Every time you make a decision a potentially powerful system of beliefs are set into motion. If the decisions you make are positive and unlimiting, a foundation of support and encouragement is created that aid you in moving forward in life achieving goals and dreams. If the decisions you make are negative and limiting; fueled by fear, doubt, worry and panic, then the foundation being built in your mind will inhibit your goals and dreams.

The decisions we make are powerful because they are based on experience. An event occurs, a situation arises and we come to conclusions about what happened. As we give these decisions power through repetitive thought, emotion and focused energy, they become hardwired in our mind. The decisions take root and become beliefs. And then we wonder why the same thing keeps happening to us over and over again. We ask ourselves, "Why me? Why do I keep attracting the same type of people, situations, and events in my life?" The decisions and beliefs we hold so strongly to, create self-fulfilling prophecies; patterns that repeat themselves again and again until they are broken and re-engineered at their core.

Here's an example. One day at work you hear rumblings of a take over, jobs lost and downsizing. Within seconds your subconscious mind starts forming conclusions and decisions based on the news. Conclusions like: "I'm going to lose my job. It's hard to find work. I'll lose my house. I won't be able to provide for my family. My life will never be the same." Emotions like panic, worry and fear arise. Behaviors are created such as paranoia in the office, a turn to substance for comfort, going behind people's back to get a leg up. The end result is low self-confidence, stress, illness, penny pinching and most likely you lose your job.

Alternatively if you walked into work one day, heard the same news and drew conclusions such as: "No matter what I will be OK. I can handle anything that comes my way. I will always be able to provide for my family. I am smart, talented and able to find work. My abilities are in demand." Then these decisions and beliefs will propel you into a whole different arena of emotions, behaviors and ultimately results.

Here's another example of the power of decisions. At any age you may find yourself in a situation where you are in love, in a committed relationship whether dating or married. Then one day your partner makes other choices and leaves. You are hurt and wounded and in that state start making snap, reactive subconscious decisions like: "Nobody loves me. I'm not pretty enough to be loved. I'm not good enough. Relationships always end up in disaster. I'll never let myself be hurt again." These sweeping statements and decisions begin to form your core beliefs. Then you wonder why you can never have a successful, fulfilling long term relationship.

James Ray the popular teacher of The Secret says, "Your current situation is the direct result of your past thoughts, decisions and actions. If you look at your current situation and make decisions about who you are and what you can have based on those results, then you will repeat the same thoughts, decisions and perhaps even actions that got you where you are today. What this guarantees is that you will get the same results again and end up with more of whatever you have now."

What decisions and conclusions have you formed that are holding you back in life? Breaking the pattern of negative self fulfilling prophecy is as simple as changing your thoughts and beliefs.

Esther Bartkiw is a Certified Associate Practitioner of Core Belief Engineering, a powerful belief change therapy. Contact her to arrange for a complimentary consultation at 905-630-4471 or esther@changefromwithin.ca. Printed in the March 2007 Edition of the Bronte Villager, Oakville, Ontario.