Daily run, part two

Hi Derek, this is such a fascinating concept to improve your control over your emotions, actions and life.
I remember reading something similar in another blog by Steve Pavilina some time back.

What I wanted to understand if beliefs are such adaptable to be created and dismantled so frequently and with ease. Usually the core beliefs are very powerful and are difficult to dislodge even with years of therapy.

Can you suggest your process of how do you do this and what are some things to be aware of, mistakes to avoid etc

Thanks a ton.
You are one of the clearest thinkers I follow on the internet:)
Thanks! Good questions. I’ll try to address them in future posts. — Derek

I think this is extremely useful. My concern is adopting this habit of mind and becoming disconnected from reality. Reality is hard to discern, but our beliefs need to be loosely connected to truth. Maybe in domains where truth can’t be ascertained for certain, use the most useful belief. In domains where truth is clear, use the most true belief. Maybe that’s a distinction without a difference because it will still lead to choosing the most useful belief.
“…where truth is clear.” : but people who successfully walk across hot coals do it by imagining it’s cool moss. — Derek

Hi Derek, Not to be too theoretical, but It looks like this implies the absence of one truth, which is an essential in philosophy.

Also: are we sure we act based on emotions?

"Drop beliefs that aren’t helping you anymore. Ignore social pressure to be the way you used to be."

Critical thinking here. In a society that's demoralized and exasperated, the mental and emotional spirals we entertain may not avail us the discernment to know, or even to realize, that we're continuing to subject ourselves to familiar, yet dysfunctional beliefs.
Yeah it’s one of the hardest things to realize, yourself. — Derek

This is a such a powerful post. Thank you for sharing. And I will now share with my wife and sons.

For every thought, my CBT therapist makes me calculate not only how much I believe in this automatic thought to be true BUT also how much this thought will help me achieve my current goal. I used to think of this as absolute, but it’s freeing to think about it as a daily or weekly occurrence. Thank you, very helpful.

This reminds me of Scott Adams’ idea in choosing the frame that works for you, but great reminder to believe what works and is fun!

Sounds a lot like the 10 presuppositions of nlp. Do you know these?
No. Email them to me please? — Derek

I love this explanation. From growing up in a very religious house, to leaving the religion entirely as an adult, I can see how this is so true and applicable to everyone.

I love this so much! I’d definitely appreciate more guidance on types of beliefs to use in various situations. I would love to be able to make being conscious of using beliefs in this way a habit.

"The story is about how we choose beliefs because they’re useful, not true." Then, they are NOT beliefs. And you know that, you sly devil. William Blake wrote: "Truth can never be told so as to be understood and not believed." Is that what you are getting at? Or will this be a book about visualization? After all, the runner, doesn't believe there is a pot of gold at the end of his run or that there is a tiger behind him. He imagines it. That's why I feel the running man metaphor is weak. It wants to be about beliefs but it's about visualization. You have worked very hard to master a very sparse, clean, simple, pared-down prose style. That's what made Your Music And People so useful, readable and re-readable for me. [Thank you!] I don't think you are there yet with this sample.
They are metaphors for the story, place-holders for real adopted beliefs like “assume men and women are the same”, or “everything is my fault”. But thank you for the critique. It helps. — Derek

"Fun is always a legitimate and underrated goal." This is what stood out for me and I would love to know more about this concept.
It's kind of what my first book was about. Running a business for fun and generosity, not for the money. Choosing to do things like doing all the programming myself because I enjoy it, even though it's not the profitable choice. — Derek

How do you make sure you accept the new belief? Do you have a process for this Derek?
btw: These could be awesome as quick podcast snippets.
Just like kids pretend the living room floor is hot lava. You just decide to believe it for a while, because you want to. — Derek

Hey Derek,

I've picked the theme right away, even after reading halfway through the first piece. I guess I had a similar experience recently, as described in my previous comment.

"To say that one belief is the best — that one is right and others are wrong — is ignorant of the purpose of beliefs"

This part fascinates me!
I didn't have enough wisdom to notice my ignorance in always seeking the "truth". In recent years I've learned plenty about research methods, and got hooked on looking for falsifiable evidence in even the most mundane of things...

Needless to say, this pattern of thought striped fun away, and brought with it all sorts of frustrations.

Thanks for this article. It brings things back in perspective!

Slavko

Have definitely used ’Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you.’

Spoiler Alert.

A great example was when my kids were little. ‘Father Christmas is watching’ was a useful belief that kept their behaviour somewhat controlled. Perhaps not very ethical but clearly leveraging a global conspiracy to press gang a dead Palestinian into selling PlayStations beer and controlling the under 10s. ( and my partner aged 21 and 420 months who still believes )

As to a book. I like reading (and listening to) folk that make me think differently. Your perspective is also one that achieves this so another book would be welcome.

Best wishes
Oz

Good subject choice for a book. A lot to unpack here. I’ve certainly found beliefs have shaped my actions. As an example, choosing to believe I was an athlete (whether true or not) motivated me to eat far healthier and exercise more than ever before.

Some questions your post raises for me, that I hope a book would cover:

What are good goals to choose? How to find the most powerful belief for a given goal? Can we believe something we know isn’t true? How do we uncover the beliefs we don’t know we hold?
Oooh! Good questions. Thank you. — Derek

You are right on with this meta-advice, Derek! I often tell my students to be skeptical of anu "true" facts in their textbooks. Most of them get overturned eventually. I tell them to go with what works (in my case, to solve people's neurological problems) today. I hold all sorts of mutually contradictory beliefs about how the brain works, and choose today's based on what I am doing or want to do.

"Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you."
Great post. Great quote. Although I would omit the 'for you'. It simply has to work. Sometimes for different results it does not have to work for you but for the others aka 'fake it til you make it'.

And isn't that the credo of art? Eg in music a lot of stuff is not 'right' but still works perfectly. Like Blues where you play minor pentatonics over a major chord and that 'wrong' exactly gives it its magic.
There are no blue horses. And there are no hobbits or Hufflepuff in reality. But it works for millions.

I teach improv theater at a major German university and my job is to lead the students through tools to reflect and detect their own belief systems and truths. If you want to create a new character on the spot you better know your own.
Adopting new beliefs and act upon them is more or less the definition of improv character work. There are lots of exercises for that. And they are fun and enlightening.
Thanks. I'm keeping “for you” because too many people try to adopt practices that worked for other people in very different situations. What worked for Beyoncé or Elon Musk won’t necessarily work for you. — Derek

Nice perception!

Thank you!

My thoughts! Here an example how I came to it: Some self-help book I considered "my bible" many years ago which I kept recommending to others as well, I can´t relate to anymore. And this happened to many other books I read. They might bring some enlightenment or help during a certain time, while at other times reading them is a waste of time ... times change ... situations change ... minds change ... everything changes ... Thanks for sharing this article.

Sounds like you're paraphrasing Tony Robbins. He talks a lot about adopting useful beliefs, and the power that disempowering and empowering beliefs can exert over your ability to act.

Your hot coals/cool moss comment is exactly what Robbins says to folks to get them to do the firewalk at his seminar. I can't tell if you're repackaging Robbins' material, or just exploring ideas that are new to you. (P.S., Robbins started as an NLP practitioner.)

If you actually aren't familiar with Robbins, I suggest reading Awaken The Giant Within. It's a whole seminar in a book and there's a big chapter about adopting useful beliefs. Robbins does some whacky stuff in real life, but his core material is very good. Especially the ATGW book.
☺ See my notes on that book — Derek

Thanks Derek for a post that makes you think!

1. The greatest thing about being a human is to realize that belief is a choice.

2. And that the whole thing is cyclical. Belief affects action and action affects beliefs. Richard Wiseman showed that people who were optimistic get more lucky breaks in life. If you get more lucky breaks, you will become more optimistic.

3. Your beliefs can ripple actions outside of you. Robert Rosenthal et al showed this: teachers belief of how smart or dumb a student is, affected the students performance.

4. The choice one has to make is to short circuit the "belief -> action -> reaffirm belief" cycle. To lean towards beliefs that may not be true, but that if they were true, the world would be a better place.

“If you want to believe in something, then believe in it. Just because something isn’t true, that’s no reason you can’t believe in it… Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most: that people are basically good; that honor, courage and virtue mean everything; that power and money – money and power – mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil. And I want you to remember this; that love – true love – never dies. Remember that, boy. Remember that. It doesn’t matter if they’re true or not, a man should believe in those things because those are the things worth believing in.” – Hub McCann, played by Robert Duvall, in Secondhand Lions

What would be the goal of your book?

I want to explore this subject deeper. It’s fascinated me for years. I only last month found out it’s a branch of philosophy called Pragmatism: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pragmatism — Derek

I can already picture the title: Whatever works
Ha! Working title is “Useful Not True” and subtitle is “whatever works for you” ☺ — Derek

Thank you for this. I've always been caught up in trying to find the one thing that works for me. It's so liberating to think about it as finding what works now.
Yeah it can change daily! — Derek

I relate to this!

I remember when I wanted to be in Berklee so that I would surrounded by musicians that were better than me. That pushed me to learn and work harder at my craft. It served me well then.

However, years later… that belief didn’t serve me well when I was leading my own projects… I was insecure in making decisions for my art… I didn’t feel confident enough. At that point, I needed more confidence.

The tiger is useful for me when I need to get things done now… and the gold is useful for me to wake up out of bed. It’s true that both are useful, at the right time.

Thanks Derek!
Great example! Thanks Az. — Derek

Nice point.
Just a thought. Beliefs are not so easy to change - ask people with addictions, etc. A book that I think is really good and has helped me is - 'MindWorks: A Practical Guide for Changing Thoughts Beliefs, and Emotional Reactions' by Gary van Warmerdam. A life changing book.
Thanks for the tip! — Derek

Reminds me of the argument made in Sapiens about how our imagination has helped us so much in some ways.
Yes! I also love his example of pointing out how money and laws are stories, and “all men are created equal” is not self-evidently true. — Derek

A suggestion - a much cleaner and clearer foundation for these thoughts is needed. I think you might use 'believe' when you mean 'think' (the evidential basis of the latter is meant to be stronger, though it can sadly share many of the pitfalls and shortcuts underpinning beliefs), and you use 'beliefs' when you mean 'heuristics'.

Beliefs are a bit like visual illusions - they are both immune to cognition. I know the Sun must appear the same size anywhere in the sky but I see the setting Sun as many times bigger than it is at noon. Beliefs thrive on counterfactual thinking - demonstrating a belief is false leads to a strengthening of that belief. As Anais Nin wrote 'We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are' ...... and we prefer to believe rather than think ( a wild generalisation but I hope you get the point).

It's a powerful topic for the next book, given the fractured times we live in, but I believe (couldn't resist) a consistent structure can only help.
Great feedback. Thank you. — Derek

"Thanks. I'm keeping “for you” because too many people try to adopt practices that worked for other people in very different situations. What worked for Beyoncé or Elon Musk won’t necessarily work for you. — Derek"

Wasn't the fun part about that? Try it, have fun and find out if it works. If not, you at least had fun and got some insights.

If you want to do the 'right' things you are disappointed if it does not work. Because if it is right and it toes not work it must be you who is wrong.

In fact i tried some of Elons strategies and some worked, some did't. I had fun doing so. And now I can relate even more to his "You wouldn't want to be me" :-)

One chapter I would like to read in a book would be about imitating your heroes. It is a well proven strategy and has been used since ages. Today it may not be your father or the tribe leader but some internet celebrities. WWJD? What would Derek do? There is an online AI that simulates Albert Einstein. It's still very basic but maybe one day we could ask a celeb avatar about the 'things that worked for him'.

What a great way of thinking! Reminds me of "Mind Management, not Time Management" by David Kadavy, have you read it? It's aligning creative work to your mental state, either by adjusting the work you do or your mental state.

You seem to describe a similar concept but on a higher level, so deciding what beliefs to use could be more useful for longer periods of time (days, weeks) to work on a project or for bigger decisions. As opposed to the mind management approach which deals mainly with the work at hand.
Hadn't heard of that. Thank you. — Derek

There is a distinction between "belief" and "pretend“.

If I’m believing something, I assume it to be true and there are usually no second thoughts or internal questioning. Beliefs are also often not picked like the clothes I put on in the morning, but something that habituated itself over years of training — the actual act of believing.

"How to Live" was a lot about picking beliefs, because essentially, each way of living is following a certain set of beliefs. Switching fluently between different beliefs requires a lot of internal flexibility and freedom from self-limiting beliefs — which is unfortunately not the most dominant modus operandi for western people.

There is this quote I’m not sure whom to attribute it to (it’s definitely not from me), but something I find to be true:

> It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting.

This implies, that, e.g., „running each day in the forest“ would eventually create a life with a „pot of gold“ — sorry, I manipulating your metaphor :) However, I find it important also to include the reasons and importance of why we’re „running“.

For me, just deciding to believe in something usually doesn’t create meaningful change. Most people have at least so much self-awareness to notice their fundamental beliefs about life underneath the coat of pretending (at least in a quite minute). It’s then often more helpful to identify and question those, to make space and time to realize something new about life.

Eventually, there is nothing to believe, just to pay attention.

I loved the line “ Neither belief is true, but I adopted them because they helped me take the right actions.”

A good summary that helps me remember the essence of the whole piece.

Beliefs are the root and can be introspected and challenged. They might as well be because there is always new information to incorporate or a new context.

“Strong convictions, loosely held” I heard Petter Attia say a couple of times.

…I’d be interested to hear you talk about values as an anchor?

Value your work,
Claire.
Thanks Claire. — Derek

"Ha! Working title is “Useful Not True” and subtitle is “whatever works for you” ☺ — Derek"


There is already a book from a guy called Hans Vaihinger "The philosophy of As If"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philosophy_of_%27As_if%27

"The book presents an epistemology as well as a practical world and life view. Vaihinger describes human knowledge as erroneous and contradictory and asks how to explain the fact that one can still arrive at the right thing based on these false assumptions. "
Cool! I will read this. Danke! — Derek

Ha! This arrives exactly when I'm confronting ditching almost every belief I held 'for love' (which is giving me the impetus to do all kinds of crazy things I once held as 'wrong' or damaging and are proving to be the opposite).

But my questions - and request to cover in the new book - are:

- how do you / we define 'useful' or what works? Real life e.g. cleaning my partner's very dirty fridge might save him from salmonella (or not) and also impose my belief on him (aside from being a highly threatening act of intereference, and distracting me from writing)... And yet in the moment it gives great pleasure!

- can emotions lie (informed by the body's desires...) and is the 'goal' of the moment more useful than the goal of the future?

This is the bog currently being traversed, probably with many others so great timing.
Good questions. Thank you. — Derek

If only we could stop thinking all together. That's the real goal.

I really like this, Derek!

My contribution is the suggestion to build a simple multi-choice framework, to make it quick and easy to diagnose and intervene early (even pre-emptively) in the specific situation faced.

“Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you.“ -> Will send this to a friend of mine who has passionately been encouraging me to reintroduce meat into my life (as she did that and felt better).

Yeah she believes in carnivore. I believe in whole-foods-plants-based. Both or neither of our beliefs might be right. But hers definitely works for her, mine works for me.

And trying to convince my belief will work for someone else might just be a waste of time.
Great example! — Derek

Your thought are amazing. It has very good perspective. Lots of love. Keep Writing

Derek, I love your last word in this post, "Needs."
I look forward to you reading Nonviolent Communication, which is premised on individual Needs being at the center of life - and getting or not getting those needs met, creating feelings. You write "Emotions come from beliefs." And this can be true, because beliefs impact needs but ...
I'd love to hear you say "look, you have 37 needs to meet (fun, safety, community, impact, etc), and if those are met you're gonna be blissful and impactful so thus structure your beliefs to meet those needs, it will feed emotions that positively impact your outcomes.
Maybe I'm not saying anything, it's 4:37 am in New York, haha.
PS - Reading the graphic novelizations of Sapiens to my 11-yr-old, they are brilliant, you guys will love them. Hearts.
Yeah! See my notes on it, here. (And yeah we loved the comic book of Sapiens too.) — Derek

Hi Derek,

This is so powerful. I have the idea only you can come to such thought because your have the time and take the time to think about how being happy. It is so important.
My thoughts:
- beliefs mean to me the internal chatter... what are you telling yourself the whole day. Change/reframe that story to something that becomes your truth
- there is no one truth when it comes to beliefs... for everything one says the opposite also contains a part of truth.It's about YOUR truth
- I find a lot of wisdom in Michael Singer who talks about letting go. The search for happines is finding what makes you happy... but also about dealing in the right way with the garbage that is inside. Singer brings everything I read about self improvement in one global sheme... that works for me :-))

Keep on writing, thinking, sharing Derek. You make the world a better place.

Very interesting - I will try this.

How I've been managing: for me to take action I don't particularly fall back on my belief system (which I tend to use more fundamentally to see and understand life and well, everything) but rather motivation and drive. And to take action and go somewhere one needs a destination and goal.

If we look at "reality" we over-analyze and end up doing nothing.

To reach a wanted destination made up motivation or beliefs are far more important.

Some interesting stuff in the post and the comments - especially about what are thoughts and what are beliefs. The way I would think of it (because I am a fiction writer) is "what story am I telling myself and what impact is that having on my life and happiness?" You could do it now- tell a story abuot who you are and what you have achieved from a negative perspective, and then tell a story containing the same life details from a positive perspective. It's the same life. This is what I believe a lot of spiritual stuff is getting at - you can have a heaven or a hell, depending on which story you tell. The situation itself remains unchanged. And in terms of achieving your goals - your can tell the story that you haven't succeeded, or you can tell the story that you're someone who is living their true life and enjoying the journey. So it's not that the facts or the true aspects change, but how we decide to interpret them change.
We've all been in a situation where someone we know has thought the worst about a situation that wouldn't even cross our radar - and vice versa, Because the storytelling setting inside us is different, usually due to past events. So you can change the stories you tell about yourself, but it is an effort. Many of us are wedded to our more negative stories...but I guess that is another post!

I actually have a very different take on this. I think we all chose what we believe, internationally or subconsciously. What really matter is finding out what is true, and make choices based on what's known to be closest to be true. Truth is actually something you can get close but never reach. Another revelation I had recently is that I realized that what we think something is "hard" or "easy" to do is actually an illusion, just the way we rationalize our discussions to take or not take actions. What really matters is if the goal is reachable, and what actions do you take. Even the hardest thing can be achieve if we don't stop taking actions, as long as it is not impossible. The easiest thing can become impossible if we decide not to do or quit.
What you chose to believe can work for or against you, the difference largely depends on what is true.
As a result, my simple rule is that: 1) keep trying to be less wrong, whiteout holding strong believes; 2) making choices to take the actions which helps me to be better.
I finally quit smoking overnight, not be cause it became easier, because I made the choice not to be the smoking dad. And I run at least 10km everyday, not feeling it is hard, regardless of the conditions, because I know it is making me healthier.

I like the concept. This is really helpful.

Your metaphoric story on the power of beliefs reminds me of what I have been reading last night in "Homo Deus" by Yuval Noah Harari. Yuval goes deep into this same theme about beliefs in our modern age.

In modern times...
"humans agree to give up meaning in exchange for power".

"If modernity has a motto, it is ‘shit happens’."

From Chapter 6, The Modern Covenant.

Hey Derek, this one got me thinking. I read the first article a while back and I thought it was about our universal human reactions to difficult situations: fight, flight or freeze (didn't match 100% as it was obviously not what you were pointing at).

Still, I'm coming back to this: To me beliefs and "patterns" that we have running inside us, which shape our reactions and behavior, are not something we can "think" or "belief" our way out of. If you're, let's say, attacked a certain way, you'll react the way that you've always have. It is possible to change these patterns, for sure but I personally do not believe in affirmations, visualizations and all that. I do believe in body work, (trauma) therapy and slow, but lasting inner work. That worked for me.

Hence, reading a book about "just change your beliefs to whatever suits you" wouldn't work for me. It is great, that it works for you - so is that it? Is that enough for such kind of approach?

What I'm also wondering about: How do you actually change and adapt beliefs? Do you have to tell them to yourself every morning in the mirror or write them or...? How do you know what your beliefs are? How do you know that your beliefs have changed for real and it's not just wishful thinking? How do you know if they're good or bad for your goals? What about beliefs that work for you but hurt other people? Does this approach validate a "I need to get this job, so I'll kill all other applicants" belief? Lot of questions I'm sure you'll have some ideas about :-)
Ooooh! I love that you brought this up. Definitely will address it. Thank you. — Derek

I often find that the same beliefs can't motivate me forever - as time goes on it's like making a copy of a copy and losing fidelity. The initial magic from intuitively connecting deeply with an idea is replaced with something else, maybe a mantra or an image which tries to conjure it back, but it won't always work. Then one day when the conditions have changed sufficiently I can come back to it to see it with fresh eyes and connect intuitively again.

I agree that having a different mindset / framework for different situations is a useful skill for life.

However, I strongly disagree that these we should call these frameworks "beliefs", or try to conflate the two concepts. I think it's incredibly important that capital "T" truth remains sacrosanct, and that belief definitionally cannot be a choice, but a reflection of what we are most convinced of by reason and evidence. False beliefs may be comforting or useful in some cases, but are also quite likely to lead to unjustified and harmful behaviors, since they do not ultimately reflect reality.

But I don't think you're talking about real "belief". The runner in your story doesn't actually believe there's a pot of gold to find, or that they're being chased by a tiger. It's a game of pretend that allows them to get in the proper mindset for success. It's all just surface level; they know the game isn't actually true. They don't "believe" it.

And I'm hoping that's the lesson you're going for, that people should train themselves to attune their mindset based on their mood and their goals, but not that they should actually try, in a deep, meaningful way, to convince themselves of something that is probably false. The ability to adjust which game of pretend you're playing, jumping in and out of enabling fictions as they become or cease being useful, is a powerful tool.

But I would steer way clear of conflating it with belief, or of minimizing the importance of trying to have one's actual beliefs reflect reality.

Our life is what our thoughts make it - Marcus Aurelius

What I find truly powerful in your observations is to work hard on using your thoughts - which reflects your beliefs, to drive your behaviour for outcomes you desire,knowing this means changing beliefs on a regular basis.

Message Do not get stuck in one place or set of thoughts and belief's

Best Peter

Hi Derek,

If you are looking deeper into this topic, you might like Joshua Spodek's book Remodel which talks about this: joshuaspodek.com/remodel

Quick excerpt:

An old story tells of three stonecutters asked what they were doing.

The first looked unhappy. He said, I'm making a living cutting stones.

The second looked happier and proud. He kept on hammering while he said, I'm doing the best job of stone-cutting in the entire country.

The third one looked up with a visionary gleam in his eyes and said, I'm building a cathedral.
Love this! Thanks for the book tip. I need to address the non-action importance of beliefs and mindset, like all 3 may be cutting stones equally well, but the 3rd one feels best about it. Internal peace and fulfillment matter even if actions stay the same. — Derek

Great werk! Thank you. I believe (!) there is much emotion without action and much action without emotion…but to be motivated to run for example and then to improve the gair/time/run (or whatever a person strives for) is less about emotion but more about feelings and motivation (in my simple mind)….keep up the great work - you always make me think about life and how we tick!

As always, thank you for such wonderful thoughts.

The variance in beliefs between individuals is something that I've been fascinated by, but having fluid beliefs AS an individual is something new for me to think about.

It's not that I've ever thought of myself as rigid in my beliefs. I try to prove myself wrong or get proven wrong pretty regularly. But I never stopped to think about something working for me in the past changing with nothing more than a decision to change it.

Time to experiment with believing I'm an extrovert! 😊

Thank you again, sir.

This is the first time I have come across the idea of belief having such utility. I know and have experienced how I can willfully interchange beliefs that are polar opposites of each other to learn new ways of being. The changes have always left me hanging emotionally. Part 2 has made me realise the process I was going through and its value. The emotional aspect in deliberately picking beliefs to motivate specific action was the hardest part for me to navigate. Trusting the emotion that is triggered by the belief to lead you to the right action took time. It is such a powerful and affirming read. Thanks

I've been adopting random and sometimes deliberately chosen beliefs from time to time since I can remember. I was an atheist as a child, which seemed to open the door for mind experiments of this nature. When I later realised I couldn't disprove the existence of God, or gods, or goddesses, I decided to be an agnostic, open to the concept of higher powers and benevolent guardians. This opened my eyes to the concept of clues to valuable insights being available everywhere, and manifesting helpfully at any time.

As an adult I tried to think myself into various ways of existing that could be fun, and games to play which would be just for my amusement and harm nobody. I remember thinking myself handsome. I'm not ugly, just average, and I was surprised how swiftly it worked. Never sure if I was turning on a feedback loop or just heightening my awareness of other people and their reactions to me. I also learnt to turn off visibility, having been set that task by my Aikido sensei who told me to go to a party where many people knew me, and to be so quiet in myself that nobody remembered I was there.

So your running metaphor is a good one, when I completely relate to. Long may it last.

Dean.

Oh God. The Matrix has got a lot to answer for. Please don’t write a postmodernist book about ‘This is my Truth’. There’s quite enough of these. Surely you can see the danger in choosing your belief according to the outcome you want? I want to be rich so I will envisage myself a mogul trampling down anyone who fits in my way because - eyes on the prize! People have a tendency to over-simplify the path because they want the shortest route to success. Redefining reality is really not the way we need to go. Reinvisaging it and working towards that better path - great. Pretending there’s a pot of gold. Sure, that will engage the part of your brain that wants the shortest path, but maybe not the one that will stay the course and course correct as necessary. Which is very much the advice of your previous work, so this just doesn’t make sense to me.

My suspicion is this is not about beliefs. It is about possibilities. If you embody a belief then Don’t expect it to let go just because it no longer makes sense.

Peter Warlock ended up gassing himself having become infatuated with the belief that he was the reincarnation of Gesualdo. I don’t think he wanted that as a long term belief. But it possessed him. Maybe. Or maybe I just believe that because a person in a Werner Herzog film said so.

Do not underestimate the power of beliefs. You may intend to hold them lightly and try them on, as we did in our teenage years, but they have their own agenda, their own personality if you like. It is a risky game, pretending we can lightly hold beliefs and cast them off at will.

Still, it would be an interesting read, if only to find out why I feel this is a dangerous course - a civilisation ending course, potentially. An entropic course.

Derek,
I appreciate your thought-provoking blogs. I especially liked "Relax for the Same Result," which goes back a good ways. Still trying to write a song about it.

I agree with you about the power of belief systems. They affect our happiness, our success, and our health.

What you advocate, though, sounds pretty fickle and insubstantial. It's hard for me to believe that someone would keep falling for this self trickery.

If you're willing to switch beliefs so easily, it seems you'd be vulnerable to negative beliefs too.

Better to have one solid, powerful, comprhensive world view that covers every situation. For me that means believing in a universe characterized by abundance and governed by a basic principle: Love.

I can't prove this to you with mathematic calculations (E=MC2 certainly hints at it.) And photos from the space telescope don't prove it even if it sure is beautiful out there.

But in my personal experience, knowing that Love will provide me with everything that I need (which is usually far better than my most grandiose dreams) has led to wonderful outcomes for which I'm very thankful.

Hacking Motivation.

Rather than finding your Why, create one.

But doesn't this leave you at the precipice of situational ethics?

It is good to be flexible, adaptable. But not spineless. Our am I just being judgmental?

Are you running towards something or away from something?

If asked what they want a lot of people will say: Freedom.
But what always puzzles me is that few reflect on the difference between "Freedom from..." & "Freedom to..."

I work as an innovation consultant with GreenTech Start-Ups (Solar, EV, EcoBalancing...) and I find it so interesting how their value systems can be their drivers and limiters at the same time.

One founder I work with wants to build a high-tech company as a quasi anarchic social collective. It is incredibly hard because our world, seems not to be ready for it yet and a company like that needs a lot of resources and coordinated action.

His circle of liberal activist friends is super supportive and believes in him completely, reinforcing his narrative of fighting the big evil corporations.

But in reality, the company is about to break apart after 5 Years of research due to lack of funding and leadership.

There were possibilities for both, but he rejected them because the people offering that support weren't aligned with his beliefs.

After a lot of long conversations with the other co-founders, I've come to the belief that it is his personal belief system, that is inhibiting him & the company from thriving. Yet at the same time, it is what brought the people working on the project together in the first place and created enough momentum to develop a game changing green technology almost to production readiness, two years ahead of the competition.

My conclusion is that our actions informed by our beliefs are only valid if we are aware of the reality of the context we apply them in.

Insightful piece. I'm currently reading a book, it's old school but still has some relatable ideas, I'm sure you've read it but in case not it's 'What to say to yourself when you talk to yourself' by Shad Helmstetter. He says Programming creates beliefs, beliefs create attitudes, attitudes create feelings, feelings determine actions, and actions create results.
During the book I did think, some people might become disconnected from reality, using some of the methods in this book, but that could just be my old programming thinking for me...

Hey Dee - on the button as usual with 'Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you'. We tend to so easily get lost in the verbiage, we miss what really matters to self and the relevant benefits...

"Picturing one future makes you quit. Picturing another future makes you jump out of bed, full of inspiration and action. A single thought can exhaust you or motivate you."

This paragraph really hit me hard, as someone whose autism makes them prone to overthinking and catastrophising around the state of the world, upcoming tasks and events, etc.

Stepping away from social media has helped a lot, but I've also had to reduce my news consumption to occasional headlines on the radio and glances at news websites from time to time. Blogs and long-read articles can show the bigger picture and sometimes that helps me by putting a headline into context.

Your post also reminded me of the period in the 2000s when I was interested in atheism, but increasingly found myself repulsed by the attitudes that some 'leaders' held towards others, not just those of faith but women, ethnic minories and LGBTQ+ folx. The use of 'belief' as a club with which to beat down anyone perceived as 'other' or 'lesser' horrifies and repulsed me.

On a lighter note, I've also changed my attitude towards technology as I've gotten older. I no longer crave after the latest shiny thing, nor am I a fanboy for any system, app or company. Increasingly, I'm looking to make what I own now last as long as possible, and utilise the power and capabilities I have on my desk and in my pocket as much as possible, while also ensuring my documents will endure and remain usable and readable whatever happens.

The analogy you used is spot on. It would be great if you include ’how to find the belief that drives one’. Because I feel finding that is the elephant in the room.

I’ve been revisiting the power of now and a new earth the last few days and everything seems to be leading me again to this, who I am is who I am and that’s what works for me - when you step outside it just makes all organised religion and ‘teachings’ really look like collective insanity - how can these people teach and impress absolute truth about anything? The basic principles of all the masters hold truth, that you discover your truth and your energy and that’s all the work there is - everyone else is everyone else!

Derek, your insight is so clear, simple and doable. It’s been right there all along in every action we perform, but I’ve never seen the process so clearly til I read your post! Talk about an “aha!” moment! Thank you!

It is very interesting and it is a topic I think almost every day.

One observation I have made us that religious people have more work ethic and consistency than the average non-religious. The fact that they think somebody is watching them and that they need to earn the pass to heaven set some traits that make the probability of success in life higher.

As a non-religious guy I can see the value and I am even jealous.

I wish I just could switch beliefs quickly and as needed.

There's a lot of truth to this, a lot of practicality. I do believe that we create our own reality. However, I'm sorry, but there is such a thing as truth. In fact I think that is one of the huge issues in the world--certainly in the states--right now: this idea that literal or profound truth (for of course there are levels) doesn't matter, needn't matter.
Also, emotions are choiceless. We can respond to them in various ways, but we do not choose them. No doubt individuals who have truly (!) developed their own personal power can exercise various means to navigate or guide them, but emotions are physical as well as all else they are. Yes they are driven by beliefs, but that's not all they're driven by.
I love the idea of taking your eyes off the prize and looking around. I think of it as being open, and when I remember to be & practice it, life flows. And fun, play, does so much good in so many directions, it's an elixir. Thanks for the thoughts Derek

For the past 14 years, I've been using psychological models to help people understand their innate talents and align them with their work. Each one sets out to describe the personality through a set of traits.

Proponents of various models often create psychometric tests that aim to help individuals understand how predominant each trait is, creating a personality profile.

As I've gone deep into the science behind the models and the assessments with the help of psychometricians and psychologists, I've found that it's just about impossible to prove that any model is absolutely true. At most, researchers can claim that there is "validity evidence"--that there are some facts that lend support to particular frameworks. And that psychometric assessments can only be somewhat reliable at best.

This doesn't mean the models and their related tests aren't of value. What I have found to be of greater importance is when people can recognize the traits, and see something of themselves in those traits that can be helpful for them in their personal growth.

One of the models I've found particularly of value is Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences. In 1983, Gardner challenged the concept of IQ, proposing that there's more than one way to be smart (e.g., you could be smart not only with logic and language, but also with your body, people, music, visual/spatial ability, capacity for self-reflection, and ability to interact with the natural world).

As I delved into the "proof" of his theory, I found a huge amount of opposition. In fact, I seemed to find more criticism than evidence that supported it. In fact, one of the greatest objections is that there is little research establishing its validity.

At the same time, this hasn't stopped millions of people from around the world--especially primary school teachers--from using the model to recognize that their students are different. Some kids are more social, others are naturally gifted in music, while others have a way with animals. They have been able to use the model to create learning environments that are more differentiated, catering to the different needs and learning style of children.

One day while trying to get to the bottom of this issue of the absoluteness of personality traits, I discovered an article that helped me understand Gardner's enlightened view of his own model. Despite pressure for him to provide absolute definitions and evidence of the multiple intelligences, he never did so, instead referring to them as "useful fictions".

Hah! Which scientist would say such a thing about his own theory!?

This was liberating for me, because from then on, I could view his model and others in a lighter manner--without the need to prove their validity absolutely (which is impossible anyway).

I can now make use of whichever models I feel are of value to those I work with--which inspire them to become their best versions of themselves.

Love the article Derek.

On the surface of it, it makes perfect sense.

If only choosing which beliefs to adopt, hold or release was as easy as selecting or discarding them!

My experience has been that unconscious beliefs (aka conditioning) overrule consciously selected beliefs, therefore it’s important to release the single (or web of) beliefs that hold the unhelpful one in place, alongside deciding what is wanted instead.

For example I can tell myself “I’m a great runner”, affirm it in the mirror every day, repeat it as a mantra or have it played to me during my sleep, but if there’s an unconscious belief that I can’t run or I’m a terrible runner, my reality will conform to the unconscious belief.

Unconscious beliefs often accompany negative situations, trauma, pain, shock, and in these cases there is some unresolved negative emotions that will also need to be resolved.

Clearing the old and installing the new, in terms and of beliefs and emotions is the cornerstone of most healing systems.

My view is that consciously adopting the ideas in your article may have some impact, but to yield the potential change available will require deeper work, and there are many tools, modalities and healing systems to achieve this.

Thanks Derek, for sharing this utilitarian approach to beliefs. Personally, I am using something like this to judge them already.

However, is action really the target of belief or is it rather the feeling that results from the action? Do I want to give a great presentation or do I want to feel good, knowing I have improved my value in the job market?

Personally, my target goal is to feel as great as possible in the long run. To die happily after a life well lived.

This, however, requires more than just switching beliefs on and off. It requires long term vision and insight into the connections of feeling, action, contribution to long term well-being.

So, personally I'd suggest to expand the approach to adjust beliefs to your goals, but investigating deeply first, what it really is you want in life. Then observe clearly all that happens and make at least mental notes in order to evolve towards it, step by step.

One statement I consider dangerous is: "Don't care if something is true". It becomes dangerous if your belief concerns a subject that is measurable. Your belief can be disproved and thus weakened possibly in a bad moment.

While absolute truth evades all of us, due to limitations of our minds and its biases and filters, we still can discern information by its likelihood of being true or at least useful.

Yes, choose your belief freely in the areas where no one has ever provided proof or is likely to - such as: This is what god is.

And no, chose only beliefs that cannot be easily disproved by an experiment. Like "I believe I am great at running fast"... well, a stopwatch and 15s should be enough to prove you wrong, if your belief is untrue.

So, I completely agree that believing one knows "the truth" for sure is one of the worst things a human can do - in terms of fostering cooperation and dialogue. At the same time the sciences have approximated truths in many areas, and things that can be observed also lend a level of truthfulness, that should be considered when making up one's beliefs.

An alternative approach to assessing beliefs for their suitability is to check the risks you expose yourself to by believing them and the opportunities they open up. If you believe you are a great rock climber, but lack experience you can easily die. At the same time if you believe you can easily talk to women, you can overcome shyness and learn to improve. So do not only look at the actions that beliefs incite, but also at the risks and opportunities.

So, all in all, I like the approach you propose, Derek, and support its focus on utility and flexibility of beliefs. However, the focus on assessing the benefits of beliefs on the consequences they have now is too limited for my taste.

Yes, be flexible with your beliefs. But check beliefs on many levels before going for them (consistency with observations, risks etc.). They are very powerful tools and not easy to implement or abolish.

Hi Derek,

First off, you are an amazing writer, speaker, and all around awesome person!

It seems the beliefs stem from thoughts, and this is something I struggle with daily. Recently, I’ve completed two books that have had a huge impact on my life and how I approach life daily. From poverty to power, and think and grow rich. My daily struggle is in thought, easy conversation starters of saying something bad about someone because they are not living there life the way I think they should or they did something that made me laugh however it’s at there expensive. These thoughts though they seem minor have had an impact on my mental state, so now I wish them well, refocus on positive thoughts of love and kindness. This is not without its challenges, this is a daily routine of mine to wake up before my family, meditate and stretching while training my mind to think about love and happiness and being selfless.

How has this practice changed my life, for one the strangest thing happened, most interactions with strangers have been pleasant, thinking of them while engaging in the conversation has brought more joy to me. Once the conversation is over, I’m not dwelling on things I wish I would said, or if I said this, they might have said that… it’s as if I’ve been provided a nothing box and I’m able to appreciate life beauties by being present…

Sorry for the long tangent, it sounds like really good concepts that can really help people. It seems one’s own beliefs are hard because they are something that cause the most hurt to others… it looks like if people let their own beliefs go, and truly work towards becoming selfless, A bright new world would open up for everyone to discover that happiness could be obtained in one’s own lifetime.

YASS! Bring it, bring the book! Looking forward to it.

Your run post on the power of imagination was brilliant. I noticed ho I tend to read things and immediately think “oh my students need this” vs. when I study something which I clearly know is intended for my own reflection and growth. I lost track if your post because of the former, and so need to take it’s lesson on for my own focus on finishing my book for tenure. I loved the story by the way!! Deeply moving, simple (your motto if I could say so), and impactful. Thanks!! Love your useful and valuable blog posts and books.

Insightful metaphors and perspective. I'm struck by how individualistic they are, however. I wonder if the running tales wouldn't be more complete if it extended the tigerist runners with something like: "The tigerists discovered something odd and unexpected. They found a profound reassurance, comfort, support and wisdom in the other tigerists. Soon they'd meet up before their daily runs for some ritualized stretching and warm ups. Monthly they'd engage in trail maintenance and improvement for the entire community, tigerist runner and non-tigerish alike. Together they could move boulders and achieve things no individual could do alone.

Close, life-long friendships formed among the tigerists as well as multiple looser acquaintances. If a tigerist were to get sick or injured and he or she would find themselves with overwhelmed with casseroles. Tigerist thought moved beyond imagining running from tigers to include insight into pots of gold, running on the occasional coal and running for fun. The tigerists soon noticed that they ran faster under normal conditions and recovered faster from the inevitable bad weather and set backs. Soon others took notice of the tigerists running success and general equanimity. Some joined them. Others resented them. "Don't those tigerists know that there aren't tigers chasing after them? What fools!" When tigerists took notice of such challenges they would respond that of course they knew there were no literal tigers chasing them but that fear of tigers is rooted deep in human history and psychology. Life presents many metaphorical tigers. They noted that stories and rituals and communities that ponder tigers as well as other of life's challenges and opportunities helps make the journey more meaningful and fun as well as more likely to be outwardly, conventionally and materially successful as well as making such things less important.

I hate to belabor the metaphor and point but worry that a lot of inspirational writing today focuses too much on individual efforts and success. I wonder if there wouldn't be less loneliness, alienation and depression in the world if people aspired not just to run as fast as possible and win the race but to be good citizens working with their neighbors and engaging in shared rituals. I'm not sure today's digital nomads have neighbors.

And finally, I think that there's a lot of unappreciated value in the world's faith traditions (lost among the headlines of communal insanity.) Was the world created in 6 days? Of course not. Is there value to story and ritual and community and resting every 7th day and contemplating our imperfections and banishment from the garden of Eden? There may well be.

Yours on the running path,
Ben

Hi Derek,

My only thought was taking the right action at the time. The decision isn't perpetual or continuous. It's in the moment like the pot of gold, the tiger or the hot coals.

Best,
David

looking forward to the book....an easy audio version would be good.The previous aud one seemed to go back to beginning each time i went to listen.

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense.

I already noticed the difference beliefs make several times so far. But the two hard things for me are figuring out what beliefs are not working or perhaps even self-sabotaging and replacing them with better beliefs.

During school I believed I was bad in French and sports like running. Years later I had different results. Now I believe that learning languages with Duolingo is fun and having some conversations with people when traveling is enriching. And that I always feel better after a run. I guess back in school my beliefs were useful in the sense that they gave me a comfortable reason to not be good at these things.

It took me a while to become aware of it though and I'm not so sure how I changed these beliefs in retrospect.

Derek, I encourage you to hash these out further. imho "Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you" is an extra-ordinary dangeous one and will inevitably lead to atrocities like we have seen throughout human history.

Here is an article by a friend you might find useful:
http://www.towardsfreedom.com/iwrters/jacob/negative-preference-morality/

And a song to comfort you through the turbulence (clap and smile along):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci3TMqWfNLs

Much love brother,
markus

This reminds me of some of Richard Rorty's work and his definition of a 'strong poet' as "substitute Freedom for Truth as the goal of thinking and of social progress". Are you familiar with Rorty's work (his book Contingency, Irony and Solidarity is great). You remind me of a strong poet. This article title "DEATH AND PRAGMATISMS: RORTY AS STRONG POET" provides a good overview: formadevida.org/baconfdv20

Hello Derek - I think for me it’s semantics. My thought is that a belief is a core, fairly unmovable foundation. Like a religion, flat-earth or any other system of existing that is weighted to a singular belief. In the running metaphor - I see the ability to shift beliefs as the motivational world of self-talk. The key in that moment is that (for me) is that your core belief (that you can finish) is present. What you need to change (gold/tiger) is how your mind feels it needs to think in order to achieve the belief. Failing was and is not one of your options - your thought process is changing whether you are pushing towards the goal - or if the goal is pulling you. That’s it - all the best with the book.

Keep an open mind to everything ✨️
Everyone needs something or someone to believe in or what's the point.
Time changes us all.
Derek, I bet your beliefs have changed several times, mine certainly have.
Thought provoking as always.
Stay safe.. 👍

I very much enjoy your philosophy. I’ve used a similar approach to manipulate myself into doing the things I need. It’s been useful. For a while, after years of being late to everything, I decided I was the type of person who’s always early. That mitigated the “last minute” stuff which was contributing to my constant lateness.

Sorry Derek, this only makes it worse. Are you trying to force it perhaps?

I think I admitted last time I am not a runner so maybe that’s why this is making no sense whatsoever.

—ski

For a belief to be powerful enough to move you to action it needs to be truly believed. How can you choose new beliefs and make them true for yourself? Visualise something is easier than believing it eg the tiger or pot of gold.

Multiple beliefs also overlap in their emotional impact and action triggers. I believe running keeps me lean and healthy, too much running gives me bad knees, intermittent fasting also keeps me lean and healthy. I still eat chocolate and sometimes put on weight.

Awesome!

However, I’d imagine that there should be certain beliefs that you should never change.

There should be some Northstars of beliefs, that guide you. It might be more one’s values I’m thinking of and not a belief?? But to always change what you believe could may make you not believe in your own beliefs? :)

Thnx for sharing brotha!

T

I stand by my 3 word answer to your previous query.

Go with the flow. The current moves downstream so don't swim against it using another metaphor. I practice Transcendental Meditation and it is a natural process of using and expanding your consciousness. The interesting thing is many don't do it correctly and naturally because they try to force it.

I always enjoy your tidbits and this rings true currently. I think foe logic or rational to be more productive this is a great way to break down bigger objectives and maintain momentum.

I think if you, either lack direction or have strong emotional things to deal with, it can be tougher. That said, the same principle rings true - break things down into sizable chunks!

Derek, Love you work mate!

I liked the way you've outlined the ideas around beliefs. How you can let them go and adopt new ones. Try different ones on for size and different situations.

I feel there's a need/opportunity for beliefs to be based on a 'principle'.

Once I learn and understand the principle then I can take my beliefs in any direction, either making more or creating less.

Keep up the awesome work mate! I'd love to see a book on this 🙌😊

Totally agree. I keep a morning routine in which every day I write about my past day. And at that moment, I have the power to make it good or bad, depending on what I choose to believe. Thanks for sharing my friend!

I've found this to be a useful outlook on life. I've even adopted the phrase, "Empowering belief Vs Disempowering beliefs"

Who knows what true is? You can only really pick between beliefs that force you to become better and those that keep you stuck.

Seeing this distinction has made all the difference for me.

On a side note, I should use the running on coal belief to improve my form next time I run 😅

The one I currently use is the belief that I'm a primal hunter chasing an antelope to feed the village.

I got that after watching this documentary: youtu.be/826HMLoiE_o

We used to hunt by chasing animals to exhaustion and that must have been intense.

Hi Derek,

I’m all for understanding and adapting our motivations as necessary and I like what you’re doing here. Embrace what motivates you, but recognize it as YOUR motivator.

Perhaps it’s worth a bit more discussion on the “works FOR YOU” aspect, just for clarity. Especially when it comes to beliefs, we have to be careful not to ascribe them or project them onto others, i.e. to be careful to keep the resulting actions to my well-being. A reminder to respect the “works FOR YOU” part when someone does it differently, maybe?

You are 100% right that beliefs drive actions. That’s why they can be so wonderful or so dangerous. If I run as if there’s a tiger behind me, I need to remember that this is MY belief (and understand it may not be a truth) and not throw others out of the way for their “benefit.” I don’t want to belabor this because I understand what you’re getting at and love it. Just a little caveat to make sure everyone is on the same page. Write on!

I like this a lot. I used to say to friends some thing that make you feel better in life are like a sweater on a cool day. On the day and days like it putting on that sweater was just what you needed. Must we create and propagate a philosophy of wearing sweaters every single day in hopes to improve upon our lives? Rather we should identify the circumstances in which a sweater would help, and comparatively when we should wear more of less in order to achieve and maintain the desired feeling of comfort. Going without a sweater on a cool day my make you feel under the weather, however the sweater can not be a cure, yet prevention is better by the ounce than a pound of cure, my mother would say. Thanks Derek.
☺ — Derek

I think there is an even broader concept here.

Ironically, a friend and I were discussing this just yesterday.

In our discussion, we were wrestling with how we take (or leave) advice from books, coaches, or mentors.

Most of this content is delivered as a recipe. However, we all have different ingredients -- as humans living in a variety of circumstances.

So, the problem set, I believe 😉 is slightly broader: How do you apply advice, experience, and beliefs to get the best outcomes out of who you are?

Hi Derek ... true! Opps ...I mean correct ... but your very blog is a belief or set of beliefs ... at some point we have to believe it is a true and effective belief to follow. OK ... so you've posted something thought provoking again that will take some time to digest. We've consulted Readers Digest in the past now we have Derek's Digest! Peace! Peter

I like the concept, but there is an element where I shudder at the implications. In many ways this is healthy and harmless, but we live in a world where people are often choosing their own reality over objective fact. For example, to deny science is sometimes expedient to the politician, it can act as a justification for their actions and a motivating force for their voters. The problem is when other people see that story as objective fact. That scares me. I am all for finding healthy motivators and envisioning/testing ways of doing things, but there is a strong caveat hidden in the nuance of how we present those motivators to the world. What happens when we assume this concept applies to groups and not just individuals?

This is so true, Derek! Inside, I know it’s an effective tool to get things out of inertia but It’s so easy to allow circumstances to dictate my belief. I needed that nudge again this morning! Thank you!

Awesome post, super useful subject. But, I have this instantly objection, because I want to not believe, but know! I want to follow the principles of science and be the closest to reality. What are your thoughts about it?

Super useful! Makes me think of how flexible and fun-focused kids are with beliefs!

I’d love to hear more about how you catch yourself when you hold to a belief that isn’t useful and pivot to the new one when there’s momentum in a direction.

Also, do you think about how to be respectful around others as you live the experience that truth is relative?

Have you seen the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once? It’s a fascinating experience about not caring whether something is true 😄

Looking forward to hearing more from you on this!
Yes! My book “How to Live” is the “everything bagel” from that movie. ☺ — Derek

This is very much a physics play on inertia. The belief is the first force acting in a direction that could be a change or not, irrelevant to the inertia. Inertia is going to happen because you believe and you will move. The question you are asking is which direction do you want to move. That will be your belief, the first force.

So lovely.
Chris.

Hi Derek

I have just read both posts.
The first thing that came up to my mind is that these days I need to “double check” my goals before taking actions because some time the society tend to desire what others want or do. Share their “fictions”.
Despite of this, I liked very much the part you say that when we take our beliefs as true, they “ closes minds, cements identities, and leads to tribal fights”. I we do not believe in what we are doing, we won’t succeed.

Regards,
Lucia

Timing is everything, I was just laying in bed talking to my husband about this exact subject. How can I be so determined in one area of my life and so weak in another. How do I change my mindset to do things I know I need to do? More confusing is why I am sometimes so self sabotaging? How to weed out beliefs that help and those that limit?
Self sabotage or self preservation? How to pick the right motivation? These are questions I need answers to. Maybe a run in the forest will help.

Thank you

I like this because it challenges my way of thinking. Naturally I come up with opposing views, concerns about attempting to perceive reality as it is not as we want it to be, about our subjective efforts to ascertain objective truths with degrees of confidence rather than simply viewing reality as malleable to our whims.

I lean towards a bias of reality/truth over comfort - satfax.substack.com/p/truth-or-comfort - which on face value seems to be the opposite end of the stick here, but I see value in the mindset you’re proposing.

Might it be a case of both and? That at our foundation we should do our best to be in touch with reality, despite the impossibility of being objective, and layer on top of that useful beliefs used as tools for specific situations without needing to fully believe them to be true.

That’s probably what you’re saying here, that we should adopt mindsets that position us for the outcomes we want, not necessarily that all our foundational beliefs should be dictated by desirable outcomes with no reference to reality.

Either way, I enjoyed the nudge.
Great point. Thank you. — Derek

Hi Derek,

Thank you for the story and explanation. It builds on a quote and a question I came across. Hearing something in three different ways is SWEET! I’ll paraphrase what I remember:

Quote from Ray Dalio: Shift focus from right/wrong to effective/ineffective.

Question from James Clear: What story can you tell yourself to get through this challenge?

I am a cancer patient. After diagnosis it took me a few weeks to get my bearings and to settle on my inner dialogue. I decided I was going to write a story about cancer that was outside of our cultural narrative. I embraced love over fear and chose to build strong relationships with my doctors, nurses, techs, family, and friends as my coping strategy. Happy to say I’m nearly finished with treatment and have vanquished the invader! :)
Yeah. Adopting stories, or dropping stories, is an important aspect of this. Thank you. — Derek

“So choose whatever belief makes you take the action you want.”

Beliefs are very tricky things. Affirmations are modified by core beliefs. The ones that “run the show” are the buried beliefs usually formed in childhood as survival tools. You have to dig those up, cast aside the life limiting ones. I was a "lab rat" for a retired anesthesiologist who did research on discovering and shifting out of limiting core beliefs.

“Don’t over-focus on the usual goal. Take your eyes off the prize and look around.”
This is "don’t attach to outcome" and very, very useful.

Do you think you can make an Animation version of the book too ? :)

Yes. Good concept. We need motivation. What causes that drive changes.

This is really useful. I think it’d be even more so with either a qualification to the term (eg “pragmatic beliefs” or “working assumptions” or something like that) or further explanation that the “belief” you refer to differs from the more typical way (ideological, inflexible, core perceptions that become enmeshed with identity) the term is applied.

I found this insight tremendously helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share it

This reminds me of something my "Practical Criticism" instructor said in college: "Listen to your listening." By that he meant: Be aware of the presuppositions and biases you bring to the table when reading a book, but this awareness can be broadly applied to life in general. For instance, in another college course, we did "a feminist reading of..." We're reading things, and viewing life, from our unique perspectives and through our specific lenses. It's important to be aware of that. I'm by no means advising anyone to abandon their beliefs. Just be aware of how your beliefs affect your judgements, decisions and actions.

I love this, and especially how you broke it into the unanswered question, then deep thoughtful response. I look forward to your next book. Thanks for everything you do.

Hi Derek: thank you for the opportunity to read and weigh in on what I hope will be a forthcoming book or substantive piece of writing from you. The whole thing was great, but I got the most out of this takeaway: "Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you." I think that this is a decent candidate for the golden rule of how to live one's life. So many things, in terms of how we design our lives, the food we eat, the path we take, and the values that we exhibit, seem to be based on some kind of a societal truth. Not to get into conspiracy theories, but once you start to look more deeply into the roots of some of the beliefs that we think of as being "true," you discover the context is often not what you expected. As a result, prioritizing yourself, and leaning into things that work for you, regardless if they are viewed widely as "true" is the true acid test for efficacy and fulfilment. Why it took me fifty years to learn this, I'll never know!

“Fun is an under rated goal” is a so true.

In our quest to move forward, we forget to enjoy the journey.

There is truth waiting to be found. Belief is the driving force to find it and
make it work. What works may strengthen or weaken that belief. A lot of what was not true has become true because of belief. There are people who had the opportunity to influence the belief of many. Even making them believe that something works when it really doesn’t. I don’t have that
opportunity so I sacrifice my own belief to fit in the society I am in.

This world must be running into false belief. We all feel the symptoms: pain,
suffering and death.

I'd be interested in hearing what thoughts you have on opposite cases. For ex, It's hard for someone to believe that they're great at something (especially in cases when they really are). Is there a reverse routing? Taking an action in order to feel something to power a belief?

Thanks

Makes me wonder how practical it is to switch personal beliefs at will.

Doesn’t the real personal belief still lie deep down inside while we try to convince ourselves of the new belief we are trying to put on? Or is this where priming or programming or immersion method come in handy?

Genuinely curious & not asking out of contempt of the idea

LOVE this!

Choosing beliefs and leveraging them for certain desired outcomes is so much fun to consider and experiment with!

Have you found a process for ensuring certain beliefs don't slip past your awareness unaddressed? I use what I call The 5Ms (meditation, morning pages, movement, moments of inspired learning, and making something)-- which I wrote about in my book, BUOYANT.

I'm curious how you simultaneously stay on the balcony while on the dance floor.

Cannot wait for your next book!

xo

Great illustration of an important idea Derek. I’ve thought a lot about how not only different beliefs, but different interconnected networks of beliefs essentially determine each of our emotions, behaviors, and success in life. There’s a lot to say about this relationship, so it would make for a fantastic book topic.

I do feel that something big is missing from this philosophy as it stands. There was a time when I was all for adopting whatever feel-good beliefs worked for you. But when I started contemplating things like existential risk, I had to reconsider. I think the lack of critical thinking skills / unwillingness to prioritize objectivity over other pragmatic desires is basically the cause of all of humanity’s greatest problems and threats.

Today media is distorting people’s beliefs, propagating rampant conspiracies, and often even promoting dangerous actions more dramatically than ever before. You’re right that beliefs determine behaviors, and that’s why the wrong collective beliefs about the environment, pandemics, and even cosmology could have really dangerous consequences for humanity.

“The dangers of not thinking clearly are much greater now than ever before. It’s not that there’s something new in our way of thinking - it’s that credulous and confused thinking can be much more lethal in ways it was never before.” - Carl Sagan

I now encourage people to seek accurate beliefs first, subscribe to them in probabilities (never giving anything 100% certainty), and find a way to love and be motivated by those beliefs after. Build your identity around your willingness to change your beliefs in light of new evidence, not on any particular belief.

I used to be a Christian, and was convinced that this network of beliefs made me a better person and caused me to feel and act the way I wanted to, even if it wasn’t true. But since abandoning these beliefs in favor of a secular worldview, I have found that it was not too difficult to adapt my emotions and actions to fit my ideals, even though the beliefs were hard to swallow at first. I now compare abandoning faith to going to the gym for the first time - it’s intimidating and painful at first, but you will quickly grow strong enough to laugh at the fact that you were so hesitant (yes I realize this metaphor represents a kind of pragmatic belief in itself).

You’re really great at synthesizing wisdom of different forms, so I would love to see you integrate this pragmatism with a crucial regard for objective truth. I’ve written a lot about this for my readers, so feel free to reach out to discuss more.
Very good point. Thanks for taking the time to describe that well. — Derek

Cool. When I first read "a daily run" I thought it was just about how people can choose to take different directions in life (but where there isn't one right answer) but I didn't realize it was about explicitly choosing beliefs to inform actions. I think it'll be a pretty interesting book - I haven't thought/heard much about this topic so I'm looking forward to seeing what you put out.

I am a hero. I believe it and I always have.

In any given choice, it's important to me to live up to my own myth.

I do, routinely, choose other beliefs based on their utility... Whether teacher, student, yogi, athlete, artist, whatever.

I've even been known to put eyeblack on under my eyes like NFL players when engaging in competition with friends like tennis or bowling or Cornhole.
You might like the book “Alter Ego Effect” — Derek

hi Derek,

"Drop beliefs that aren’t helping you anymore. Ignore social pressure to be the way you used to be."

Not that easy to actually do. Have you come across The Work, Byron Katie? That is the most effective way I have found to question my beliefs and judgements.

look forward to the book
Thanks for that reminder. Just bought it. Great subject. — Derek

Belief is a powerful tool. Belief creates thoughts, which are energy that impose force on our reality, and breed action.

An interesting dissection of religion and how destructive it has become with one group forcing their beliefs on others and believing themselves to be righteous in doing so.

Life is SO nuanced! From a very young age we are taught what is right and wrong, good and bad, true and false. While growing up we start to realise that those norms and values can differ from person to person. They differ a lot, in fact. What’s true or not? Right or not? What Derek describes here perfectly paraphrases what I could never put into words. I would always practice a vast amount of advice from family, books, teachers,… trying to find the best way for me. But I never really dared to try a way of my own, because I’ve never seen anyone do it. And every time I met someone doing that one thing I never dared, I felt so surprised but also so relieved. So I decided to let go of my beliefs, the beliefs that limit me to follow my instinct; what’s best for me. Trust your gut, it’s the only truth you need. And fun is indeed a legitimate and underrated goal, thanks for the quote Derek.

This is a very interesting topic.

Personal goals and beliefs are something worth writing about and reading about .That’s my belief anyway. 🙂

Where it gets tricky, is when religious beliefs or political beliefs make one group of people take the wrong action (or prohibit them from taking the most loving, accepting action) which then can have serious (mostly negative) consequences for other people who are not part of that religion or political party. Examples in the US would be abortion rights, gay rights, and perhaps the rights of nature (which doesn’t have a voice).

My other, related thought is that there are people who use beliefs as a way to manipulate other people (again, religion and politics) which can then become really messed up when the belief is based on a lie (for example, the 2020 election was rigged, or climate change is a hoax). This is extremely detrimental to society (and our planet in the case of climate change - which, if you’re interested there were PR people hired by the fossil fuel industry to create doubt about climate change - and it worked). Meanwhile, never before in US history has any President caused his followers to doubt the legitimacy of the election. Where I live (sadly), there are many people who fly Trump flags or have “Fuck Biden” stickers on their pickup trucks. It’s dangerous and negative. Almost all of these folks carry guns too. This is what cause the January 6th riot at the US Capitol.

Anyway, perhaps this is off topic as it seems like you are focused on personal beliefs for personal goals.

Here’s how that played out for me.

My mother told me that I couldn’t play music and earn a living so I believed her and never tried. When you and I met, I tried a little. After that, I gave up essentially. The fact that I gave up on my dreams has literally haunted me for the past 25 years. Mostly I don’t think about it because it makes me sad. Sometimes I think about getting back into music, but I see all of the young people and realize that my time has passed as I approach 60.

I tell young people “Don’t give up on your dreams no matter what.”

I hope this is helpful. Feel free to use whatever I have written. You have my permission and I don’t expect anything if you use my stories or my ideas.

Best of luck to you Derek! I hope we meet again one day. 🙂🙏🏻🎹

I have learned a lot just by reading the thoughts for your next book. I like to differentiate the tangibles from the non-tangibles. Respectively separatethe spiritual things from the physical things.
EXAMPLES BEING:
Emotions - Spiritual
Actions - Physical
You should be able to read and perceive the two in this song I wrote a couple years ago
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
"Oh Yes I Do!"
Chorus:
Oh yes I do!
Oh yes I do!
I don't just want to say I do
I want to do for you
Oh yes I do!
Oh yes I do!
I don't just want to say I do
I always want to do for you
I always want to be there
Doing what I can for you
I don't just want to say I do
I - I want to do for you
1st
I can say that I love you
I can say it all day long
I can say that I love you
I can sing it in a song
But when the truth of love is known
It is said by what we do
I can say that I love you
When I've done all I've done for you
2nd
From the first time that I met you
To the first time we both kissed
We knew that we had something
Something we couldn't forget
Now since that day unto this day
I can still say I love you
I can still say yes I do
Because I still want to do for you

Tag:
Love does not just say I do
Love is what we do
Hal Gullick c2021

ANOTHER ONE:

"Make It Or Break It"
Chorus:
We can Make it or Break it
It's left up to you and me
We can Make it or Break it
Through Decisions we all agree
If we want to have a better life
And have a life that's full and free
We can Make it or Break it
It's left up to you and me
Hal Gullick c2022

Have you read any of David Reynolds' books, e.g. Constructive Living? I think you'd find it enjoyable and compatible with your philosophy, yet also disagreeing with the core of what you wrote here ;-)
Haven't, but it's on my queue now. Thanks. — Derek

There was a Jordan Peterson lecture where he mentioned that religious systems were more about how you should act rather than what you believe. The belief is what drives the action and those actions formed the culture. Science on the other hand would tell you what something is but not necessarily how to act with that information.
Yeah I like this perspective too. — Derek

2p.
In my own life I don't call this "beliefs", I call them coping strategies (or mechanisms). What I've seen over the years are a human "deficiency" as in exactly what you describe.: Every day calls for a new set of beliefs/coping.

However. Too many ppl get stuck with a small variety of these things or even a non-changing (non-challenged) version of how to manage life to their best. May be a lack of seeing/understanding these helpful life-hacks.

A lot of ppl lack the muster/bravery/ideas/ambition to attack each day and each new challenge/adventure with the best possible attitude-goals-beliefs-copingmechanisms they can imagine.

I never understood why a person would not want to climb Mount Cleverest in grasping Life...

I think that a book on this topic is going to do a lot of good.

There has to be a limit to choosing your beliefs. There are some truths that should not be contradicted just to create chaos and gain power. For Example: Qanon and statements such as "The 2020 election was stolen", and the denial of science.
I think this practice is more for personal development.

Your deep thinking shines through your words. I can tell you have read and thought and wrote about this subject deeply. I love the phrase "useful, not true".

Beliefs need to be fluid throughout life to be helpful. If our beliefs stay the same then we become stagnant.

You have lived many distinct chapters so what beliefs helped you the most in different phases of your life?

Looking forward to the rest of this story!

Hmmmm. I can't really find the practical applications for this 'belief ABOUT beliefs'
Every way I look at it.. I end up back at the old 'fake it till u make it' 90's esque mantra
As someone who stays up late and likes to start late .. no matter what belief I chose, to fit in with the early risers win (work ethic?) It did not change my behaviour.
Or our 19 yr old son who has built a mythology about his life being a failure in the future...with zero evidence to support this mental picture. Seemingly he cannot muster any 'belief' that motivates him to take action...now!
It's a fascinating subject which in this current context I cannot get beyond an interesting hypothesis about.
It may also end up as hyperbole...as it doesn't seem to relate to the person who 'just needs to pay their bills'..so to speak.
Is it simply about ones AMBITION.. that spurs people to take action towards those goals. And the picture of a better life that means people pick themselves back up after various knock downs. The ambition then is what may drive 'todays' belief that ...'I CAN DO THIS' or whatever it may be.
Picturing outcomes you want does seem to help...again ambition seems to be the driver. Everything else on this beliefs subject doesn't seem to correlate with better results in life.
Hmmmm. ML

This a fun and interesting idea. Probably a useful tool. But how will you address the obvious negative ramifications of a powerful statement like "Choose whatever belief makes you take the action you want"?

Your brief explanation gives examples of how a reasonably well-balanced person can use this powerful tool to achieve their goals. What about the person that "chooses" a belief to justify a truly horrible outcome (violence, mureder, political insurrection)? I'm sure you've thought of this. I'd love to know how you account for it.
Driving instructors have to assume that the people learning to drive are not going to use that car to intentionally slaughter a crowd of pedestrians. It would be inefficient and awful if everyone saying anything had to address the criminally insane. — Derek

Absolutely LOVE this, Derek. I just read Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte, so there’s a bit of recency bias as I write this, but the part that really resonated with me above was to choose beliefs based on how actionable they are *now*. It’s an incredibly helpful way of approaching your beliefs in any given moment when you’re constantly going back and forth and suffer from analysis paralysis (e.g. wanting to practice all 27 ways of living from How To Live). THANK YOU for being so generous and sharing your work. Can’t wait for the book!

Your writings about belief and emotion are interesting to me because you have come to the point where vulnerability matters. You cannot prove your beliefs. You’ve noticed how time with your son is your most precious time and community matters. My life experience has demonstrated to me my life is not about me. Therefore self promotion has no place. My cares are not about what people think, but rather how I might encourage those in my midst in all circumstances. I’m able to persevere even through the darkest times because because I know God is the with me and my life is lived for Him. Discard all the self help books because they only return you to the same conclusion: “Surely, there is more than this!” Solomon had everything one man could ask and, as the wisest person in the world, concluded in Ecclesiastes 2: 10-11 ..all was vanity and chasing after the wind… I accepted Jesus grace because I realized His grace is the
real discriminator among all belief systems. It’s not about your performance—you’re just right the way God made you! Now, I’m clear and I’m taking each day as it comes. I suspect you are one of my divine appointments today. For this reason, I can only encourage you to return toJesus. He’s been there all along, waiting to open your soul to His invitation.
Your belief is useful, not true. — Derek

The idea of temporarily adopting a belief could have huge impact. What if people felt safe stepping into another belief as a means of finding common ground and understanding “the other side”? How might difficult topics become more navigable? Many emotionally-charged and divisive subjects could benefit from honestly seeing things from another’s perspective. I can see that doing this may feel unsettling for some. Maybe even unsafe. But we always have the option to return to our original belief. (Also curious about how this might relate to Jungian “shadow work” and exploring one’s own “dark side”.)

There is only one everlasting truth. All the others are sub, truth or lies
Your belief (that there is only one truth) has been very useful to you, but it's not true. — Derek

This reminds me of the cognitive triangle, a concept used in counselling. A book explaining this would be useful to many.

Hi Derek
In Daily Run part one you are describing motivations which are not beliefs. Beliefs really don't change unless you make a real effort to change them. Motivations are based on emotions which change from day to day. That's the reason why a person should never make decisions based on emotions because they come and go.

In the West we decide things based on our head and in other parts of the world they do so with their body and how the gut reacts to something. If I had to pick between the two I choose my gut every time.
As usual your stuff is thought provoking and insightful and I so appreciate your words.

Derek :

I get the metaphor and dig it.

Not sure if this helps, but like a lot of things in life, we’ve got to earn it.

What helps me get through some strenuous expertise ia knowing that my wood burning sauna is crackling away, waiting for my return.

There’s nothing like a cold plunge and good sauna action after exercise.

And after a round or two, and water hydration, I may crack a beer or kombucha and kick back to settle in with my reward.

I’ve earned it. And it feels great.

Sauna in nature is bigger than all of us.

www.saunatimes.com/sauna-philosophy/sauna-in-nature-is-bigger-than-all-of-us/

Derek, thanks for this…beliefs are so important to the inner dialogue and what motivates us.

I think this is a very simple and powerful approach to influencing our own actions. Two questions floated in for me. First, how would we go about adopting new beliefs and convincing ourselves that there could be another truth. Then, if a belief isn’t a truth, what is it? A possible truth? An alternate truth? Nothing to do with truth at all? I would personally love your perspective on that… I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to believe something.

This idea does not deserve an entire book.
☺ — Derek

Actions can come from emotions, if logic is too slow to intervene. I always tell myself never to take action or make big decisions when emotional.

I have used daydreams (or created a belief) in order to stimulate an emotion to give me temporary motivation to achieve something. Like your running analogy. It would generally be to help me through something that is mundane or disciplined but necessary to achieve a goal.

I would never use that same fantasy for other decisive moments. In my experience these are often ego-based beliefs which serve a purpose but would be risky to base a life on. I think we can readily see the negative impact on the lives of people who become hooked on a belief.
Great point. See Eric Cook's comment, below. — Derek

Hi Derek,

Well said - put another way, there is the analogy of a rider and an elephant. The elephant is the emotion, the rider is the intentional mind.

Our emotions WILL take us where they will despite our intentions. We can harangue and harass but our emotions will take us like a rider on an elephant or the surfer on a wave.

The insertion of a belief tends to clear a path for the elephant, a path of least resistance, a path that requires no mind - it just is. Literature is full of these stories - the protagonist works off of values and beliefs, primacies against which their emotions and therefore actions can play out.

Again, yours is the distillation. Keep up the good work.
Yes! Exactly. Even if we swear we are letting logic decide our actions, it's likely to be confabulation (read this). Emotions are almost always in control. — Derek

Interesting. I'll read the other posts and apply some of this stuff to my mind and life.

How do evidence and reason fit into this?

If members of a group of people believed members of another group was unworthy of life and human rights, they might feel entitled to take their property and kill those other people.

This is generally considered anti-social in most human societies, and it's illegal under international and most domestic laws (unless you're endowed with state or government power, which gets abused often).

Please comment.

Tremendous questions from duncan. I’ve never really thought about this before so thank you for bringing it to my attention. I keep on returning to the malleability of it all. The natural procession of beliefs as one ages. Is this procession caused by internal or external factors? So is it more of a factor to fix oneself or their circumstances thus their beliefs will change? Also, the difference between core beliefs and ancillary beliefs. Do the principals hold true throughout? Just some thoughts. Love the sparse Hemingway-esque prose.

Totally agree on this. I tell myself I am below average at everything frequently to be sure I am working hard towards achieving whatever goal I have set.

Hi Derek,

I think what you're describing is the tendency of the brain's left-hemisphere to over-state and over-generalize something that's working for it. Check out the Oxford philosopher-psychiatrist-neuroscientist Iain McGilchrist.

His conversation with Peterson was a watershed moment in my understanding of reality.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zld-MX11lA

We have two hemispheres in our brain each creating their own reality. But the right hemisphere's reality is more complete. It's the "beliefs are a means to improve actions" perspective.

Kind regards,
David
Thanks for the tip. — Derek

Excellent idea
What we believe is also biased(experiences, biases imbibed by society) , as you rightly pointed out, these are nuances of life
What is truth(again it is contextual, relative) and is perspectiable
Which means everything has to be dismantled after a certain period of time and this is against human nature of finding certainty.
The only thing, one has to be open to is to take action to validate the belief that propelled to take action and again this will significantly differ after certain time frame.

Makes sense to me, but I've been saying for ages, “I"ll see it when I believe it." Flipping the familiar quote.
Nice quip! — Derek

How do you use this to run with others - one or more? Which can be fun too.

How do you remove beliefs- like briars they get stuck on and are fiendish to get off . Are they beliefs or something else ?

I think this is useful, but only to a point Derek. And that point is important. It worries me when this "believe what works for you" idea is taken too far. It's akin to "you create your own reality" ideas from the 80s and even earlier.
That "power of positive thinking" stuff really IS very powerful and can be useful. BUT. Reality is reality, it's not all subjective. It's not all in our heads, even though the filters are so distorting, even though we cannot understand so much.
Yes, as you responded to a person with similar concerns, a person can walk over hot coals by imagining the coals are cool moss. This has been documented again and again. No idea how that works with the physics of the matter, but I also have no doubt people can really do this, and that the image of the cool moss is how they do it. I also have no doubt that there is a reality-based explanation for it, even if we haven't found it yet. But the coals are still hot coals. They are not cool moss. A person cannot stand on the hot coals indefinitely without being burned. Because external reality still exists.
Agreed. Ultimately our actions matter most. Actions are physical reality. But so few of our necessary actions, besides eating and exercise, are pure physics. Most actions involve other people who are also led by emotions. So “taking action” often means communicating with someone or learning something, back in the realm of psychology. — Derek

It takes so much self awareness and mental flexibility (is it a thing?) to be able to choose your own beliefs. And also the biggest desire to keep life fun.

Derek, You hit the nail on the head for me. In order to overcome a challenge, asking myself what belief would work for me in the long run really helps me in finding my own way. And not be so swayed by others beliefs and opinions. And I can still let other people's beliefs be what they are, and even see them as valid for them for the time being. This really opens minds. Thank you!

Thanks, Derek. It's been a rough week for me and that's in large part due to the beliefs I've held throughout, making things worse than they need to be. Your post compelled to do a quick reflection to take inventory of the current beliefs that have been making my life so challenging (it was sad and revealing to see them listed out). Then, I created a new list of the beliefs I WANT to hold. For the most part, they were the opposite of whatever beliefs have been kicking my ass.

I was not expecting to do this little exercise this morning, but it was immensely helpful. Grateful for your perspective and your dedication to sharing via writing. Best, Dane
☺ — Derek

Sounds like your next book would be the perfect sequel to Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.

Your premise is true. Angela, a character in one of my books, puts it succinctly. “A thought can kill the spirit as sure as a bullet can kill the body.” Inversion 1 - Looking Through Mirrors

She has lived on both sides of this equation and wears the scars to prove it.

Love this. The whole first section of my book I wrote this last year is on mindset, and emotions and beliefs play a huge part in it. Can’t wait to see what you write on the subject!

The biggest takeaway for me has been the knowledge that we have control over our emotions, and can use them to help us get the outcomes we want in our life, both in the moment and over the long term

This approach is a brilliant persons way. In the hands of someone with a good intellect, analysis and experience, it could really do wonders. In the wrong hands, it could really be a catastrophe.

The one good feature for this paradox is, if you can understand the concept you are more likely to be a part of the former group rather than the latter.

Hi Derek,

I love your personal touch. Would never have answered to a newsletter otherwise, but here I go.

The idea is great. It reminds me of the book Scott Adams is currently writing, about re-framing. Different formulation, similar idea: how you frame a subject determines how you feel/act about it.

Your suggestion that one can 'choose a belief' as one would wear a hat (viz. Edward de Bono's "Thinking Hats") is inspiring. I can imagine being in a mood where I could play with my beliefs.

In my daily work I am a psychiatrist, and I try to help people who are stuck in their beliefs, ie. who cannot 'play' with their beliefs. What are your thoughts about helping people who are, for example, deeply depressed or anxious?

Regards,

Simon
Good tip and question. Thanks. — Derek

I love this way of being. It’s a wonderful feeling to adjust my beliefs. It keeps me flexible and able to adjust quickly

Like your stuff a lot.

Hey Derek,

This is a good idea. There’s a book called “Useful Belief” by Chris Helder. It bears similar sentiments to what you’re explaining here.

One quote from this book: “Truth is irrelevant. Because once I have a useful belief about the present, I will see the opportunities that we need to capitalise on right now.'”

— Useful Belief: Because it's Better than Positive Thinking by Chris Helder
a.co/hFBF1t6


As David mentioned above, I’m not sure the running metaphor really hits it for me.
Just bought it. Thanks. — Derek

This frame is a familiar one for life coaches and CBT therapists. It’s used to see patterns and break down what’s happening in our lives more clearly. Brooke Castillo has literally made hundreds of millions of dollars teaching this frame to her students. I’m not 100% a fan of hers, but the self-coaching principles of circumstances, thoughts, feelings, actions, and results are useful. I personally like Byron Katie’s “The Work” better.

I tend to take a more objective view. I generally think that beliefs get in the way of quantifiable goals. Beliefs (like emotions) change constantly based on lots of things in our control, but also things outside of our control (maybe if I meditated more…), so for me-on the things I want to improve on I do my best to keep detailed logs of my practice so that I can objectively see what does and doesn’t work over time (and indeed those strategies do change over time). Great post!

The expression "doing well by doing good" comes to mind. Often the best way to improve ourselves is by serving others. So, right now I have a bountiful harvest of grapes. More than we need. So we are picking them and giving them to friends, neighbors, and family. It took a lot of work to grow and protect these grapes from predators, but they are much better than ones in the store. Now we can share them and express our deep love and appreciation for others.

That's a great photo of the forest path. We have a lot of those around here, but I would not want to run barefoot through the blackberry vines!
I didn't address that in this post, but in the story, I meant to show that “others will appreciate my service” is also just a belief. Useful to belief, but not necessarily true. — Derek

First off, the concept is a meaty one for a book, and I'm excited to see what you can do with it. It's kind of parallel to a concept in my last book, "Radical Rebirth," in which I explore how to re-create yourself. (To the extent of killing off the parts of you that you dislike or even hate.)

The danger/opportunity for you here is to navigate through the reality that for many people, they are so programmed with self-sabotage, limiting beliefs - money is bad, successful people have to be bad parents, rich people are evil, etc. - that intuition and"trusting their gut" can actually be harmful for them. For many, this will mean doing the work of discovering what their core foundational beliefs in the big areas (love, money, religion, etc.) are, and whether those beliefs serve them. More importantly, have they developed the necessary objectivity and self-awareness to make decisions that are helpful, not harmful to themselves. There are so many millions of negative mind viruses floating around, this is becoming harder and harder for the average person. But as I said, very intrigued to see where you might go with this! - RG
Great subject, too! I’ve been thinking of that rebirth subject a lot lately. I think I’ll keep it out of this book, though. — Derek

What you’re saying is partly true but you’re actually mostly talking at only one level of systems thinking with the brain.

Have you read psycho Cybernetics it’s all about the way we’ve learned to talk about the way the mind works.

Your analogy mostly describes the first way of thinking about humans being goal seeking machines. But we’re more complex than that because we’re also very self referential. So the experience we have of ourselves matters beyond a goal.

If I tell myself money will make me happy and I work towards that. Even if I realize my error my system will hold onto that belief.

Our thinking matters beyond our goals. So you’re talking about a certain level of flexibility but you’re acting like that flexibility is something that’s easy to choose but it actually isn’t. Beliefs aren’t so easy to change out.

So for it to be clearer for me it would need to include more of an understanding of how to create that flexibility of the mind.

At an even deeper level the runner is having an experience of running and that matters. It’s not just the running but the experience of running that matters and yet this is hidden in your metaphor.

You could skip it. It would be practical but the world probably doesn’t need more books on being a good runner but it does need more books on flexibility of the mind and the experience of running. Basically more ontological less practical.

You’ll likely sell less books and be less popular but to me I be of your gifts is your flexibility of thinking. Teach us that. Even if it’s harder to explain.

So less about running and more about the experience of running. Less about tigers and gold more about the ability of the mind to interchange the two.

This is as useful as it is dangerous.

Yes, changing what you believe may lead to action, but this says nothing about results, and the aftermath of such results.

A lot of the self-help industry relies on hiding second and third order consequences.

I make video games, and mi industry is plagued by people that make games by leaving their jobs and consuming all their savings in 5-year development nightmares because they ‘believe’ in their games. After being in zero and eating ramen, living off their partners and so on, they release their game to radio silence.

They ignore that the entertainment industry is a winners take all market, which is a truth you have to develop around if you want to stay long term in this.

What I mean by this is that changing our beliefs will not change the underlying probability distribution of the world, it will just give you permission to act, which might be ok, but can also be a disaster.

So, bad advice in this case, Derek. Please don’t base your next book in such a messed up self-helpy concept. Mix it with a bit of probability and science to make it a useful one.
Good point. See “Valuable to others, or only you?” — Derek

Is it possible to play with our beliefs and adopt new ones just for fun?

You have to "believe" your belief if you want to create the target emotion.

How can you change your beliefs if your life experience has proven them to be right?
Here are some questions to answer in your book.

Derek, beliefs are perceptions both in the moment and over time. We observe through our senses and our instincts with both internal and external inputs. What we do with these beliefs drive our life. Influences come from multiple sources and depending on where one is in life, he/she will be affected by those influences. From First Principles to Second Order Effects, our beliefs are shaped. Are beliefs the foundation of our "Why?" or purpose? This is the big question and shaping them on purpose is our reason for being.

This reminds me of the story of fish not realizing they're in water. It applies to everyone but it’s rarely discussed.

It’s a hack in our system that we are so flexible that we can change our beliefs to change our actions. Humans are so moldeable but the problem isn’t when we are molding ourselves like you are meantioning it’s when third parties mold us unbeknownst to us.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, Derek. Your insights have been delightful over the years, and I have benefited from your wisdom as I make the transition from running a theater company for twenty-five years to writing plays (and ideally getting them produced & published). I'm learning first-hand that carving out an entirely new career is challenging, and thus the beliefs>emotions>actions paradigm is very helpful as I try to navigate my new pathway. Thank you again, and all the best to you.

I loved this.

Keep them coming.

I personally resonate with declaring beliefs to be true and how it closes off options.

I also like the beliefs adoption ideology.

These are thoughts that came up Derek...

Go deeper on how you make beliefs stick, or what will make the Beliefs more likely to become....a Belief? (???-->Beliefs-->Emotions-->Actions. Do we need to be good at imagery to change our beliefs, or can it be done other ways. Is there science on this?

We need something to move towards and away from to reach our goals. Jordan Peterson and Tony Robbins are two popular speakers I've heard advocating this.

I love the distinction between "true" and "useful", and the permission to give yourself flexibility in choosing what beliefs are most useful for you NOW...since NOW is the only time that is...."true". Ha.

Thanks for the thought-provoking and CONCISE posts!

Hi Derek
Deep
I am thinking about

they are deep thoughts

Luis

This came at a really good time for me. Thank you for the perspective.

Do you think this belief selection framework applies only to personal, performance-based goals? Or can it also be used for cultivating better social skills and interpersonal relationships? The critical part of my brain can't help but imagine other people thinking you're totally delusional (or worse, maliciously manipulative) if they notice a gap between your actions/beliefs and your "true" abilities or personality. Hope that makes sense.
Now that I think about it, maybe you just add "I am honest" to your beliefs when interacting with people. I think my criticism is that swapping your beliefs is a useful type of lying. When that's all internal and done for personal development it's obviously practical, but I feel like there are different rules once you involve other people.

Thoughts?
GREAT point. Thank you. — Derek

Hi Derek,
This sounds like an excellent read and really resonates with me. I retired (only use this word for simplicity) earlier this year and have spent the last many months working on my mindset to change my beliefs. I am not retiring but transitioning to a different role. My beliefs have made this harder than it should have. I am transitioning to a meaningful, impactful phase in life involving volunteering and service to others and mentoring where possible.

I’m still a work in progress and look forward to reading your book. I feel the subject applies to my age group but also the millennials who fight their beliefs without knowing they are forcing them to live a life they don’t want.

Good luck with the book, I will watch for it.

Scott Kieland

«Without dreams things stay the same,
without action dreams remain»
(Lyrics from “Dreams Remain” on the album “I Am Listening” by the band OLOVE)

I believe humans are a social and lazy (use less energy) species so most people are driven to act based on being accepted by a group. They don't develop their own belief system. They believe what the group believes and act on what will keep them in the group. Most people won't abandon or question their beliefs. The emotion is fear of abandonment. If you can change your beliefs to change your behaviors it's kinda like never being loyal to anyone or anything, including yourself. It's not taking yourself so seriously. It's being able to adapt. You're elastic. I believe this is a superpower.
☺ Thank you. — Derek

So many of us hold BELIEFS to be so sacrosanct. But aren’t beliefs just hardened thoughts.

Therefore, yes, adopt beliefs that improve your actions. Hopefully, you’ll also take interest in serving those around you, and not just yourself.
Hardened! Good adjective. Thank you. — Derek

This is pure gold, thank you for sharing. I'll read it again several times to let it sink and can't wait for the book. You've really got something, congratulations.

Derek! Great post and that picture - wow!

Beliefs are so key and important and as a musician yourself you know the countless stories of self sabotage - and conversely maybe those people who "aren't the best" but somehow success and opportunities just easily find them!

Beliefs are huge but I also think bigger than beliefs is "identity" and if your identity (consciously and subconsciously) matches up with your goals and who you want to be ... to even things like if your identity believes your worthy of those things.

Check out the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza ("Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself") if you haven't already. I spent a week at one of his week long retreats this year.

Mind blown.

Benjamin.

Shifting beliefs people are excruciating.

Just play different types of music to fit your mood and don’t think too much about it.

Hey Derek, love this metaphor & it makes a lot of sense.

The only question I have is how to execute on this mental model? What's the process behind examining if an action is even worth taking/ improving.

Because sometimes we get blindsided and pigeonholed by our own worldviews, we could easily optimize the 'usefulness' of something when it's not even worth optimizing for in the first place.

Thanks for the great idea and can't wait for the new book!! :)

Best,
Andy

Great insight. I feel like this is maybe another framing of the whole affirmations/positive mental outlook/the secret/law of attraction idea.

You must believe something is true for you before it is true.

Like “I own a mansion and a yacht and I have tons of beautiful friends.”

Though in your world it might be, “I own a very small little cabin completely isolated from the world and yet it has a T1 internet connection and I can stay connected with all my beautiful friends around the world.” ;-)
This is the opposite of the “law of attraction”. This is about taking action. — Derek

I'm afraid I'm having trouble with this. Beliefs are by definition things that I believe, things I *know* to be true. I couldn't change them from week to week. Maybe it's a semantics problem, but I'm just one of those too literal-minded types for this to work for me.
Good reminder. Thank you. — Derek

Hi Derek, I think you're correct here that utility isn't everything but it's a requirement to a good belief structure. If it was a multiplicative formula and utility is at zero then the whole system is a zero right?

Related to this I've noticed in myself and others that it's easy to get the order backwards. Mapping a belief system onto current actions after the fact.

It seems like most have a belief system that near perfectly matches their actions, what a crazy coincidence!

How do I recognize and avoid that trap?

Couple recent examples I've experienced: an obese man telling me he wouldn't allow a natural gas stove in his house because of the health dangers he's heard of. Or as a millennial I know several #vanlife #tinyhome folks but the thing they have in common is low incomes and poor career prospects, so its obvious from the outside the vanlife chose them not the other way around. Basically people who can't perform something telling a story why they they never wanted to perform it anyway. The nerd thinking weights are for dumb jocks syndrome.

Thanks for your writing. Helps me improve my own rants greatly. I've got a way to go yet.
GREAT point! Thank you. I’ll make sure to address this. — Derek

I've gone back and forth on this idea - there's pure Truth-seeking on one side of the spectrum, then pure Utility on the other side. One belief or action may be extremely helpful for someone (completely lie about their product's effectiveness so they can make $) but it is completely false.

Pure Truth-seeking seemed virtuous and I was trying to prove that we should always strive for that, but then realized that my goal was action, not to JUST discover Truth or talk about academically smart things that have no real utility in the real world.

I currently am wondering where on the spectrum is 'best' to be. If I am too focused on utility but ignore Truth, that can't be good. But if I am too focused on Truth and ignore utility (likely not knowingly), then I will miss out on the action and change I could make in my life (like being obsessed with tigerism because 'science' proved it, but not improving my running time because I ignore the utility of the pot of gold belief.)

Other concept related to this is Universal truths vs. Individual/Personalized truths. Perhaps the personalized truths are analogous to the pot of gold belief being 'true' because I am having financial problems? I feel there is still validity for seeking 'truth' and not ONLY 'whatever works' - it doesn't make for as impactful writing since it isn't an absolute directive for readers, but I feel there's definitely nuance here. I also know that you write to give a unique counter-point take on things, so even if not fully 100% true, it is helpful to write with strong opinions to get readers to think and challenge our minds.

Hi Derek,

Love the post and the philosophy - thanks for sharing.

This is similar to the functional contextualist philosophy that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is built upon.

Basically, the idea in ACT is to let go of truth with a capital "T", and instead choose a definition of truth that best helps the client achieve their goals in therapy - so very similar to what you've expressed here.

Would love to see a book from you on this topic!

Best,
Niall
Thanks for the tip. — Derek

#2
"???-->Beliefs-->Emotions-->Actions"

This framework is interesting, curious if you have a challenge or critique on how I think it works, as a circle.

Beliefs-->Emotions-->Actions-->Outcomes-->Judgment/Interpretation of Outcomes-->Beliefs...

When I observe someone who is experiencing bad outcomes (in my world of trading, this is seeing people lose $/blow-up), I go back to their Beliefs and I see the issue - it's a wrong (IMO) incorrect belief, and they GOT that belief because of a bad judgment/interpretation of an outcome.

(Ex. "I am NEVER trading XYZ strategy again because I blew up last time!" In reality, the strategy isn't the problem, it's something more nuanced. Or perhaps "I am NEVER talking to X type of person again, last time this bad thing happened to me!" comes from a bad outcome with that person, but that was only n=1, one sample size. We can't solidify beliefs based on one single experience, the world is incredibly diverse but it is common we rush to judgments after one singular experience. Common tendency to overgeneralize things to convince ourselves we have the answer, I think)

Insightful post Derek. The chain reaction caused by beliefs giving rise to emotions leading to actions is stronger than ever. Unfortunately social media, populists, and filter bubbles can harness this power at scale and undermine logic and science. One only needs to look at 2020 election deniers in the US or the rise of conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers.

Love it! Right now, anyway. :-)

It brings to mind the ideas put forth, largely by William Powers and William Glasser, that a Total Behavior consists of four components: Action, Thinking, Feeling, and Physiology.

I’ll go ahead and risk misexplaining it. In this model, used clinically more often by Glasser, every behavior we exhibit is made up of those inextricably linked four components.
This differs a bit from a cause and effect model where thoughts cause an action, say, or emotions cause thoughts or thoughts cause emotions. Glasser has stated that they occur simultaneously.

Actions and thoughts are two components most people find easiest to directly control. When we change one component, the others often change as well; this looks like cause and effect. But is also why, imo, there are competing models disagreeing over which component to change; over which causes what and what causes which.

One can change one’s total behavior by changing any of those four components. We do it all the time, to alter what we perceive as the world around us. Our attempt to make that perceived world look more like the need-satisfying, all-we-want world in our heads.

Everything we do is our best attempt at the time to get our needs met by controlling our perceptions. That might be a direct quote. I can’t remember.

One of the most intriguing parts of that to me, when I was learning about Glasser’s clinical applications of Powers’ Perceptual Control Theory, years ago, was the opportunity to turn nouns into verbs. Instead of saying I have pain, we can say I’m hurting. Instead of “I have a headache”, “I’m headaching”.

This comment has grown too long. Thanks for the airtime!

Brilliant. I love how beliefs are a Utility — but is that for all beliefs or are some more “useful” if they’re just Beliefs?

I'm an independent artist from Nigeria I have a chart bursting album to be released to the world. I'm looking for a promotion agent to partner with me now .

I love this! I recently converted to Christianity and it has helped my mental health to believe I am loved unconditionally by Jesus. My depression and suicidal ideation is poof gone. I feel joy again and hope and inspiration and creativity. I love to believe in something bigger than me and to surrender myself to that power. The story and miracle of Jesus are beliefs that have finally helped me move on with my life. People think of really big things like curing cancer can be miraculous which it is, but just a change of perspective can also be miraculous. Thinking or believing differently can change the course of your life. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, does it help you live life differently? Yes. Then that’s all that matters!

Love this example. Thanks for posting it. Religions are not true, but they are powerfully useful for both mental health and good actions. — Derek

Hi Derek,
Your ideas are always right on point,"food for thought," and I thank you for stimulating my mind.
You are blessed and a God send whether you believe it or not, and that's the point of your comments.

Thank you for caring,
Earnest

This is just an example of a strategy of the type of "one fits all" mechanistic thinking. Corona showed us that such thinking cannot work in GENERAL. As long as we're still unique humans and not transhumans that lack this special property there will never be a recipe with sucess guarantee for everyone.

Love it! Recently getting into acting, and this fascination with the essential experiences and beliefs that make up different characters is a big part of the reason I fell in love with it!

Thanks for sharing as always Derek.

100% Derek! This is the reason I wouldn't get vaccinated or ever get a flu shot. It has cost me relationships, and could have cost me my job. I have focused so much on my health the last 10 years. No regrets on doing what was right for me.

Great stuff Derek, and I can't wait to read your book already.

What you have written is already changing my thoughts and actions right now.

However, considering the rate at which you work, this book will probably be released in two or even three years.

I'm not complaining, because that's how you are able to produce such high-quality work because it's a true labor of love for you. But there's nothing I can do right now with this news except wait.

Knowing you, you might even decide to drop this entire project altogether tomorrow.

Tell me when it happens! :p

sive.rs/futuretense
sive.rs/buyable

Very interesting perspective on truth. Tribalism is so rampant in the health and nutrition world, that nuance has gone out the window completely.

“Life is nuanced”

Great piece Derek thankyou

I think I disagree with the message of this post fiercely.

Beliefs are our best guesses as to what the world is actually like.

They aren't like clothing to be put on for comfort (analogy taken from Sam Harris).

They drive behaviour but I don't think we should seriously pick and choose beliefs that we think would drive optimal behaviour. Thinking that those beliefs would drive optimal behaviour and what constitutes optimal behaviour, and even that optimal behaviour is important in the first place are ultimately just more beliefs.

Pretending that there is a tiger behind you, or that there is a pot of gold at the end of the run might be a useful mental exercise but I think that the person honest-to-goodness doesn't really believe it.

I actually think it might not be the best way in any case. Do you have good reasons to run? If so, then I think getting in touch with those reasons is enough. There shouldn't be a need to fabricate fictitious reasons. If the reasons for running aren't that motivating, they aren't that compelling when you think about them clearly, then honestly better not to run?

I think I hard disagree with the core: Beliefs are a means to improve actions.

Beliefs should be our honest best guess of the way things are and they should be forever open to revision as we learn more about the world.

I also don't think that disagreement *needs* to lead to conflict even if in practice it tends to. I think we can develop better norms for communicating across the aisle to those that have different views and making progress on both ends.
See my next post called “make believe”. — Derek

Love this. I've often thought: what belief could I fully buy into so that I get the action I want. But then if you *fully* buy into a belief enough to make it real enough to create action, is that truth? And if that is a truth, then why only for you but not for society so that it is better? But what if there is not only truth, but instead actually Truth (capital T)? What if instead of 'true for you' and 'true for me' there is objectivity as was the norm prior to our pluralistic society? What if indeed there is a governing Truth that leads us forward in service of others, love, sacrifice, joy, and more? What if that Truth restricts us from deciding what a 'good' action is and instead informs what is a good action is? What if the True and Good are are objective and not subjective? Could there be freedom in having boundaries prescribed for us, for the greater of human flourishing?

Very interesting concept. I wonder if in order to adopt a certain belief (say because it’s useful), we need to believe it is true. Otherwise it won’t drive the emotions to drive the actions you want.

In otero words, how do we “trick” ourselves into adopting a new belief?
Yes! I suspect this, too. Not kids but grownups only believe things they feel are proven to be true. — Derek

Hi Derek,
You are correct as usual. However, I may have found a way to screw this all up. My whole life has been a model of “giving up”. Another explanation would be doer of many, master of none. I play drums, guitar, bass. But when it goes beyond basics I give up. When I record music, I will hit the record button. But when it’s time to start learning the technical side (mixing, phasing, etc) I give up. So any kind of “pot of gold”, “tiger chasing”, fill in the blank thinking never seems to work for me. I’ve never been happy with this situation , but I’m always willing to accept it. I guess I have learned to be happy being mediocre.

So, our thoughts have emotions tied to them and emotions seem to fuel or provide the fuel for, at least, our actions.

The suggestion seems to be that changing our thoughts about something, even randomly, can essentially lay down new beliefs, in which case, such new beliefs generate a different stream of thoughts coupled with the potential to experience new or different emotions linked with those new thoughts.

In this case, it seems to change our thoughts can both lay down new beliefs and generate a different emotional stream of energy. That would indicate that changing our thinking, or our thoughts if you like, has the potential to lay down new beliefs. That ties belief to thoughts, or ties a stream of thoughts, if you like, to underlying beliefs.

One might ask, what laid down the original beliefs ... or ... "what makes beliefs?". It does seem that our thoughts stream forth from our beliefs.

Perhaps one then might ask, where are our beliefs coded ... and can that coding be changed?

Re:" That ties belief to thoughts, or ties a stream of thoughts, if you like, to underlying beliefs."

Going to rephrase that to:

That ties belief to thoughts, and at the same time, ties a stream of thoughts, if you like, to underlying beliefs.

:-)

Nice subject to be fascinated with, and surely a great topic for a book.

Curiously enough, lately I am wondering a lot about this, too – gotta love synchronicities! :)

I'll throw a few questions in for everyone (just some food for thought):

How do you know what you believe is true? Like, how do you even know for certain gravity exists, besides what you perceive and/or what science tells?

Also, does it really matter if you can't prove (i.e. know for certain) something you (want/choose to) believe in?

Lastly, I'd just like to check real quick if basic HTML or _MarkDown_ is allowed 🤓️🤣️

Hi Derek

One my beliefs. when I am in a battle I think in one of the special person in my life ( Winston Churchill, John Maxwell, Alberto Fernandez )and I say “if he could I can”


Luis
Nice! My guitar teacher taught me that when I was 14. “If one human can do it, so can another. You can do it if you work hard.” — Derek

I agree that beliefs can be useful- even if we know they are not true
But it is important to REMEMBER that they are not true
Else we fall into delusion
Which creates a whole different set of issues
So it is useful to take this concept- but not too far

"Beliefs make emotions. Emotions make actions." - Derek Sivers

OK ... What makes beliefs?

What has laid down our beliefs, in other words, which are there to help structure things, it seems, when we don't know something about something, someone, or ourselves?

Great insights here. This is a fantastic premise for a book that I think would be eye-opening and helpful to many.

Hi,

you might like to look at the work of Brooke Castillo - The Model in particular


thelifecoachschool.com/self-coaching-model-guide/


It is a method to put in the practice the concept you are talking about here.



K
Thank you. — Derek

"I am bad at this."

"I am great at this."

Each a statement, or a belief?

It would seem such statements are simply just that, just statements, not beliefs, per se, until such time as each is accepted as true.

On the other hand, if you are telling yourself that, is that laying down a belief, i.e., if what's stated is accepted as true, and thus structuring what will be experienced, as a result?

A belief, tied to either statement or thought, only becomes a belief that structures things for you, it seems, though, if the statement is accepted as true.

So you might say that it doesn't matter if the statement is true or not if the choice is to utilize the effects of believing such a statement to be the case, in order to further the desired goal or generate the energy for the desired action that engaging the thought is intended to achieve ... if there's an intention behind making such a statement.

What does matter, however, is that the statement must be believed to be true, in order for a belief to result. In order for the statement to be or become a belief and not just a statement, i.e, about something or someone, the statement has to be accepted as true, in a situation where there is otherwise an unknown.

Beliefs, it seems, are what we use to structure things when something is otherwise unknown; in the face of the unknown, it seems, our beliefs are what we've accepted as true, in that case.

Using "I am" statements, are those in effect laying down beliefs about ourselves? Beliefs from which will stream forth a stream of related, or belief-inspired, if you like, thoughts; each such thought having coupled with it, a corresponding emotion?

So, "what makes a belief?" but a thought that is accepted as true, it seems.

"I am" statements, in that case, if believed ... quite an effect follows.

On the other hand, our beliefs, how well do we ever examine those?

The pot of gold, the hot coals, the tiger in pursuit, motivating?

Perhaps motivating to the degree, for a time, accepted as true?

Moral of the story, thoughts can become beliefs.

And what makes beliefs but thoughts we accept ...

... as true.

Better to know ... than have to rely on beliefs?

In the face of the unknown, however, do we use beliefs to structure our experiences? Beliefs, in that case, required?

One problem ... the greatest fear being the fear of the unknown?

Which leads to adopting fear-inspired beliefs?

... yikes, Yikes, YIKES! ;-)

Love this. My 2-year old is adept at this: adopting the belief that works for her in her situation. I on the other hand take a long time to become aware of an entrenched belief that no longer serves.

Curious about the practical outworking of this as a daily practice. energy management implications. We have heuristics for a reason. Is there some kind of threshold below which it is better to just stay with existing beliefs? You could call this a “pragmatic” approach.

Derek,

"The Giant Within"

... us, our self; whose energies get structured by beliefs? ;-)

... the one soul, the one mind; with many faces?

... what's structured, being encoded?

... coded, like in the seed?

... that gets sparked on?

... becomes the tree?

... change the code?

... oak to fir?

Cam

Reminds me Bret Weinsteins “literally false, but metaphorically true”. Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson debated for hours on how to define truth (albeit within a discussion of religion, but) two useful examples come to mind.

It is almost always best to believe that a porcupine can shoot its quills (they cant) so you stay further away. Similarly, even if you’ve checked a million times, the gun is ALWAYS loaded. Literally false, metaphorically true.

Good post! What came to mind for me was Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. The beliefs/aspirations that prisoners held had a significant bearing on their will to live. To survive those death camps, one had to have some internal belief that gave them the will to live another day. A long time ago, there was a film about a father and son in a concentration camp. If remember correctly, it was A Beautiful Life. It captured the same idea of creating beliefs about your circumstances that serve you and support what you are trying to do.

I am a person guided by my fears, I understand them, I respect them, and they lead me. Fear made me accomplished things that motivation or discipline has never been able to get near the finishing line. The reason is because fear constantly draws my attention to what can jeopardize me, so I give action to solve it before my object of fear damage me.
I believe that our beliefs are stories that we tell ourselves to justify our actions or goals. But our beliefs can be highly dangerous to us because we start to tell lies to ourselves based on restraints which our brain get information, analyze, and build a perception. Therefore, I do not trust on my beliefs I live in constantly doubt.
Fear and doubt combined work for me.

There is a thing that I love about music, our favorite music is not based on the best technical execution or created by an artist with most years of experience. Our favorite music is based on what fit to us. Do you break up a relationship? There is a music for you. Do your day-to-day life is a hurdle? There is a music for you. To me perfection means being good enough to me. If I drink wine, it is not the most old, expensive, fancy, or exclusive who will please me most. So, I also apply this principle to me, I do not need to be the most improved version of myself to achieve things.
There is a book Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger that is written something that if you want to be good or wait the ideal scenario to start something you will never start, become good on the process, and create the opportunities.
Being good at something is different than believe that you are good at that thing.

“Beliefs are a means to improve actions. To say that one belief is the best — that one is right and others are wrong — is ignorant of the purpose of beliefs, and the nuanced differences in people’s current needs.” – Derek Sivers

Or, are beliefs a necessity, taken on as a means to help structure choices and actions amidst not knowing? What’s necessary after that, it would seem, is to act in line with one’s beliefs.

What if … a tiger is in pursuit … there’s a pot of gold to obtain … or there are hot coals underfoot? Or, one simply uses visualizations of such, as a motivation?

Motivational tricks, sure, are there to utilize; but so is the greater truth, most likely, there to be understood.

Of course, that’s just a belief, perhaps, for now; adopted to assist in arriving at a greater understanding. 😉

I feel similarly about beliefs. None are true, so you might as well pick the ones that serve your purposes. And I try to hold a belief loosely, with the idea that I will drop it once it stops serving the purpose. I also hope to be belief-free at some point and just experience life directly, without a thought about it.

Hi Derek -

I don't think that everyone acts completely as a result of their emotions, although many people do. In general, cognitive thinking is a much more effective at producing rational action.

Also, I don't think that emotions are always the result of what the person believes. Basic human needs and hormones create a pressure of their own and strongly affect the emotions of the individual.

The word 'belief' can refer to an element of an underlying moral system, and can also refer to a perception that reflects a value judgement. It is important not to conflate the two meanings. A lot of what you are talking about in your article amounts to value judgements made by the individual. For example, having it in your mind that you are good or bad at something is a value judgement. This opinion might be based on your perception or experience, or it could merely be the result of what other people told you, and you internalized what they said.

On the other hand, whether you think you should be stingy or generous is about your belief system.

Beliefs are the moral system underlying how we treat one another. In all of the major faiths and philosophies it is virtually the same - treating others the way you would want to be treated. Also, in the major belief systems selflessness is the moral course. Selfishness is the contradiction of that. Focusing on what serves you is the selfish position, and there is no moral justification for it.

In the modern world there are people who apparently have no moral belief system at all. If you don't have a moral belief system, you should probably look for one. They're all pretty much the same at root. What differs is the trappings that come with it. If you find trappings you can be comfortable with, adopt that one. You'll probably be a happier person.

If you already have a moral belief system, you should keep it. If you make changes at that level, you run the chance of losing who you are. Losing who you are is a recipe for unhappiness in the long run.

I don't think you should care about whether or not your belief system works for other people. If you truly believe something, you know it to be true. What do you care what other people think?

In general, internalizing the negative statements of others is probably the most common element that limits one's ability to succeed in life. And most of the time these hurtful negative statements are false and were self-serving for the individual that said them when they were said in the first place. Recognizing and eliminating the negative statements of others that you have internalized, is a positive approach to being successful at whatever you try, and successful in life.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Richard

Spot on. Lighter way to live a life.

“When you declare a belief to be true, it closes minds, cements identities, and leads to tribal fights with anyone who doesn’t find that belief to be true for them.

Beliefs are a means to improve actions. To say that one belief is the best — that one is right and others are wrong — is ignorant of the purpose of beliefs, and the nuanced differences in people’s current needs.“

Oh to be belief-free and simply know things directly.

Is telepathy on the horizon as we evolve back to the future? ;-)

Really cool concept, Derek. Fun to think about.

1. Stopping, slowing down, pausing, mindfulness, present moment awareness, being in the body, whatever label is most helpful: this is a simple skill that makes this process of noticing the belief we are holding at the moment and deciding if we can shift that belief a possible process. Without mindfulness and a moment of introspection and planning, the tool you are talking about often goes unused. One of the starters for this would be remembering we have a choice and can choose something other than the impulsive belief we usually go with.
2. A sense of self. When a solid/consistent sense of self exists, the work of shifting these beliefs, using the mind as a tool instead of a weapon against the self, becomes possible. When the sense of self is weak or projected or objectified onto the world around us, every situation becomes too pivotal to the false self to shift beliefs in a flexible way. In the emotions > beliefs > actions chain, maybe that would look something like remembering there can be certain "core" beliefs that we hold about ourselves that maintain the healthy authentic self, and then there are lots and lots of "secondary" beliefs we hold that we can explore in a more detached way that can be fun and exciting and helpful to work with without threatening the authentic self.

There is immense practical utility in using and changing beliefs, or what we tell ourselves about ourselves in order to take actions congruent with what we want. I have a few concerns though. If beliefs are amoral, i.e. simply pragmatic tools deployed to accomplish larger objectives then they can just as easily be used for bad as well as good ends. Yes, in an absolute sense you may think there is no good or bad and from that perspective be correct. But... we don't reside in that absolute world. We live in a temporal moral world, which means we have moral obligations to ourselves, those around us and the world in general. If truth has no moral stature and only exists to the degree it furthers our ends then we tread a very slippery slope. No religion or spiritual practice condones such moral relativism and ambiguity. Our happiness and social well being most likely depends on respect for certain values often expressed as religious commandments. They are if nothing else guideposts to a life well lived. Beliefs, emotions and ultimately actions in congruence with such values would indeed be powerful.

Derek , you are the pot of gold ! Always the best life quote approach to life. You have inspired and helped and constantly believed in me and my music and pasión for veg two decades . I always appreciate you :) Thankful for having crossed path with you . KVR

Hey Derek,

I have been reading Atomic Habits, lately, and for me this is exactly the same. Have you read it?

Still great writing!
Pierre-Marc
Yep! Great book! — Derek

You are using a belief in a very specific way. Less like a belief and more like a proposition, or a type of heuristic thinking. To get a certain outcome. This is transactional and does not require believing as such, more like a technique for improvement. The mind and ideas are tools. This is very powerful and is easy to apply for very clear situations, such as how to run faster.

I am drawn to the idea of playfulness as a useful space but acknowledge the difficulty to enter as an adult adapted by logic and structure, and responsibility. This would be a fruitful area of engagement opportunity I am sure.

You seem to be on the path of usefulness. And you seem to be a free thinker, less restrained by general societal beliefs than most, maybe due to your creative and independent life experiences.

I am usually able to find improvements in my life, but only when I have clarified the idea/issue enough for the solution/options to appear. Probably being able to focus on something enough to define it clearly is a necessary skill. How to run better? I need ideas and techniques, not beliefs as such.

There is power in beliefs though. And danger. Beliefs are good if they enhance reality, but may be damaging if they blind us to reality. Then there is the can of worms - what is real(ity)? We are made of layers of beliefs that we have absorbed since we were born.

What is the takeaway from all this - freedom to explore is good, fun, and useful, especially when it leads to outcomes that are good, fun, and useful. I really don’t like those other outcomes as much, LOL !

Derek, fascinating approach for achieving goals; basically when you are sure of the goal, but not sure of the paths, so you try multiple ways of getting there without fully committing to a single one and measuring progress. I see the merit of taking belief as the means and not the end.

I see some parallels in how AI uses Search Algorithms — www.section.io/engineering-education/understanding-search-algorithms-in-ai/ — to seek the goal (uninformed or informed).

It would be interesting if a close-nit community can try each of these approaches in parallel to seek out the optimal path faster? ☺

Reading the comments here ... an online book, already. ;-)

Super interesting, because beliefs and assumptions really do drive behaviors. Check out the Theory of Constraints Evaporating Cloud (or conflict cloud) logical tool for solving any problem or dilemma. It's all about surfacing assumptions. It uses language "In order to... We must... Because..." Then if you can invalidate just one assumption, you'll be able to find a direction towards a solution.

Now, regarding absolute truth, what about mathematics? Plato said, "Mathematics will draw the soul towards truth."

Life is changing, nothing is permanent. What was your aspirations and goals yesterday might not be the same tomorrow. So why shouldn’t your believes and means to accomplish them be changing as well? Thanks for bringing this little piece of wisdom to our attention.

Questioner: Hey, Belief, how are you doing?

Belief: OK, thanks ... but I just found out I'm adopted ... I'm going to search for my birth parents. ;-)

How do you convince yourself sufficiently that your actions are persuaded by your beliefs? Meditation and hypnosis seem the obvious ones; there must be a ton of different approaches though. Also, fascinating that you set this up with the tiger/gold post. That seemed like an allegory a smart 12 year old would write, but, it made the follow up resonate more convincingly; I’m not sure why. Thanks for the great post!

First of all, is that photo yours and if so where is that! It’s so beautiful.

I am in the high desert so running through a forest sounds amazing. Perhaps I will try to run thinking that just ahead is a forest with a path …

I like both circumstances and I think both are needed as well. You’re point of sometimes it is the consequences of not doing something that leads to a demise of sorts and others it is the reward of what will come… is very thought provoking.

Both work… in the right time and place…
Definitely going to try the Tiger to up my running time! :)

I completely agree with this: "What works for others might not work for you. What you needed yesterday might not be what you need today. Life is nuanced. Choose your goals and beliefs only for how they help you now.", and I also agree with some people comments that say that it is not that easy to change or adopt new beliefs.

I think it is a process. For example, personally, I used to believe in hard work, to hustle all day, to give it all at work, all-nighters, etc, etc. I used to read/listen books/podcasts on productivity, entrepreneurship, business, and that kind of topics that used to make that belief grow.

But when my first child was born all I wanted was to stay at home taking care of him. So I started to read other kind of books and listen other kind of podcasts. The topics were about balance, self-care, consciousness, philosophy, spirituality, and things related. So I think that in order to fullfil my needs at that moment, I wanted to change my beliefs, but in order to do that I think that I unconsciously surrounded my self with all the necessary material that would help me to achieve it.

So I think it would be important to clarify or highlight that it is not a simple process to change one's beliefs, at least most of the times, but certainly it is worth it.

Adopt a belief ... trying it on for size, as a result?

In other words, does the belief fit, or not? Fit, in that case, measured in terms of improvements seen, or not? If adopting a new belief brings a positive change, as well, what would have changed?

In other words, what follows or flows from holding a belief, any belief, newly adopted or previously indoctrinated, i.e., by way of the culture one is born into or perhaps over time, the culture(s) one has been immersed in or exposed to; certain actions? Is it that our beliefs form the basis for the thoughts that stream through us? Is it that our beliefs structure our personally experienced reality?

Do we really choose our beliefs, though, or is it that we choose what we want to experience? Is it that we choose what actions we want to take in line with our desires and if one belief or another is seen to be impeding that choice, it has to be discarded, augmented or changed in some way?

Why would you need to adapt your confidence level in order to be open to more learning, by way of a belief change? Why not simply notice the overconfidence and let that go?

To summon the courage to perform, why not simply stand in the unknown and draw sustenance from that? Deciding that you are great at something, does that make it so? Perhaps it does, if beliefs structure our reality. On the other hand, does it really ... or is that tied to the work done to master one thing or another?

Playing with beliefs, just for fun ... OK, fun is great ... kind of like singing the same song a whole bunch of different ways, just for fun, but in an odd way, by doing so, expanding on possibilities?

If, however, we are already indoctrinated by the beliefs of the cultures we've been born into and/or exposed to over time, are we even aware of the beliefs that operate within us?

Adopting new beliefs, does that help us achieve new things? Perhaps doing so might have that result. On the other hand, is it that an old impeding or limiting belief gets jettisoned in the process, and it's the removal of that impediment that allows for new results?

Lots to reflect on here, and what does reflection provide for, it seems ... but the potential or possibility to draw out any lessons that may be there to draw out; or not, as the case may be.

Questioner: "Belief, how are you doing today?

Belief: "Just fine, thanks, although I just found out I was adopted. Now I want to find my birth parents!" ;-)

Thanks Derek, this got me thinking.

Yes, completely agree that our belief can makes us do things, but isn't choosing belief only because it's useful, not because it's true,, dangerous? I imagine this can also lead to bad stuff like racism for example

Fascinating concept and delivery with the metaphor

Cool. It'll be useful.

And I think it'll need contextualized, with definitions of things you're NOT talking about.

1. Despite what the currently popular CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) influencers will have us believe, some emotions don't come out of beliefs and are largely uncontrollable without major intervention; some come from traumatic (eg unhealed childhood abuse) or biological origins (eg hormonal issues like Endometriosis or PMDD). Rather, I think you're focusing on the fleeting stories we tell ourselves: the self-dialogue that we can actually control using CBT techniques. And that should be qualified so, for example, you don't have some poor soul internally blaming/shaming herself for not 'thinking' herself out of what is actually PMS-driven depression.

2. Beliefs are fickle and can change, but values are long-term. Whether I believe French is a difficult or easy language will change by the minute; my value of education/learning will stick around for decades. Values that are/are not aligned with our actions is a source of emotions also not attributed to beliefs (ACT - acceptance & commitment theory).

3. Another commenter talked about explaining the difference between 'the truth' (what actually happened/is happening) vs 'my truth' (my perception of what happened/is happening... Let's not go 'Eat, Pray, Love'.

4. I foresee issues with this approach for people with a poor sense of identify/self-worth. If I'm a very young adult, still figuring out my identity, trying on new beliefs without an underlying sense of self-worth or knowing my own values, that could be derailing and counterproductive.

I worry that many self-help books don't qualify who their writing is for, and people who need serious help from trained professionals rather than a "here's a new way to motivate yourself". I think the latter is incredibly valuable and worthy of publication, but I would like to see more self-help authors distinguish themselves from actual therapists and define who they're talking to in the first page of their writing, as these types of books can do more harm than good for people who actually need serious help (and who are probably devouring self-help books because they haven't gotten serious help yet).

Looking forward to reading it!

That's pretty useful actually. A lot of times, conflicts (whether with other people or frustration with self) happens because there is this fixed belief or illusion. Perhaps if we can learn to be more practical and be aware of these fixed beliefs, and change them accordingly, then we can actually have a better shot of fulfilling our potentials.

Hi Derek, I'd love to see these ideas further developed. In particular, specifics on how and when to apply different motivational "frames". Back those specifics with research and real life anecdotes, and I think you'd have a winner.

Hey Derek,
I like the clear approach to beliefs- I'd like to point to different kinds of beliefs that need identifying imo. There are the beliefs you can change as described- however beliefs as thoughts we hold true and that are formed over time- those are not always easy to shift especially if they run sub consciously. So I can adapt a new belief but still 'be run' by an old one. And that catches up with us. So I wonder what you can see to be true about this. To stick in the running picture, the old underlying belief could be "running can really impact the joints" and as much as the runner goes faster and better, as soon as the pain hits and he/she can't run anymore they might give up hope on many more things. It was great to be part of tigerism and coalism and goldkeeping but now without running, what's left. None of these apply to anything else. Maybe we can go even deeper on the attachment we hold to certain thoughts and why some are stronger than others?

Reading this I remember the old adage that "it is all about the journey." Belief systems, motivations, self-help, all try to give us answers to the questions of what comes before and what comes after. The journey we take and the way we take is the reality and purpose of our existence.

I always enjoying hearing about your stops and anecdotes along your journey Derek. I am thankful that you share it with so many. It definitely brightens my travels.

I wasn't aware of the philosophy of pragmatism. The Wiki page also suggests that pragmatism is a branch of philosophy that considers the world and its entities as tools for problem-solving, rather than a representation of reality. Ironically, I think you can pick pragmatism as a meta-philosophy: Choose pragmatism when you know what you want to do and need to get yourself to do it, choose the opposite when you need to reflect and find out what you actually want to do.

The emphasis on "now" makes a lot of sense. The need for consistency can make us figure out solutions to problems of the past when they are no longer relevant. Keeping the focus on now reduces that risk. I'm interested to see where you go with this and how you can actually trick yourself into taking up a belief temporarily. Does a placebo work once you know it's a placebo?
Good point about placebo! Thank you. — Derek

Hi Derek, great topic.This came through on a run in the forest as well. In my remembrance, beliefs are formed based on core consciousnesses we choose to experience when we incarnate as higher dimensional consciousness in human form here to have a human experience. All by choice. We have experiences (and experience emotions) based on these core consciousnesses, which are also influenced by programming and paradigms into which we are born, and we develop beliefs. As we remember and become aware of who we are and start to integrate the traumas, understand the programming as just that, and re-evaluate beliefs, these beliefs often change, or you could say, evolve. So I see the whole process as fluid once one begins to awaken to the possibility that most of what we experience and then believe is intentional, and we are guiding ourselves through our own evolution. So what you wrote is eloquent and simple and I think it will meet people where they are at with their own understanding of belief, emotion.

Somehow, reading this article reminds me of "Principles" by Ray Dalio. I can't really differentiate the meaning between Beliefs in this article and Principles in Ray's book. "Fun is always a legitimate and underrated goal" is an intriguing quote that I should probably think about more.

Thanks for sharing, Derek.

Beliefs can also be unconscious. So deeply ingrained, they generate emotions and thoughts without you being able to see their roots.

What do you think of the process of **identifying** the beliefs. Thats not trivial I think. And crucial: before choosing useful beliefs, don't you need to remove old, harmful ones ?

I’ve been living and teaching much of what you wrote about here for decades. I also teach “Reality is just the most popular illusion” and thought I was pretty good at such things.

One difference, you added “beliefs” where I was saying “thoughts”.. BRILLIANT!

Beliefs are thought, but you way ties these two concepts together. Our thoughts ARE based on our beliefs and can change to match our current reality.

I ended up trying this with an exercise this morning. Broke through a barrier by restating my belief. When I got to the barrier, I kept that thought in mind and just kept going.

Thanks for this.

Thanks Derek for the wonderfully worded wriite-up.

Here are my few words :)

Choosing beliefs may shape one's action and to a certain extent one's destiny.

But is that the clearest way to look at life?

Is action (physical or mental) the most important aspect in our lives?

Surely we can understand this better by digging a little deeper.

Isn't "experience" an even more fundamental element?

The more profound our experience, the more richer our lives get. Isn't it?

Action comes as the situation demands it.

It springs from our desires, and more precisely how we perceive our desires.

Action is one recipe to reach a profound experience.

Meditation is another.

No-action another.

Or simply being alive :)

I learn to swim, and in-turn have an experience of learning it as well as all the future swims that come out of this action.

But the currency that deems this actuon worthwhile is the profoundness of experience that comes out of it.

And experience doesn't have positive and negative shades to it.

Whether good or bad, experience is always a gain in one's life.

We started with zero experience, and are only getting more of it with each passing moment. Isn't it?

We may get wounded by it or come out wise. This is left entirely left to how we perceive a given experience.

So now instead of optimising action (by choosing beliefs) let us look at how one can
sustainably expand the profoundness of experience.

Aren't experiences more profound when we are more involved with our action?

One must see this for oneself. When is their experience of life more profound?

Is it when they're doing one thing, thinking another and feeling yet another thing entirely?

Or is it when all their thought, emotions, body, the whole works is solely focused on thing? Fully involved.

In this the world has disappeared, the mind has disappeared, only action remains.

One must see this for oneself.

This intensity of involvement yeilds a profound experience.

In this there is no need to choose beliefs. No need to set goals.

A profound life is a rich life.

Simply the sheer intensity of involvement with life does it.

Instead of setting goals, one learns to be involved with whatever life throws at them.

Anyway the goals we set today are based on what we understand today.

Life may have planned something totally different for us

Life never misses to surprise.

And isn't that what makes it more enjoyable as well?

The more vibrant experiences we live through, the more vivid the tapestry of our lives become :)

The idea of choosing beliefs that inspire helpful actions is new and useful, and I like the point about the importance of fun, thank you.

The point about downplaying truth could potentially cause harm though. Since atrocities throughout history happened when people acted on beliefs "true for them" but which harmed others. Anything which initiates harm is inherently bad, even if the person causing harm seems to benefit in the short term. Quantum physics shows that we're all connected and all one.

Some things are inherently true based on evidence, and what already exists happened and is true with no gray area.

Hi Derek,

Turns out we were in Japan when you were! Hope you and your son had a great time.

This concept is coming at the perfect moment for me as I question what’s possible and what’s next in my life.

In your words, I operate under the “I’m bad at this” belief for at least the first 2 years of doing anything. That’s definitely not on purpose. I would love to switch to the belief that “I’m great at this” from time to time when I have to perform. But honestly, I don’t know how to do that. Going really deep into how to adopt a new set of beliefs about the world would be incredibly useful (at least to me).

I really love this concept of believing something because it’s helpful. I’m not a very religious person, but I have started to come around to the concept of believing in a God because it could help me feel more at peace with things and feel like my life is more meaningful. Oddly it helps, even if I don’t entirely believe it’s true.

I know you’re incredibly concise with your books, but more of an account of your experiments using this concept would also be fascinating and useful to learn from. You often try things that don’t even occur to me.

Thanks for reading and stay well.

Best,
Rob

Unfortunately for this discussion, the word 'beliefs' is freighted with a lot of different meanings, and in any given discussion, there will be a lot of disagreements that are more based in those differing meanings than actual disagreements. So when you read someone writing about 'beliefs' you pretty much have to search out what they mean with that word before you proceed.

For those pondering if you can 'change beliefs', a quote from Viktor Frankl: "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."

For the purpose of what Derek is (I think) trying to get at, consider 'belief' to be something you can insert into that space between stimulus and response.

---

I still think we mostly get emotions backwards. Emotions aren't what drive our actions, emotions are post hoc rationalizations for why we did what we did.

A very insightful book on this is "How Emotions Are Made" by Lisa Feldman Barrett, et al.
interesting. thank you. — Derek

Heyy Derek

This is getting exciting... looking forward to how you weave this idea into a whole new thought provoking book !

Always cheering for you 🥂

SMiT 😊🤟

What you're calling beliefs I tend to call "mental postures." These are ways to think about the world around you, and just like how you can slouch your back and then sit up straight, you can flip back and forth between these different modes of thinking with relative ease. Some people are more comfortable in some mental postures than others, hence the "tigirists" and other crowds.

I think it's a wonderful way to challenge your own headspace. But I agree with some of the comments below that the message of "swap your beliefs out as necessary" makes it feel somewhat truth-agnostic, and not in a particularly pleasing-feeling way.

Much love,
Alex
good term. thank you. — Derek

“When you declare a belief to be true, it closes minds, cements identities, and leads to tribal fights with anyone who doesn’t find that belief to be true for them.”
It made me think of people in my life that have their “heels” dug into a belief so firmly they have blinders on, like a race horse run down the track that can’t see the taste grass just below its self.

Hey Derek.
Love that you challenge to get better and think differently.
Agree that your thoughts and beliefs help to move you in different ways, some positive and some not so helpful. So being flexible to challenge and change your thoughts to help you move in a positive way makes great sense.
I love the story you use to make it simple to understand.
Good stuff as usual.

I think you will love reading the book "food, sex and Strangers" It is an academic book about the study of religion. Your idea of 'belief' will be chalenged by this book. It is a fun book too!

Derek,

This is excellent. The imagery works well and giving a real-life example like running really brings it home.

There may be a disconnect with some people over the word "Belief" since it may carry a religious connotation in their minds. However, I think it is an accurate word, to describe the power that you want to feed into the visualization.

Thanks for this Derek. It’s a very helpful set of metaphors which I’m sure many of us will instinctively know to be useful but having them set out like this is helpful in bringing them in from the periphery of our vision to front and centre.
It’s great to see you still thinking in inventive ways. I hope you’re well and all is good in your life.

Either way. Working for you or working against you. You are choosing a belief. There is no “default”, no “reality”, no”truth”, when it comes to beliefs. It feels like even more than anything your beliefs will dictate the language you speak. To me, this matters more than anything. What we speak becomes our life and our reality. Pick a belief instead of having one picked for you, use language developed from that belief, and take action aligned with your belief. Lather, rinse, repeat. Where I get into trouble is holding on to beliefs that have worked for me and then they get sticky. They start turning into habits, then part of my identity. Don’t hold on to anything like it’s THE TRUTH, be able to let it go. And, yes I am talking to myself.

At one level this says “the way you choose to think about things affects your performance”.

The best anecdote on this theme is from the football manager John Lambie. During a football match, striker Colin McGlashan was involved in a clash of heads with an opponent. When told that McGlashan was concussed and didn’t know who he was, Lambie replied: “Great. Tell him he’s Pelé and get him back on.”

But the way the ideas are presented as universal truths makes me uncomfortable. Should we put on our beliefs like clothes, with a beady eye aimed at our own utility? Or should we search for truth and consider others? As other commentators have said I think the essay needs revising and honing. For example, pictures are not beliefs

The examples reminded me of George Ainslie's work on intertemporal bargaining. His book "Breakdown of Will" is compelling and provocative, although it isn't a quick or easy read.

Derek, I love this line of thought and believe it's so true that we can indeed almost shape our future with it. I can't wait to see where you take this wisdom

Maybe I am good. Maybe I don't suck. Maybe I have talent. Maybe I am not depressed. I could be a poet or a composer. Like I tried to before. I need to be positive at all times. I need to believe who I am, and where I've been, and where I am going to. Emotions are tough, but I am the master of my emotions. Only I can control myself and my creations. That's what's tough about creativity. Once you create, you are responsible for what you created. You have to keep it up and keep heading for the finish line.

Hi Derek,

Pick the advice/ belief that works for your unique situation. Ignore others.

I hope my understanding of your article is correct.

I like it.

However, I would like to share my thoughts that contradicts your perspective.

In every situation, there is a truth.

Instead of adopting belief, I think seeking truth works for me ( I live this way for the past few months)

You might ask me, What I mean by truth ?

Below are few characteristics of truth.

- Truth is causality.

- Truth can stand on its own leg. For example, Take any problem. Fix for that problem is not the truth. If the cause of a problem is removed, then the problem disappears. And the fix can’t stand on its own leg without the problem .

- Truth doesn’t change over space and time

In nature/ reality, everything is cause and effect.

If I want to get rich ( effect), then I need to understand the causes ( truth) that creates this effect.

If i use the vehicle of beliefs to get what I want, then I will fail.

Either I know something or I don’t know something.

Belief is intermediary.

So, beliefs are dangerous.

Atleast, if I accept that I don’t know something, I have the probability of identifying the truth that takes me to the destination.

So, truth is far more dependable than beliefs.

This works for me. It may not work for others

Also, as you mentioned writing a book on this topic.

I highly recommend watching this video on prescriptions by Kapil - youtu.be/vWAGrSgEB4A

Have a great day Derek !

Thanks,
MJ.

I like this concept. I think its useful. I agree with the theme but never heard it expressed so clearly. I think it's super helpful both personally and for the greater good. I think people hold beliefs fairly tightly a lot of the time. Great post, valuable. Thank you

Echoes of Lao Tzu - the strength of flexibility. The reed will bend with the wind and thus survive. When the wind blows north ( ie the situation requires a certain outlook in order for you to move forward) then bend north (adopt that outlook).
After all, we're really just dealing with subjective outlook, so we can just make it our own. Today I'm an uber-talented, highly successful and globally respected musician. And if that's still working tomorrow, I might just stick with it. If not, I might be an award- winning armpit-fart maker (or "fartist") with a stable full of unicorns in my petting zoo....

This is definitely a book I'd read, especially through the lens of current events.

Hi Derek, I think that your concept of choosing your beliefs to generate your emotions, and letting your emotions push you in the direction that you have decided in your mind totally makes sense. It's a shortcut to choosing your emotional state, and creating your direction.

Well said!

Vi

Ahh~ Finally, the reveal!

I love this concept for your next book!!! Career wise, I can see this book being used to explain why it’s important for people to care about differences and not overlook them or worse, peg them against a supposed “truth” as the standard.

A note of improvement would be that I hope your book touches on the “life is nuanced” part. HOW, in your opinion, is it nuanced? What does that mean to you, and how can your readers apply that? How does that expand/is a part of this narrative on beliefs?

Yes, so appreciate the nuance and "anti-advice prescription" philosophy here! :)

To complement this, however, I would also invite people to check the belief "all beliefs are subjective," (which of course presupposes an objective belief). Meaning, I would say a few (though only a few) beliefs are certain, such as A=A, 2+2=4 or "I am reading this comment right now." But we could call those axioms rather than beliefs I suppose. All that said, the value of your post to invite people to be nimble and personal in their thinking - esp. when it comes to self-development - is truly invaluable.

Awesome — living one day, sometimes one moment, at a time! Life as it should be lived — stoically.

... just realized that all beliefs are adopted, or taken on; whether during early indoctrination, or otherwise.

... it's fascinating to read the comments generated here.

... playing with "mental postures", that's insightful.

Your idea reminds me of a suggestion in Scott Adams's book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. To paraphrase, he believes all skills are helpful (I agree) and that every new skill gives you a fifty percent better chance of success. He qualifies this by saying that whether or not the percentage is accurate is irrelevant if the belief motivates you to acquire more skills.

Candidly, I have little to no experience practicing beliefs. My general intention is to forego beliefs in favor of seeking the truth and seeing reality objectively, which I find inspiring and compelling. I do things because a) I'm into it b) it is intrinsically meaningful and fulfilling, and c) it aligns with my values. That is enough motivation to keep me going. But I think using beliefs to inspire action has merit and is worthy of investigation and experimentation.

Rightly said but easier said than done. How do you become flexible with your beliefs so that you can pick and drop as and when needed?

Hello Derek,

"Beliefs make emotions", as beliefs are the starting point; I get it; we need to choose beliefs carefully.

How can "our music" help us adopt the correct beliefs we need each time? If I was only wise enough to choose the right music?

Many thanks for your art,
I am looking forward to read the next book :-)

The story and commentary are both thought provoking. I could even say they contain a great deal of truth. However, a consideration of the role of “truth” is missing from this discussion.

Experience tells me that emotions and beliefs are more significant guides of human action than “truth,” but it concerns me that truth is not mentioned or discussed in your commentary. The quest for truth is after all the foundation of science, which though not great at changing emotions or beliefs, has brought about the many miracles of modern life (health care, technology, communications, etc.) I strongly believe in truth.

Philosophically, you seem close to American Pragmatism. Perhaps bringing in the voice of William James would help with the truth issue.

Also, in my experience, beliefs are difficult to change, yet you make it sound so easy. Where is the truth in that? Emotions, on the other hand, are easier to change, especially when in the company of other people. Perhaps the other missing ingredient in this tale, is the role social interaction plays in changing our emotions and beliefs.

I will share something I wrote in Drafts tonight before I read this. Seems to be slightly on topic, and I'll follow up with context.

---

My faults should and cannot be someone else's burden. My addictions need to be handled at the source and not through a hoped intervention, so I don't have to deal with the repercussions of my weaknesses.

The way to a better life is to face everything head-on and clean-headed and with all my guns coming to bear.

Life is almost over, so be the guy that leaves like George Luz. With a mile of people sad you're gone.

Work on that every day.

How do I go to bed tomorrow and sleep knowing I've done everything I can do to make this place better for the next round of animals?

And it'll be 3 generations before self-driving cars. We need that much distance from the past and that much proximity to armageddon for people to take extreme radical action.

---

On December 19th, 2021, I had a stroke at 50 years old. In the hospital, I checked out and came back. My beliefs for the next 3 months differed from those before the stroke. And now, coming up on a year, I'm trying to reassess the beliefs that I discovered, lost, and rediscovered and lost. And trying to maintain the lessons I learned from seeing the stuff we shouldn't see. Tig Notaro mentioned this in a podcast I heard recently when she had cancer and was losing people left and right. We see some things when we get close to the event horizon that changes us forever, or so we think. Because we still keep growing and changing, and everyday shit that worked yesterday won't work today, but what worked 25 years ago just might work again. And it's all personal. Anyway, I just loved this. Thanks.

Thanks for the sharing.

I guess believing in new beliefs requires practice.

Recently, I learned about a technique called “neutralization”.
When we feel negative emotion, we realize it, don’t judge it, then think about a positive one to neutralize it.

For example:
(-) I got up late this morning, oh no!
(+) Actually, I slept really well last night!

I chuckled when I read both your first post because it instantly reminded me of a book you recommended, Sum. After reading a couple of chapters of Sum, I quickly came to this conclusion that life could sort of be this creative writing exercise - no right or wrong but whatever story one creates to suit their needs.

From that perspective, life truly becomes a limitless experiment based in fun and curiosity… a much more engaging way to go through life and, as you importantly point out, support taking action.
> life could be a creative writing exercise ← I love this! — Derek

I'm uncomfortable with this.

It prompted memory of a quote from Geoffrey Vickers:

"A trap is a trap only for creatures which cannot solve the problem that it sets. And traps are dangerous only in relation to the limitations on what we can see, value and do."

"The nature of the trap is a function of the nature of those who are trapped."

Many folk might not realise that this is just a mental construct, rather than a hard-edge reality, and not be able to extricate themselves.

Good concept, I think you are using the words belief and thought interchangeably. How would you differentiate the two? Also, how is a belief formed at the first place? Perhaps looking at the origin of a belief may help one change it for today's requirement.
I like the idea of adopting beliefs for current needs only. That makes a lot of sense.

Hi Derek ,
I am in a position in my life right now that I think my old beliefs about prosperity do not serve my anymore.They helped me to grow slowly for the last 20 years but also have kept myself in this safe zone and for me is very difficult to eliminate or transform them .It will be very helpful to find a way to do this after all this years :).I want to grow exponentially but somehow I cannot breakthrough
Thx :)

HI Derek,

I love this idea.

I've had a model I've been using for the last 20 years - I call it E-FART (I can be quite silly, sorry! It helped me remember it).

It's a circle with FART - Feelings -> Actions -> Reactions -> Thoughts... You go round the circle forever. There are only 2 spots on the cycle that you have control over - Actions & Thoughts, yet we find ourselves trying to control Reactions, or Feelings all the time ("He should have called me","Stop feeling scared!")

I added E after a few years - because I found my Environment severely affected my FART cycle - change the E and the cycle changes more easily. Or, if you're in a bad E (death in the family was a challenge for me) it's more difficult.

I think this fits nicely with your beliefs system.
Debs Jenkins

I'll quote Socrates on this "All human error or wrongdoing is involuntary for man can only choose what he believes at the time to be good to bring happiness". I am wondering is this real or illusory and how can it be identified?

Also for me at least there's an alternative to running through the forest, unless I am exerting, and that is to observe the forest from afar, same way we watch the sun rising or setting.

Sakis

I find pretty hard the idea that one can pick beliefs so easily. Conscious/Unconscious... others might be reinforced by tribes, states, social circles. Others might not be available because they're at the edge of illegal. Most important of all, maybe a specific person has a range of beliefs compatible with their neurology which defines their experiences. A color blind person might have difficulty believing that red is their favorite color (just guessing). Someone sensitive to flashes might get epileptic seizures no matter what they believe. Their body's reaction limits the beliefs they can have to some ground truth. The "Case Against Reality" by Donald Hoffman explores the utilitarian aspects of consciousness and everything that arises within, like thoughts and feelings... and of course beliefs (which are likely mostly thoughts).

I agree with the general premise.
Where do beliefs come from, though?
And what if I want to believe I am good at something? But deep down, I feel like an imposter or that I don’t truly believe it.
These are just some counter-points that might help you flesh out the idea more!

What you’ve laid out here is intriguing and I believe could be highly beneficial to the reader. From the brief description you've given, it seems to have a mighty broad scope. I am not sure how you want to approach it. Even with the one running example, there are already three mind suggestions to improve a runner's performance: the pot of gold, tiger, and hot coals. Situations requiring action vary, often greatly, so many different categories of mind suggestions would be needed to cover all of them. For instance, getting your "game face" on before your team plays a 60-minute sporting match may require a category of mind suggestions while motivating yourself on a daily basis to take the many steps needed over 2 years to get your startup going and successful may call for a different set of mind tricks. Are you thinking about pinpointing one or a few categories of goals and actions for the belief adoption?

Beliefs (and anything else in life for that matter) are indeed trying to serve life and to meet needs.
This is what I value about the lens of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). To go beyond right and wrong and focus on the needs of the people (beings, plants, animals) involved.
You might want to read the book?

Hi Derek,

I would explore the Three Principles if you haven't already. They specifically talk about that and could help you articulate your message.

My favorite book is "Somebody should have told us" by Jack Pransky. And there's lots of videos on the web too. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

Best wishes with the book!

I love how you approached this. I love the flexibility it brings to my life. Thank you for sharing Derek.

Belief is purely a mental process...
To control your mind is to control the matrix, lol

Best regards from Brazil!

that is a very different way to think about beliefs and i really like it. so what i need to pay attention to as well is what is the behavior that people are trying to get you to do when they want to change your beliefs.

In an odd way the concept we manifest our beliefs is as old as time. It's been years since I read up on paganism and Druids but I seem to recall both cautioning about disciplining one's mind and beliefs to help prevent malignant manifestation(s) of worst fears.

Thanks for this piece of inspiration Derek! Your tactical approach on life is something I look up to very much.

This is such a nice reminder of being adaptable and curious rather than rigid and dogmatic.

Mo Gawdat's "Solve For Happy" had, in my opinion, a brilliant proof for exactly what you're writing about (believe in whatever works for you). Starting from the "slit test" from quantum physics, he makes a good case for the infinite potential of energy prior to it becoming observable particles, i.e. experiential reality.

Looking at the Shrodinger's Cat problem, anything that can't be observed can potentially be anything. Since the overwhelming majority of the universe can't be observed, any narrative a person tells him or herself about what is True exists on a spectrum of probability.

If anything may be true, then the important thing is not having a rigid grip on whatever one is telling oneself is true. The important thing is to believe in whatever encourages positive action.

I imagine you and Mo would have a fantastic conversation :)

This certainly runs parallel with Eckhart Tolle‘s not hanging onto belief systems. Michael Singer’s book Untethered soul talks about A single thought or idea can jerk you out of depression. So maybe it’s that a belief systems isn’t necessarily the truth, just your truth necessary for what you need.

Thank you for the collection of run posts, Derek.

Good morning Derek!!
So full of avenues of thought...YOU are!!! Love the way you present to us all, stimulus for the mind and behavior!! That said, truth, is always a hard topic to 'nail' as we all come from so many different perspectives, yet I believe it is there...it is part of the exploration, the curiosity, the joy of the journey, to discover it...if we dare! I see it's remnants, its clues in the results of love...faith, hope, love...truths to remain and I look forward to the treasures to be found.
Thank YOU Derek!! You are awesome!!
Have a beautiful day!!
Rachel :-)

Once again you have distilled a complex concept into a simple form that can be contemplated : Beliefs make emotions -> Emotions make actions. In my experience, emotions do not always result in action and least right away. Of course in-action is also an action. Also a given brief needs to be pretty deep seated to generate a powerful enough emotion to produce actions that endure or at least create a desired result.

One of your best posts. Loved the explanation and the analogy. Thank you for sharing. :)

Hey Derek, your beliefs explanation can be improved with lenses.

I'm reading Mungers Almanack right now and he talks about how everyone wants to simplify the world into 1 model. What's the answer? Is it running on your toes? Running for a pot of gold? Running as if a tiger is chasing you?

The world works through multiple mental models, you need use multiple beliefs or mental models to solve whatever's in front of you. As a mentor of mine said look at data through multiple viewpoints to broaden your options and create your own or pick the one you like best.

Cheers.

Fascinating - I like the spin - to gear beliefs to a practical end by linking them with emotion and armoring our move towards them with purpose. It might be helpful to find a way to work passion into the mix as an accelerated motivator too.

I read the daily run part 1 as a metaphor for life, not actions, based on the first sentence “Every day you go on a long run through the forest.” No matter what you do to alter your running, you run and you’re done. For me it was sad. Now I understand your intentions. The relationships among beliefs, emotions and actions is a good topic for a book. For a scientific perspective, I suggest How Emotions are Made: the Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett, in case you haven’t seen her work. She explains how the brain is wired by experience and operates by prediction.

This is a very interesting way of thinking and reminds me of something Bruce Lee once said during an interview. Bruce stated that when training the body for martial arts combat that it is better to study all art forms opposed to one. Take a bit from as many styles as possible and build the entire body and not just a particular part.

I like the idea of "what you needed yesterday might not be what you need today"

thoughts/beliefs -> emotions -> energy -> actions -> results

I guess with enough creativity you can think and belief anything you want thereby influencing your actions and results. I like it. That is a powerful thought.
Sometimes I also think not to overthink things, just do it, playfully, jump into it, don't think too much about the consequences, but be openminded to the possible unexpected actions and results. E.g. go to some random place, talk to random people, try understand randoms things and I think something enlighthing will come out of it. A ping pong between your thoughts/beliefs and reality influencing each other.
Just a few thoughts. Hope it helps.

Thanks for this Derek,

I run my own business and this post is very timely as I undertake a new project.

I self diagnosed myself as ADHD a few years ago which has been very enlightening and shone a light on both my challenges and strengths.

One of the challenges is around my "inability" to record information. I run a small recruitment agency and every conversation generates data to be recorded, candidate profiles, actions, or client profiles to submit candidates etc.,

Recently I've been shying away from much activity because of the amount of data each conversation generates and the "BELIEF" that I can't keep on top of things, which is having negative consequences on the business, revenue and also self esteem etc.,

I'm going to play with Beliefs around this and have fun (interestingly I'm engaging with a new CRM provider tomorrow, so a mind set change must be "in the air!).

Thanks
Richard

This reminds me a lot of the book Scout Mindset by Julia Galef. In short, she talks about how most of us usually adopt a "Soldier Mindset" which values emotional comfort, social status, etc over understanding the truth of a situation. She argues that in almost every situation, it's more beneficial to adopt a "Scout Mindset" where you're seeking out the truth, even if that truth is uncomfortable, because it allows you to make the most informed decisions.

She discusses how those with a "Scout Mindset" don't have as much loyalty to any one belief system because they focus more on what is true and useful in the current moment (as opposed to static belief systems which do not change in different contexts)

Hi Derek,
Is what you're describing actually a belief, or is it rather a narrative or story? I think real beliefs are deep truths, like "There is an afterlife." (or there isn't). Truths that underly and undergird everything that is. That give our lives rich meaning.

What you've described in these two posts seem more like narratives or stories. Something at a more shallow level that we tell ourselves. Often based on our interpretation of our prior experience, and not necessarily true or not true.

If these ARE meant to be true beliefs, and we're supposed to change them when they no longer serve us, then I think there is still an underlying "belief" here. Utilitarianism. One that says "Beliefs are only as good as they are useful." We have an amazing capacity for self-delusion and self-justification. Utilitarianism can be twisted to justify all sorts of evils. Somehow I don't think this is what you're advocating.

On the other hand, if we have an underlying belief that is based on a universal principle, like "There is dignity in all mankind," we are more likely to tell ourselves a story and live in alignment with that belief. Thus, in your example, any of those narratives could serve to help the runner, because consistent exercise is one way to develop himself. And in developing himself, he's displaying the dignity he already knows he has.

If it's a switch you can flip to get the result you want, fantastic. But if not...!
Similar to some of the posts below, when it comes to deeply held beliefs/views that shape our view of life and reality, and given the choice between a delusional mindset that 'gets results' and the truth, I choose the truth/reality.

How to reconcile it all? I don't think you can. But correct me if I'm wrong.
Admittedly, I do use the 'flip a switch' mindset when playing sports and it is effective.

Hi Derek,

This is a cool analysis of the relationship between mind and action, dream and reality. It seems that adjust and refine your mind and action often to better achieving your goal is the center piece of the discussion. It helps reminding me to actively manage my daily task for a long term goal...

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Gong

I have a habit of brainwashing myself into the identities that fit the situations for any given moment. I think this habit comes from my core belief that all beliefs are malleable, and as human beings we can always adapt to whatever circumstances we're in.

Interesting way to think about beliefs. I suppose there are often true (and not true) parts to the things that we believe that make it easier to shift those beliefs around as needed. And sometimes there is no objective truth, just what we choose to believe.

I'll have to sit with this one and think it through a bit more :)

belief is wisdom in having faith in the universe and your self and to sometimes let a higher or unknown power guide you god bless Jim

I often use mind tricks to help myself achieve something. If it is about something less important, I consider it useful. If it is about something more important, I think it is necessary to know the reality. It's not good to say it doesn't matter what others think about you, but only what you think about yourself. It is important what others think because we are social beings.
A lot of people are in the delusion that they are good at something, but they don't see the reality.

Hi Derek!

Belief, not dogma.
Very deep. And useful.

Thanks!

❤️Absolutely love this post and realy needed to be reminded. I have been so lost in”positive thinking” lately because of my surroundings takeing this idea to contraproductive ways of thinking. Love ya!

When I was teaching my son how to ride a bike, we started with my holding the seat of his bike while he pedaled and learn how to balance. After several sessions, I felt that he can already balance and ride the bike safely without me holding the seat. So for several sessions, I would frequently let go and let him ride while he thought I was still holding the seat. The moment he realized I was no longer holding the bike he immediately started crashing.

Beliefs indeed make actions, but what happens when one stops believing?

Hi Derek,

I love this and often manage my feelings and emotions by targeting and redirecting my beliefs - I see this as being similar to goals, we should be constantly checking in with ourselves as we grow and/or overcome problems.

Having positive beliefs of our own making or adopted from another source makes perfect sense to me.

What I especially like is when a particular belief becomes stronger and stronger and more powerful. Entrenched in our consciousness. Empowering us in our purpose and passion with authentic soul messages.

Most of my beliefs are long lived and won't ever waiver, but we'll see...

love to hear from you!

Annie

PS - most feelings are subject to how we look at things. We can master many emotional and mental issues, by changing our outlook on things. This can take work but can actually help overcome many challenges.

Love this! I have/had the great opportunity to meet with oldfolks who still work and still claim their own oldtime economic ”we work hard and are not reliant on ”modern economics”. They are people who in a wondeful way found out how to be finacially be ok outside/within ”industrial farming etc” The personal zen of these ”. ” is outstanding! I have never met a person better able to ”measure success” with me than them: they will say good for you, so glad I met you so I can learn about your life that is different from mine, and they cherrish the expeiense through their meeting with my other life and say: well we had the animals/the farm/ our children so we/I didnt do that, reflecting on what goodies life gave them and in comparison cherrished it: with tru ernasty said, what an interesting life you have had, so greatful I met you so I got the oportunity to see your life and happy about the meeting ….and not at all sadend about not doing the same for them selves. Beeing able to apreciate and celebrate your choices and their choices with what you bring into their life and back. Feel that Iam terriibly inadetcuat to articulate what i think….my fing spellcheck doesnt make it easier to express myself…..anyhoot I love some oldfolks zen (those who have no idea of zen but just are) and I so wish I could make them known and visible before they disappear. The true zen in terrible european/christian/opression….they where always there but they where not always allowed to be heard. Mehhhh spellceck throws my mind of thought….wish something is food for thought.

Hi Derek,

Thank you very much for the two latest articles you have shared.

Since you have mentioned that this is the topic for your upcoming book, I thought it might be useful for you to somehow include the generative capacity of language in your perspective.

In short, human beings don't just use language to describe the world, but also to create new realities.

This perspective was originally developed by J.L. Austin and John Searle (Stanford University) and is known as the theory of Speech Acts.

Although their works can be highly complex to grasp, there is a key distinction that I believe is useful for what you are proposing.

Essentially, although they can have the same gramtical structure, there are very important differences between "assertions" and "declarations" (and a belief is a type of declaration).

When we make an assertion, such as "the sky is blue" or "the earth is round", we are committing to the truth of what we are saying, which is verifiable by a separate person.

On the other hand, when we make a declaration, such as "I am an introvert" or "I am a healthy person", we are not committing to a verifiable truth, but to behaving consistently with that declaration in the future.

Similarly, a declaration such as "You are hired" or "You are guilty" creates a change of status on the object or person that we are referring to. We cannot say that a person is hired or guilty and then keep acting the same way we were before the declaration.

Therefore, declarations (and beliefs) open or close new possibilities and that is, I think why it's more important for them to be useful than true.

In fact, there is a circular relationship from Belief (as declaration) --> Action --> Results --> Belief (now supported by evidence)

On a related note, you might also want to review a book by Gloria Flores called "Learning to Learn and the Navigation of Moods". Moods (or "Emotional States") are more persistent than emotions or reactions and have a longer influence on our ability to learn and change.

I will be happy to continue and expand this conversation, if it's helpful for you.

An interesting, magical and useful way of thinking and recharging one emotions. Still, when applied universally could be a bit problematic, as we see today when certain folks cannot even define what a woman is. I must say their truth is not mine and I don't wish it to be no matter how hard they ply.

Bruce Doyle III has two books:
"Think Your Way to the Life You Want: A Guide to Understanding How Your Thoughts and Beliefs Create Your Life" and the first edition "Before You Think Another Thought: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding How Your Thoughts and Beliefs Create Your Life" (long titles - short, easy to read books)
I have been trying to catch myself and ask "is this believe legit? where did it come from? do I need to change it?" Operating under the premise that almost everything I was taught was wrong - in the sense of not being in my best interest and rather to keep me in a box - there are a lot of beliefs that need realigning. Thanks for sharing your always thought provoking posts. George from Vermont

Thoughts come from feelings. Feelings don't come from thoughts. That's what I heard.

My emotions tend to fluctuate parallel to my energy levels.. Not that i feel bad when I'm relaxed and ready for sleep, but I do feel badly when I indulge in excessive self-destructive & exhausting behaviors like drinking too much, for example. That's when my self-talk enters the area of "I can't." and "In your dreams." and "I've never been able to before so I can't now and I never will be able to."

Otherwise, when I avoid self-inflicted emotional falls, I levitate and fly high above all that cruel self-talk. I can. I do. I will. I am. I did. I walk on water.

Love this Derek!

I haven't thought about or re-read this, but I am reminded of the phrase "strong beliefs, loosely held." I forget the context. Applied here, yes, if it gets you there, sure, feel strongly about it and then let it go. I am wondering if this is also a narcissistic trait. Thank you for starting up the podcast! Hope all is well with you and the fam. Hope to hear from you soon!

This jive well with my Solution Focus Brief Therapy (SFBT) training
Always look for solutions not problems
Beliefs that empowers you will lead to solutions
Beliefs that paralyzes you will lead to problems

What do you want ????????

This is actually related to Pascal's Wager. I am not referring to the simple version that is so often misused but to the full Wager. Pascal was talking about a worldview, Christianity, but it can be used to examine any belief. The missing part of the wager in modern discussions is to take on the beliefs of the worldview as if you believed them. Spend time with others who believe them. Take part in activities represented by them. See from the inside what this life, if you came to believe them, would be. Immerse yourself in them. Whet people usually quote about Pascal's wager is the simple "if you choose this there is only infinite gain or no loss", but "if you choose that there is only no gain or infinite loss". That was only intended to point out the logic in "trying on" this belief and the life it claims. (from Pascal's Pensees)

I really like where you are going with this concept.
"Fun is always a legitimate and underrated goal." This statement truly lends itself to its own chapter or even it's own book.

Thanks as always for your insights!

Spot on. I fully agree with what you wrote. Beliefs -> Emotions -> Actions is a a very good way to build habits of any sorts. The point very often missed by pundits and gurus is that not all beliefs and emotions work for everyone, which way too often leads people to just studying and studying with little doing (i.e. action).

Derek.....you're one of the deepest AND logical people I know. You always know how to put thoughts into words which is something with which I usually have trouble. Thoughts are fluid and one usually runs right into another. In my experience, trying to collect a solid thought is like trying to catch smoke. I'm probably not very helpful with this one.

"Fun is always a legitimate and underrated goal." Wow, this is such a great reminder for me that I made it into a graphic to post on my Facebook page, @daysofgratitudebook. A few weeks ago I got my bicycle repaired after years of not using it. My thought was to ride for exercise, but as I pedal around at nearby parks, I've been reminded how much fun it is to ride. Your blog post and quote about fun made me decide that with my bike, fun is my goal!

I'm intrigued by this direction you are taking for your next book that "beliefs are means to improve action." Are you familiar with Byron Katie's books? Her process, called The Work, is all about examining beliefs to determine if what you think is true is helping you or causing you to suffer. And if it causing pain, how to use four questions to open your mind to other possibilities. 1. Is it true? 2. Do I absolutely know that it is true? 3. How do I react when I believe that thought? 4. Who would I be without that thought?

I love this Derek. I will employ it today and every day until I forget because I take on a new belief. GB in Portugal

"Emotions come from beliefs" - looks like a first principle you are operating from. I'd challenge whether that's true or at least whether that's complete. Beliefs absolutely impact emotions (per your post), however they don't originate emotions.
Examples: babies, emotions in new situations (before beliefs have formed), emotions are faster than thoughts.

I really liked this. There was one part that gave me pause: ‘Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you.’ Minds that are littered with ‘isms’ might misinterpret this idea.

If you haven't run across it yet, check out Chaos Magic, which has as one of its central tenets that belief is merely a tool, not an absolute. Chaos magicians adopt beliefs to achieve specific aims and don't view any belief as "true", only "useful".

A good introduction is Condensed Chaos: An Introduction to Chaos Magic by Phil Hine. It's been 20+ years since I read it, but I remember an exercise it described where you rolled a dice at the beginning of the week, which then determined a belief you needed to adopt that week.

Despite being called "magic", much of chaos magic I find is targeting core psychological principles of how our minds work, and finding techniques to unlock our potential using those principles.

Well, this sure isn't what I was expecting after reading A Daily Run. Now I wish I could take back what I wrote about it. This subject is MUCH more interesting than what I thought A Daily Run was about.

In my world, FUN is the main motivator for everything. Curious how you'll weave it throughout your next book. "How to choose beliefs that create more 'healthy' fun."

I do resonate with this.

Here are some things it reminds me of

Back when I played games competitively, before every game I would psych myself up and think I was the best player ever. But after every game I would believe it was all my fault to try and improve my game and think about what I could do better. Of course deep down I knew the truth was nuanced and I was never the best or worst player but I found that using beliefs to psyche me up would get me confident and my intuition flowing.

I also went to a “self-help” group event with 6 sessions over 3 months which involved some group activities, occasional sharing by the “guru” and I noticed the guru tried to inculcate great habits and outside the box thinking to improve performance of group members. He would do it occcasioanlly by quoting neuroscience and behavioral psychology with extreme certainty. There were definitely times when he quoted things that were probably not 100% scientifically accurate, e.g. left/ right brain thinking types / us using only 3% of our brainpower.

But it was interesting to see many members actually have success with these frameworks. It wasn’t about the factuality of the information but much rather what that information make them feel and the behaviors they started to adopt -> clean their room/ have difficult conversations etc.

Having said that. It’s interesting that I don’t act this way and actively switch up my beliefs in my everyday life. I remember a great rant by Seth godin in which he described much of our decisions are made by the stories we tell ourselves, so why not actively switch up the stories.

I personally am afraid of unintended consequences of telling myself the wrong stories. If I could program myself with a belief with a set amount of time I could believe it for I’d do it.

Maybe something to help explanations would be a list of beliefs ans possible results of that belief. E.g a belief that sleeping after 9am causes skin cancer -> sleeping earlier

Or perhaps a parable of someone with extremely ludicrous beliefs with great outcomes.

Recently heard Kanye Wests interview with Lex Friedman and there were some strange beliefs there but he is unquestionably productive..

You're using the word "belief" in a confusing way. If I say I "believe" something, I can't choose not to believe it, or vice versa. I simply don't believe the earth is flat. If I tried to believe that, it wouldn't work, certainly not well enough for the desired belief to affect my actions. I simply believe that driving off a cliff is likely to kill me. I can choose to imagine otherwise, but no matter how much I try, I don't actually believe it. Pretending or wanting to believe my car can fly is never going to make me feel comfortable driving off a cliff.

You talk about "picturing" a pot of gold or a tiger. I'd call that imagination or "acting as if", not "believing" that there is a pot of gold or a tiger. You talk about "picturing" futures that make you quit or that motivate you. I'd call that hope or imagination, not belief. You talk about believing you're bad or good at something to motivate yourself to learn or to generate courage. I'd call that focusing on one aspect or another of the full truth.

If you truly believe you're bad at, say, juggling, no effort of "choosing to believe" will make you into a master juggler, though again you could "act as if" you're good at it and do an act where every time a ball drops you're astonished at the bad luck of the master juggler. But that's not belief, that's acting.

Why would you use the word "belief" for these things?

Hi ,Derek and to everyone!Beliefs or the way we perceive things,life events,must remain flexible,since change is the only aspect we can be sure of.This way we can remain curious and keep on learning and improving.It's also important to learn to let go,of past beliefs,goals,preconceived notions,etc.I read/heard about this from multiple sources and it resonated with me.We thought/acted about something/in a certain way ,at some moment in time with the knowledge/experience that we had back then.Since our experience has increased ,I guess it's a good idea improve the way we think and deal with certain situations and admit that in the past we were wrong.

Running with certain ideas or pictures in your head to run better, faster or a longer distance is a nice metaphor for doing things in life with certain believes in your head. Believing in things, you can be able to move mountains and great things (and unfortunately bad things, too) were done, because people believed in something, that gave them strength and motivation.
It is certainly right that sometimes we need to change and to adapt the things we believe in. Yesterday, the idea of a tiger may have been what helped me, today it may be the pot of gold. Nonetheless, I think that it may be difficult sometimes to adapt my ideas as humans have the tendency to stick to ideas and habits that were helpful in the past. If the idea of a tiger made me run faster yesterday, I will probably stick to it today. We often do not see how we‘d need to change ideas or which new idea may be better than the old one. That‘s what makes it complicated to adapt sometimes.

Besides being a foundation to play, I think that this technique you are pointing to is also a foundation to the best of what some call "inner engineering".

However, I believe that the true does have a place in this practice. Starting from what we can, without any error, know as true, we can get rid of a lot of clutter and free a lot of energy.

But believing what's true is in itself a challenge.

And there is also this gigantic chunk of detailed reality that we know almost nothing about, and that's where I see the largest positive potential of making new beliefs.

We can of course also apply this to the past and the future and choose beliefs depending on how they make us feel and act in the present.

I'll keep thinking about this for a while; my next question is:
How does this practice relate to Karma?

Humans are very easy to brainwash, as one learns by observing the world and reading history. What you are proposing here is to use this fact for a positive end instead of a negative one. That is, we can each use the fact that our minds are gullible to adopt beliefs that will help us, but do so in a way that is temporary, flexible, and subject to change as conditions change. In other words, we can consciously trick ourselves for our own good, provided we do so with awareness and with an experimental approach.

This is all well worth thinking about, and above all, experimenting with in our own individual lives.

Hi Derek, I've been doing an experiment with my understanding of the idea you're sharing. I had too many adverse childhood events, never got to be cool or have a girlfriend, and have had dysthymia for almost 35 yrs. Not surprisingly, I failed Timothy Ferriss's NOBNOM challenge miserably. But I've been holding in mind the fantasy idea that I have a loving wife and child that depend on my strength and discipline. NOBNOM has been a cakewalk using that fantasy to check myself. I don't know what to make of it. Thanks

Hi there Derek,

…reacting to some quotes from this article.

--- "we choose beliefs because they’re useful, not true."---

Yeah, I think most people do. It's easy and logical that people adopt a belief when it is useful or motivational to them. But people have to be careful using this way of thinking because this can lead someone to adopt "double standards" in how they see themselves, how they judge others, and also in decision making.

As an individual, you can believe whatever you want (even lies) and get away with it. But in working as a group, things will get complicated.

Our beliefs motivate us, and make us work hard to succeed in our endeavors. But choosing beliefs that are “useful” but “not true”, is in a way the same as believing a “convenient lie”. There’s no admiration in that. One should be very cautious with this way of thinking. An honest person can become corrupt by this way of thinking. I personally don’t recommend it.

Quote…
--“drop beliefs that aren’t helping you anymore”--.

A belief that’s not useful anymore is probably because that belief wasn’t true in the first place, I guess.

A lie can be useful or not to the person believing it. But, the truth is always beneficial to the person believing it. Because every decision that person makes going forward will be based on truth (like things should be).

Quote…
--“Fun is always a legitimate and underrated goal”--.

Yes, fun is a much undervalued goal. One should be enjoying the journey towards the goal, and not solely focus, hoping and working on the conclusion of things.

Quote…
--“Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you”--.

This could be ok if you are going “solo”, as long as your decisions don’t jeopardize others because of your beliefs.

On the other hand, in my opinion, this is not the best advice. Especially when it comes to groups. This is why the world knows so many problems with/between religions, politicians, and sometimes whole nations. Because when groups don’t care whether something is true or not, they tend to act with injustice towards others.

Quote…
--“To say that one belief is the best — that one is right and others are wrong”--.

Perhaps the answer lies in… what would parents advice their children?

People can take care of their health, feel fine and live happy lives.
People can neglect their health, take medicine, feel fine and live happy lives.

In both cases the people lived happy lives and so they had “the same” outcome. But, which one will someone advice their child?

There’s a lot to say on this subject but, trying to keep it short.

Great post, thanks for sharing.

We all know we have false beliefs due to our innocence/naivete and the influence of both propaganda and paradigm blindness. There exists a philosophical assertion that that which is true yields peace and that which is false yields turmoil. It may be fruitful to investigate our turmoil-yielding beliefs to uncover more life-affirming peace-yielding edifying intellectual positions worthy of believing in. This isn't make-believe. This is mental health.

Great

This is pure gold! I keep reading again and each time I love it.

At first, I couldn't relate. Then I recalled when I was named associate creative director and had much more contact with clients, doing presentations, etc. Nothing in my life experience had prepared me for this. No family business, no successful entrepreneurs, no managerial exposure. So I decided to "play the role" of a confident creative. I was actually scared to death, but it worked. My designer partner on the project thought I was so confident and put together. I told him the truth. He was amazed. Then, over a couple of years, I became that confident creative.

So, long story short, I do indeed agree with your thoughts on how your life can be changed by a different belief. You make yourself what/who you want to be.

Perhaps one of the only truths is that every belief has at least some level of truth to itk3o> {otherwise why would someone believe it?} If I told you the strange characters above happened because my phone fell over onto my thumbs would that be believable?
I heard there is a language that infers levels of truth: hearsay, witnessed, etc. Forgetting what it was called ATM. When in Rome...

I like the idea of "acting as if." In other words, imagination is the driver for our activities. I also agree that some beliefs don't need to be "true" in order to be effective. In this way, I think this pretend-belief technique is a good focusing tool to have in the toolbox. (Kind of in the same way that imagining a string is pulling your head up to the sky can help you with keeping your back straight and not slouching.)

Where I have trouble is that actions don't simply come from beliefs (by way of emotions), but that real actions are really EXPRESSIONS of belief. The real belief is not that there is a pot of gold at the end of the run, but that running itself will allow the runner to reach this (imaginary) pot of gold at the end of the run.

The real belief isn't that you think you are "bad" at performing a skill, but that practicing (and continuing to practice) will allow you to perform the skill at a desired level. Similarly, the real belief isn't that you are "good" at performing a skill, but that moving forward with a performance (probably public) will end up fine and there is no need to continue to worry.

This relates to a previous post you had about how your actions reveal your values. For me, your actions also reveal your beliefs. They reveal what you think is possible and necessary for the moment.

In this way, we would have to distinguish between "real" beliefs and "pretend" beliefs. Your real beliefs (just like your real values) are revealed through your actions. Your pretend beliefs, on the other hand, are simply tools to help guide and motivate you in executing your actions more effectively.

Thus, learning is still important because you need to have a realistic understanding of what it will likely take to achieve something. Simply imagining a pot of gold at the end of the run may help in motivating you to continue the run, but it won't inform you of what skills are necessary to continue running (e.g. breath-control, pacing, etc.).

Hope this makes sense. Thanks for posting! I think it's a great tool to use.

Hey Derek,

This post reminds me of Jung's concept of the individuated person who can step in and out of roles, or wear different personas, at will. What we believe triggers the persona we adopt, the roles we play, and the scripts we run.

“Any path we choose is arbitrary, but in our choice we shape the world as it is for us. ...Non-ambiguity is the shaping force of reality.”
-The Crack in the Cosmic Egg by Joseph Chilton Pearce

Finite and Infinite Games by James P Carse that talks a lot about the roles we play ('masks we wear' is the term Carse uses) and how the masks are purposeful and allow us to engage in different 'games.' The big danger we face is not being conscious of the masks we wear and thus, unable to take them off.

Hi Derek,

Choosing a different belief sounds very difficult. Wouldn't it be much easier to sincerely question the belief you're dealing with, in order to open yourself up to trying other ideas/strategies/approaches?

Thanks for keeping everyone thinking about new ideas.

Nick

i agree theoretically, but i do find it hard to change my beliefs, especially when they have been stuck on me for a while. would be good to also know how to switch out old lousy beliefs with better, more useful ones.

The one truly 'original' quote I've come up with over the years is this: "What you believe is your truth!"

With that said, I recently took a course on epistemology - called 'Theories of Knowledge'. Which addresses HOW we know WHAT we know.

It started with seeking clarity on the word 'Know'. What does it mean, really? And when/how can you say you really know something.

There was quite a bit of pretty intricate and tricky stuff in it, but everything stems from a core premise... that there IS indeed something we could call 'truth', which is factual, verifiable, and remains constant across observership.

And 'knowledge' comes from a process - there are many of them, based on what theory/approach you use/follow - that lets you sift out the non-factual from the truth.

When it's impossible to determine objectively whether or not something can be 'truth', then we devolve to equating beliefs as being true... which may well turn out later to be false.

A great example case study is a person hurrying to a meeting he believes he's late for - and glancing at a clock in the outer office, sees he still has 5 minutes to make it. And that's actually true - he's in time for a 3 'o'clock meeting. Except... unknown to him, the clock is broken - and stuck at 2:55.

So twice a day, it'll be 'right'. The time it displays will be 'true'. And he happened to see it just then - and believing it's a working clock, figures he's in time (which he is!).

The point, however, is that he lacks 'knowledge'... since the premise upon which his knowledge is founded is itself flawed (the broken clock!)

My takeaway from that example was kind of like what you detailed here.

On many occasions, you won't be able to say for sure if a belief is true. So rather than being stuck on whether or not it is, why not stick to a more practical angle - of whether or not such a belief is useful?

You've made this even more fluid.

Allowed for these 'beliefs' to keep shifting and changing, based on a moment's needs.

Which is an even more effective way to make things work in your favor, I'd guess.

My only concern would be to carry this logic too far and to extremes - and begin arguing there isn't ANY such thing as 'truth'... and that EVERYTHING is little else than a fondly held belief.

That could lead to unanchored meanderings, and needless arguments over the very existence of any sort of 'truth' at all. An end that may be as disruptive and unproductive as the 'problem' you're trying to solve here.

Which brings up another quote I shared just last week (which I suspect is my 2nd ever 'original' too):

"Don't become the problem you're trying to solve!"

:)

Hey Derek

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts - inspiring and helpful!

Regarding choosing your beliefs to drive desired actions:

I understand the logic and can see how the idea works in practice. I try to something similar; e.g. dissect my thoughts and get rid of non-useful ones. I agree that focusing on helpful thoughts can lead to a desired action.

I hadn't thought about picking and changing BELIEFs before.
But I think it's an interesting thought, that perhaps these are beliefs.

A few questions that come to mind though:


How can you believe something if you don't think it's true?
If you start by accepting that beliefs are not true how do you then convince yourself that e.g. you are a great public speaker when you need it?
I.e. in order for this belief to be effective, there must be some truth to it.

Probably, the truth is you are both a great public speaker that can flip the switch at gametime and to the occasion but in downtime you still have things you personally want to work on to become even better.

This reminds me of Bret Weinstein's concept of "Metaphorical Truths".
medium.com/@pratikstephen/metaphorical-truths-cf194ba57a50

This is a very interesting and thought-provoking topic.

It has the obvious philosophical flaw of refuting (is that the right word?) itself:
If there's no such thing as a "true belief", than the belief that there is no such thing as a "true belief" might itself be not true - making the opposite true.

But apart from mental acrobatics like this, I can instantly think of several issues in my own personal life where "simply" adopting the opposite belief from the one I currently hold might improve my situation instantly. If it only was so simple ^^

Thanks for sharing some interesting ways of considering various ideas. Though for me, I have a problem with: 'Don’t care whether something is true — only whether it works for you.'

Why: for me, a verifiable truth has more value than a non-verifiable truth.

I know that if I pick up and throw a small stone high into the air, that's it's going to come back down again, no matter how much I may believe it will ... say ... launch into Earth's orbit :-). So over time, and through the similar experiences of others, I can verify my stone-throwing fun experiment. Belief won't make any difference to the outcome (at least not yet :-)

In addition, I'm sufficiently satisfied that it seems some people can launch rockets into space and those rockets don't come back down to Earth (unless something has gone wrong or it's a planned 'landing'). And once up there, our rockets follow rules that are different to us here on Earth.

The difference of course between throwing a stone skyward and a successful launch of a space rocket is knowledge, skills, tools, testing, power -- and some verification.

One irony is that before we knew rockets could take off from Earth into space, countless people had to first wonder -- and perhaps hope -- if it could be done. Perhaps that wonder and hope mix is a form of belief. So maybe belief about something can indeed come before a verifiable truth. Yet the first without the last seems like comparing the shadow of a rose to delighting in an actual rose in bloom basking in summer's glory.

Without verifiable truths, we're sloshing about in the land of dogma, myths, imagination, fiction -- all good ways to spend some time though in the right settings :-) Put another way, no amount of wishing or hoping will fix a disease like ebola -- for an ebola vaccine, many special people worked on the problem. Without testing with verifiable truths, no vaccines get created.

Verifiable truths have allowed humans to progress almost beyond belief (another irony).

For sure, everyone alive has a lot to learn. Some of our most thoughtful and classically knowledgable people suggest to us that the sum-total of human knowledge is but a pin-prick on an infinitesimally large canvas. Thankfully, such realism doesn't seem to put off the human spirit and desire to solve problems.

What we know -- or think we know -- is relative to our experience perhaps. It seems we're all on the same journey (life) but all our paths must be different because we're individuals. I can verify that since as far as I am aware, there's only one of me -- probably the same for 8billion+ other humans too. :-)

Knowing that we carry so many delusions and concretised concepts, as you are saying, Zen Buddhism encourages the question "Is that so" to always be carried in the mind, when we are experiencing our own thoughts and also responding to others.

Acknowledging my teachers Thich Nhat Hanh and Eckhart Tolle.

Thanks for your interesting writing.

Thanks. Beautiful post

Hi Derek,

as somebody who's spent so much time struggling with "true" in an almost existential like crisis, this article is incredibly helpful and liberating.

Hello, everyone!
There is a man named Srikumar Rao, he talks about mental models and constructing "reality" (choosing beliefs), that work for your goals. "Are you ready to succeed" and "Happiness at Work" are his books. Interesting ones, i internalized them for several years. Concepts resonate with Derek's article.

Of course!

I've been on a year long journey of suffering where I was met with terrible inner challenges that shook my very core.

What I have found are two psychological modalities that do exactly that - question what is true, and believing in what is useful.

The first is Somatic Experiencing, by Peter Levine. It's all about our body-brain and how our emotions stem from our physical sense more often than from our cognitive analysis (which is often a narrative to explain sensations). And of course - we fear because we tremble, not tremble because we fear. Peter Levine questions the usefulness of explicit memory (in his book Trauma and Memory), claiming that what we remember isn't important (and often unreliable) and that we should 're-negotiate' past events. Often with imagination.

Very similarly, Internal Family Systems is a modality based on the notion that we are not one single entity/self (a notion that is now gaining more ground in neurophysiology and cognitive sciences), but rather made of parts, which are somewhat separate personalities that take over in certain situations ("I was beside myself", "I don't know what came over me"...). I believe it is one of the most revolutionary and important advances in modern psychology and can be fantastically useful to self healing and wellbeing in general. And, in what cannot be a coincidence, IFS has a practice called 're-doing', where you connect with an exile part of yourself, and you imagine an alternative scenario for what actually happened, and through that 'unburden' that part and rescue it. It's incredible what this can accomplish and wonderful to see imagination being put to such good use.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” (Einstein)

This is such a great concept! Please do tell us how to adopt new beliefs and discard old ones.

Let failure or success direct you, not belief.

Something I learned from a friend who is a therapist...
Beliefs impact Feelings, Feelings impact Actions, Actions impact Outcomes, and those Outcomes impact Beliefs.

One thing that I have noticed about this is that Beliefs, Feelings, Actions, and Outcomes are all likely to reinforce themselves.

Here are a few examples.
The belief that I am good at singing leads me to sing more often.
The feeling of loneliness leads me to isolate more and be more lonely.
Regularly going to the gym makes it more likely that I will go to the gym in the future.
Calling a child 'bad' makes it more likely that they will act out and get called 'bad' again in the future.

It is not true 100% of the time that things reinforce themselves, but this cycle helps me understand the world around me better.

I've given this so much thought over the years. I believe (there's that word again) that one of the greatest superpowers of humans is our imagination and leveraging that imagination to our advantage by changing our behavior, actions, and motivations. I can't wait to read this book.

I love this post. I reminds me of the book - The Biology of Belief. In the book, the author, Bruce Lipton, argues that our biology (cellular structure) literally changes with our believes. You may want to check that out if you have not done so. I would love to see if you can weave that into a story. Can't wait for this book to come out. Thanks for sharing!

I love pursuing the truth. So I can't see not valuing it, although I get the perspective of being mindful where you should put your trust, especially if it is someone else's truth. I know we are all wrong in our concept of truth until we actually achieve finding it, which for most of us will be never, or a long way down the road.

But I like your take on externally using our idea of belief to make us better. I think it is a great practice to first know ourself, then find ways to trick ourself to do things that are good for us. Doing it with fun makes the journey worthwhile.

Love your work Derek, keep it up!

Love this! This is making me feel very good, because I've been reading a TON of this kind of stuff over the past couple of years and really reflecting on what the best way to live is and what kind of pragmatic tools one can use. I came up with the idea that one should do a regular "Belief Audit" So it's awesome to read this and see that I was headed in a similar direction! It occurred to me that we carry old beliefs around like ghosts without really holding them up to the light and asking what is the underlying belief here and do I still have it? There is then a dissonance that's hard to pin down that you can then attribute to something else - like you're losing your drive or something, but really what is your deep-down beliefs have changed and your conscious mind hasn't caught up or recognized that. Here is what I put down a couple of months ago:
BELIEF AUDIT
WHAT I USED TO BELIEVE BUT NO LONGER BELIEVE
Being a film/TV actor will be bliss

WHAT I WANT TO BELIEVE BUT MIGHT NEED A PIECE OF EVIDENCE TO BELIEVE
That I am on my way to starting the RIGHT business for myself, and that it’s not that I am half-assed in my approach, it’s that I am taking small steps and questioning and refining based on several factors - i.e. it’s no knock on my ‘will’ or ‘effort’ if I don’t act like a bulldozer, it’s that I’m refining a concept, a structure that will provide me with the kind of things that I need in life

WHAT I INCREASINGLY BELIEVE
Quitting a fulltime job was an impulsive act that I paid the price for; staying in this fulltime job gives me the structure to have a life that’s halfway decent which I can then improve upon; going to London then to L.A. and so on was not productive and I wasn’t able to actually GET INTO anything because I was too all over the place - I have less time here but I’m more able to GET INTO things because of the stability

I think I need to do another audit because I no longer believe that last one exactly.

THanks for this site, it's great!

You are training your brain cells to contain pure information (as it’s mostly relevant to you), and constantly evolve (as you are experimenting). You will learn a lot, but have to design a lot of new goals if you can reach to the dead end of a goal very fast.

Also make sure you bring your improved brain power to your body. After all, our brain is designed to work with our body closely, so simulating body with new brain information is important.

I love this. It made me wonder if it's rooted in any science. Is this William James' pragmatism? Or something else?
A mix of things, mostly personal experience, but learning more about the philosophies of those who have thought of these things before. — Derek

I think the concept "USEFUL NOT TRUE" is a great way to to understand things in the limit. It makes you more creative and can avoid the existential crisis that comes from information overload.

Adopting that type of thinking allows for oneself to potentially live a better life, but MAN, it is so difficult to challenge your beliefs.

I like how you frame emotions as the pin-point of all actions. -With every action, there is a reaction.

*Side Note* On Cognitive Biases, Maybe being blind to some things allows for you to go for deeper into the things that excite you.

You might like Object-Oriented Ontology by Graham Harman. I would describe this post as an application of one of the book's premises, which is that everything is metaphor. At least, that was my interpretation. Equally, you may read the book and it might not work for you. But in 10 years it might.
Thanks for the recommendation! — Derek

I have been battling with psychosis for years and remember when the doctor explained my psychotic thoughts to me at our first meeting. Just like that, thoughts that I had believed about my brain being hacked and that people were out to distract me disappeared instantly. It was literally like taking off a pair of shades. I didn't think it was possible to ever relapse and was warned that psychosis does relapse sometimes and it did. In one day,psychosis returned as if it never left and has been there all along.During the three years between my first episodes of psychosis and the relapse, I was shocked at how fast my world view could change. I remember the bar fights I would get into, all the nights I spent drinking(even at my job, I thought they knew I was drunk at work and the manager was cool with it because he didn't agree with the mindhacking... until I finally got caught and fired lol) and how I had to drop out of University because some professors were also in on it. People who had psychosis in the past know exactly what your talking about here.

my believes always focus on how to make money but now i change my believes to focus on fun of work

I am sorry, but is it possible to choose beliefs? For example, How can someone choose to believe in God when he needs help, and after getting 'help', he can choose not to believe in Him? I think, this is impossible. If it is still possible, I think, that would be selfish. Or didn't I get the meaning of the story?