Belief and Expectation

by Mary Bigler

Can you believe it, we're already sliding into September!
 
What a perfect time to reflect upon the goals you set for yourself earlier this year.
(You DID set some, didn't you?)
 
Are you on-track, moving full-steam ahead or are you like most of America, drifting slowly and steadily off-course over the past few months?
 
You have a full Third of the year to work some magic-if you happen to measure your goal achievement by the annual calendar.
 
I invite you to look at the next 4 months with an attitude of positive expectation for all the things you CAN do, not the usual- looking back with regret, disappointment and self-denegration at the time gone by, missed opportunities and things you failed to accomplish.
 
Feel a shift there?
 
What other shifts might you make in your perspective to get you on-track and enjoying success that has eluded you?
 
Working with clients who had not achieved goals despite dedicated efforts to make something happen, I noticed breakthroughs when one particular shift was successfully made.
 
**Belief and Expectation in their ability to reach their desired outcome.
 
If your desires don't align with your belief and expectation for getting it, all the action in the world probably won't get you there, at least not easily.
 
Conversely, when your desire and unwavering belief and confidence in your ability to achieve it are in alignment, chances are good you'll manifest it rather effortlessly.
 
Let me share an example from a former client.
'John' wanted to change careers at mid-life and turn his photography hobby into a well-paying source of income.
He set goals and time-lines for achieving them. He was very action-oriented but never seemed to achieve the results he wanted, meaning a sustainable income form photography.
 
With a little introspective work, John realized his greatest challenge had less to do with the actions he was taking or avoiding and more to do with his not really believing he could transition successfully into another career at age 50-something.
 
He never fully believed he could leave his current employment and get paid well for work he was more passionate about.
 
Until he could change that belief (a habit of thought) he wasn't able to access the field of infinite possibility. He was unconsciously locked in a faulty perspective that saw no way out.
  
He was living in the gap between his desire and his belief about getting it, in what I call the Land of 'What-Is'.
 
Good news, there is Always a way out.
 
He began to succeed as he took steps to shift his perspective into belief and expectation.
Last I heard, John negotiated part-time contract work from home with his 'day job', allowing the schedule flexibility to explore courses, training and teaching opportunities in photography.  
 
To help 'John' (and you) cultivate more coherence between goal and belief, here are a few suggestions: 
 
* Re-examine your goal and all the reasons you want it.
Know exactly how you see it benefiting you and others.
Detail your vision as vividly as possible. Infusing it with life-giving energy enhances your enthusiasm, creative options and belief in achieving it.
 
* Set reasonable goals with realistic time frames for achieving them.
Take baby steps, consistently, in the direction of your goal.
Re-assess what's working/not working on a regular basis.
Build on what is working, tweak or eliminate what isn't.
 
* Document ALL successes and celebrate them, building your confidence and expectation of more to come.
 
* Stop dwelling on 'What-Is'. Continually focusing on what you want but don't (or can't) have will never anchor the belief in your ability to create something better.
Notice when your attention drifts into negativity, uncertainty or lack, shift the focus of attention to what you Do want and remain in that energy.
 
* Turn off the inner censor as to what will or will not work to move you forward.
The more 'evidence' you find that things won't work, the harder it is to believe you can actually succeed.
Get out of your own way by surrendering the details of How your desire will come to life. The Universe delivers in unexpected and delightful ways. Be open to all of them.

 

Mary Bigler is a Life Coach specializing in the universal principles of Attraction. She is an experienced workshop and teleclass leader for those journeying along a path of self-discovery and personal expansion. Mary loves to see people tap into their ability to live life fully engaged, vibrant and full of all they dream about Being/Doing/Having. She most enjoys helping people become deliberate creators of their life experiences.