Our beliefs about ourselves and our environment, define our behaviour, relationships and performance, however, our beliefs are made up of complex, random and subconscious triggers; many of them are irrational or simply not true, some serve us well whereas some do not...
For example...
During and after WW2, the indigenous populations of the Melanesian Islands witnessed both Japanese and American forces fighting the battle of the Pacific.
On some islands the Americans built runways and military camps with 1000's of troops being stationed there; they witnessed at first hand the technology of the American forces including radio, aircraft and weaponry.
They also saw trained men marching in uniform, performing bizarre rituals and organised "meetings" - the clear consequence of which was that food, cargo and supplies were delivered to the men by planes from the sky...
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic..." - Arthur C. Clarke
When the battle for the Pacific was over, the Americans left and took all their equipment and rituals with them.
So impressed were the locals however, that they decided that if they simply recreated the equipment, rituals and uniforms of the Soldiers, they too would receive food, cargo and supplies from the planes in the sky...
And so the Cargo Cults of the Melanesian Islands were born. Radio masts, planes and weapons were built out of wood, the uniforms and marching rituals were copied in the hope that the "Gods" would return and supply them with the supplies they needed...
Prayers would be chanted into bamboo radio sets, fires would be set along the runways and the letters USA were painted onto the chests of tribesman marching whilst holding onto bamboo models of M1 Garand rifle...
Photo - Paul Raffaele.
Unfortunately, the gods never responded, but because the natives had evidence that the rituals worked, they kept going in the belief that one day they gods would return and save them...
As it happened, during peace time anthropologists and scientists visited the islands to explore the flora and fauna - and they found the native peoples performing strange rituals in line with their Cargo Cult beliefs.
To prevent them from starving, the scientists called for help. So the planes came back and delivered medical, food and equipment supplies; this simply proved to the natives that their prayers were not in vain and confirmed their belief in their rituals and icons...
Unfortunately, the gods never responded, but because the natives had evidence that the rituals worked, they kept going in the belief that one day they gods would return and save them...
As it happened, during peace time anthropologists and scientists visited the islands to explore the flora and fauna - and they found the native peoples performing strange rituals in line with their Cargo Cult beliefs.
To prevent them from starving, the scientists called for help. So the planes came back and delivered medical, food and equipment supplies; this simply proved to the natives that their prayers were not in vain and confirmed their belief in their rituals and icons...
We may think that is ridiculous...
Easy for us to look on with scorn and mock these people for making Gods out of the United States Army and Air-force; but to them it was and is real, in fact it was so real that their prayers were eventually answered by the return of the planes from the sky...
However...
In reality, many of the beliefs we hold are equally if not more ridiculous. The evidence we choose to substantiate them equally selective, but also equally seductive and compelling.
There are some "common" beliefs that we hold that define our lives, the challenge is of course, they might not actually be true...
- I'm not attractive - compared to what and compared to whom...?
- I'm not Lucky- who told you that...?
- I can't - the most limiting belief in the world..
- I don't know - no one does until they do it...
- I'm scared - everyone is from time to time...
How do we support these beliefs...?
Simple - we find evidence to support them. We think of our history, the stories we were told, the experiences we had and the conditioning we received. Then, although we may test the beliefs, we look for more evidence that they were true all along - if you believe you are unlucky and you go to a casino, guess what will happen...
Simple - we find evidence to support them. We think of our history, the stories we were told, the experiences we had and the conditioning we received. Then, although we may test the beliefs, we look for more evidence that they were true all along - if you believe you are unlucky and you go to a casino, guess what will happen...
The way round this is equally simple - look for different sets of evidence to support a new set of beliefs...
First choose the beliefs you would actually want to be true for you, then construct evidence to validate and support that new belief system; find people that support you, opportunities that empower you and knowledge that inspires you.
Then, as the natives found when the scientists returned to their islands, your beliefs will become manifest to you - you are a result of whatever you choose to believe...
Make sure you choose your beliefs carefully...
David Holland MBA is the Founder and CEO of Results Rules OK, a Business Coaching, Training and Publications Company with offices in France, Luxembourg and the UK...
To find out more about working with David as you Business Coach, Executive Coach or Team Trainer - just drop him a note to davidholland@resultsrulesok.com for an introductory and complimentary discussion that just could change your life, your business and your results...
If you'd like to come to one of our Events to meet David, the Team and some of his Clients, then check out the website HERE - we look forward to seeing you and hearing from you...
No comments:
Post a Comment