefs are those things you believe about yourself that place limitations on your abilities. They can be concious or unconscious, founded or unfounded. The extent to which we absorb beliefs, prejudices, good and bad influences about ourselves and others is dependent on many factors which weave themselves through our lives. How do we form a view of ourselves? What influences and determines that view and how does it become entrenched. At what age does it kick in and to what extent do we subscribe to and become ruled by the collective views of society, peers and family? The question I am seeking an answer to is how does this impinge on the learning process of boys and what effect does on have on their life long learning. We already know that boys attainment is affected by societal and geographical factors amongst others. I also believe there is a stubborn and pernicious attitudinal element to low attainment and achievement that is tied in with the notion of self-limiting beliefs.
Indulge me for a moment with a couple of examples from my own experience. When I attended secondary school in a working class area of East Lothian, all of the first year pupils were streamed and put into classes according to the perceived notions of ability at that time (50's and 60's). Gender was also one of the criteria for separation. I, along with a cohort of pupils from the feeder schools was placed in class 1b2 and after further assessment was promoted to the dizzy heights of 1b1, the top class. After a few years we went on to sit O levels, and then the Highers. I however, left school at the tender age of 16 to seek fame and fortune in industry. I can't think of any of my peers who went on to University or College after school. I refuse to believe that we were not suitable stock, something else was in play. Low expectations. None of my family members had attended further education and there was certainly no expectation, it was not even on the horizon. Myself and a whole group of friends of similar background were advised (by the school) and encouraged by our parents to either join the local factory or go down the pit. I believe this was an example of collective self limiting beliefs working in an unconcious concert which mitigated against the chances of any of us moving on to further education. It was still percieved as a middle class thing to do then in my home town, or more correctly, certain parts of my home town. Just how I came to be a Head Teacher with two degrees is at least a four beer story and not for here!
My second example happened fleetingly when I got my first Head Teacher's post and is probably quite understandable, as I walked in the door on the first day only one person out of the one hundred and twenty or so didn't perceive me as the Head Teacher, that was me. At least in that situation I was (literally too!) pushing at an open door. That was when it first occured to me that whatever you believe becomes your own reality.
Thoughts colour beliefs and perceptions and determine our actions or inactions. Thoughts affect feelings and feelings affect behaviour. Behaviour produces results, or not!
Fortunately you can rid yourself of self-limiting beliefs, but it is hard work and very challenging. I know it can be done because I did it, albeit the hard way, twas ever thus.
Some experts have this to say about the subject:
James Allen
Within you right now is the power to do things you neve dreamed were possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you change your beliefs.
Maxwell Maltz
Once your thoughts reflect what you genuinely want to be, the appropriate emotions and the consequent behaviour will flow automatically. Believe it and you will see it.
Wayne Dyer
In a nut shell, you must control the thoughts that play around in you mind. Admit and nurture only those that enhance your positive programming and move to your goals.
Limiting beliefs could come from things people say about us while we grew up. Nurture not nature.
What do you think?