The Joy in Uncovering a Limiting Belief

Posted by Ron Ball

Dec 06, 05

I had a business client, Jerry, with some stress and success blocks that he wanted to explore. We tapped on various beliefs and fears around unworthiness, guilt, rejection, greed, and scarcity. There wasn’t much of an emotional charge to any of these. Then I suggested to Jerry to tap on the different EFT points. While doing so, he was to ask his subconscious or creative mind what the block might be. Jerry was to relax and be receptive. In less than a minute, it happened. Jerry had an “aha” experience and an emotional reaction when he uncovered his limiting belief. The intensity of his feelings was quite high — a strong 10. After tapping a few rounds of EFT, he smiled and had a calmness about him. What was Jerry’s limiting belief?

Actually, it’s one that many people have without realizing it. The belief is:

“Don’t think you’re better than other people.”

Jerry remembered hearing it from his teacher in the first grade in elementary school. Since an authority figure said it, my client believed it as a “universal truth.” The word “better” is a word loaded with subjective meanings. Although the teacher may have intended to teach Jerry to have humility or respect for others, it was a negative affirmation that stayed with my client all these years. What if the teacher had flipped the negative, limiting belief to a positive one.

For example, what if the teacher had said:

You have unique talents and abilities and so do other people.

• Diversity is wonderful. You’ll find more things to appreciate in people.
• Each of us has our own brilliance. What’s yours?
• You’re so good at [talent]. Isn’t that exciting?

People are more talented than other people at some things. Or at least they believe they are and isn’t that the foundation for creating it their reality?

• Barbra Streisand is a better singer than most people.
• David Copperfield is a better magician than most people.
• Emeril Lagasse is a better cook than most people.
• Alice Walker is a better writer than most people.
• Lance Armstrong is a better cyclist than most people.

Each of us are “better” at some things than other people. It may be an innate gift. Also, some people put more effort into things. Some people hone their talent. Some people have more passion. Some people are more willing to go out of their comfort zone than others. Some people exert more energy into achieving their potential. And the list goes on.

If you have this belief, here are some EFT setup phrases, you might try. Or discover your own:

Even though someone told me a long time ago not to think I’m better than other people, I deeply and completely accept myself.

Even though [whoever it was] told me not to think I’m better than other people, it was that person’s issue, not mine.

Even though [whoever it was] told me not to think I’m better than other people, I choose to express my talents and skills to the maximum.

Even though [whoever it was] told me not to think I’m better than other people, I choose to express my personal genius.

Even though [whoever it was] told me not to think I’m better than other people, I choose to know that I have marvelous skills and abilities.

Even though [whoever it was] told me not to think I’m better than other people, I am “better” at some things.

The beauty of EFT is that it’s a superb tool for helping you uncover limiting beliefs that you’re not even aware of. You can erase limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering ones of your choosing. EFT gives you the power to change your life.