The Hidden Script Controlling Your Life

Today I want to talk to you about mind control. It’s totally real!

But before you go running to the kitchen to make yourself a tinfoil hat, this type of mind control is already happening. (They already got to you. lol)

I’m talking about the deep-seated ideas you have about your talents, self-worth, and potential that were put there by someone else. Has someone ever told you that you’re not good at something so you gave up trying, even though you really wanted to be good at it? That person created a limiting belief about yourself that you carry with you every day.

That limiting belief, and the negative thoughts that come with it, could be the hidden script that’s operating outside of your conscious awareness, influencing your decisions and impeding your personal and professional growth.

The Power of Your Hidden Script

Did you know your brain processes up to 60,000 thoughts a day and that, according to a study by the Cleveland Clinic, 80% of those thoughts are negative?

Does that mean you’re a negative person?

Not necessarily. It’s not even something you can control. Our brains have been hardwired since prehistoric times to focus on the negative. While this “negativity bias” was useful for our ancestors who needed to avoid a lot of things with big teeth that wanted to make a snack out of them, today, this pre-conditioning can trap us in a cycle of negative thinking.

It’s also interesting to note that, according to the National Science Foundation, 95% of your daily thoughts are repetitive. So, not only are you unintentionally having negative thoughts, but you’re subconsciously repeating them to yourself over and over. This negative mental chatter forms the hidden script that dictates your decisions and actions without you even knowing it.

But where do these negative thoughts and limiting beliefs about yourself come from?

The Origins of Limiting Beliefs

A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry shows that most of our core beliefs, including what we believe about ourselves, are formed by the age of seven. These beliefs are heavily influenced by parents, teachers, and early life experiences.

If you grew up being told you were stupid, worthless, or lazy, chances are that was programmed into your brain and you’ve carried it into adulthood. Even as you try to overwrite your negative programming with positive thoughts, your unresolved limiting beliefs can still be rattling around deep in your subconscious.

Addressing limiting beliefs is imperative for personal growth and success. These beliefs, often instilled by others, can stop you from taking big steps in your career, trying new things, or living the life you truly want.

When you overcome your limiting beliefs you’ll open up new opportunities and gain the self-confidence you need to pursue your passions and achieve your most ambitious goals.

Here’s how to start…

Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

The first step to breaking free is identifying the limiting beliefs that create your hidden script. Try to notice the recurring negative thoughts you have about yourself. Do any of these sound familiar?

• “I’m not good enough.”
• “I’ve never been good at that so there’s no point.”
• “I wish I was smart enough to do that.”
• “I’m not attractive enough.”
• “I’m too shy to speak up.”

Challenge the Narrative

Once you’ve identified your most prominent limiting beliefs, it’s time to challenge them. Ask yourself:

• Is this belief based on fact or fear?
• When did I start believing this about myself?
• What evidence do I have that contradicts this belief?
• What would I say to a friend who has this same belief?
• How does holding onto this belief serve me, and what does it cost me?

Rewrite Your Script

Now it’s time to replace those limiting beliefs with empowering truths. Here are some examples:

• “I am capable and strong.”
• “Success is within my reach.”
• “I deserve all the good things in life.”
• “I am a quick learner and adapt easily.”
• “I trust myself to make the right decisions.”

Set small, attainable goals based on your new truths. For example, if you struggle with the belief that you’re not good enough, set manageable tasks that allow you to demonstrate to yourself that you are capable of what you want to achieve. Each success will reinforce the new, positive script you’re writing.

This process of cognitive restructuring is proven to boost your self-esteem while also rewiring your brain to focus on positive outcomes instead of looking for the negative.

Action Step

Journal Your Thoughts: Write down any recurring negative self-talk as it occurs. This practice will help you become more aware of the patterns in your thinking.

Identify Triggers: Pay attention to what situations, people, or tasks trigger your negative self-talk. Understanding these triggers can help you respond differently in the future.

Challenge Negative Thoughts: When you catch a negative thought, ask yourself if it’s based on fact or fear. Is there any evidence that supports or contradicts this negative thought?

Reframe Your Thoughts: Replace negative thoughts with positive, empowering alternatives. If you notice yourself thinking, “I can’t do this,” reframe it to, “I can learn how to do this.”

As you go through this process it will become easier to pick up on your repetitive negative thoughts. And as you start to deal with your more surface-level limiting beliefs, you’ll be able to more easily access the more deep-rooted ones that you may not even be aware of.

Rewriting your mental script is a continuous process, but by consistently challenging and replacing negative thoughts with positive beliefs, you can break the invisible chains holding you back so you can live a life of freedom and possibility.

It’s time to stop letting other people control your thoughts. No one deserves the power to tell you what you’re not capable of. You are capable of what you say you are.