GET STUFF DONE

This might be a bit controversial, but it’s worth thinking about. The ideas in the image only scratch the surface, but they come from a powerful lesson shared by Rob Dial on The Mindset Mentor podcast.

Rob explains how the things we’re told as children often become ingrained in our minds, so much so that they shape our identity without us even realising it. Imagine these beliefs as a shirt you were handed as a child. You’ve worn it for years without questioning if it even fits anymore. It’s old, faded, and completely out of sync with who you really are. But because it’s always been there, you’ve never thought to take it off.

The Power of Words We Carry

A child who’s repeatedly told they’re ugly may carry that belief into adulthood, no matter how untrue it is. That belief quietly dictates their actions, making them shrink in social settings, avoid eye contact, and doubt themselves. It’s not reality, it’s just an outdated, hand-me-down belief they never challenged.

And here’s the real kick in the proverbials: You’re still wearing the dirty shirt someone else put on you. But only you can take it off.

Want more confidence? Start telling yourself you are confident. Want to feel attractive? Look in the mirror and tell yourself you are good-looking. It might feel silly at first, but the way you see yourself is exactly how others will start to see you too.

Breaking Free from the Lies You Were Told

Maybe you grew up hearing that obesity “runs in your family.” Sure, genetics play a role, but often, it’s habits, not heredity that get passed down. It might not be that obesity runs in your family, but the fact that no one runs in your family. (Yeah, dad joke…sorry!)

I get it. I’ve been a landscape gardener for a few years, always on my feet, always moving and carrying things and yet, I carry extra weight. Why? Because I love biscuits and sweets, and I eat more than my three sons combined. That habit? It no doubt started in childhood, where there was always a stash of treats in the house. And now, I’ve carried it into adulthood. Can I break that cycle? Probably but, I’m dreading it….perhaps if I commit to it on here it has more chance of becoming reality.

But I’ve seen first hand how small changes can make a huge difference. I know people who started taking daily walks, no gym fees, no expensive equipment, just a walk. And they lost over a stone, 6.3kg or 14lb. More importantly, they felt better. Small steps lead to big shifts.

The Lies About Intelligence

Ever been told you’re “just not smart”? Maybe someone said you were terrible at maths, and you believed them. But here’s the truth: That’s utter bollocks.

You were conditioned to think that way. Maybe you had a bad teacher. Maybe you weren’t taught in a way that made sense for you. But being bad at something once doesn’t mean you’re doomed forever. Want to be better at maths? You can be. Take an online course. Go to a class. Challenge that belief.

When I was about 7 or 8, my teacher stopped an assembly rehearsal, made me sing alone in front of the entire class, and then told everyone I was ruining the song because I was out of tune. I had to mime for the rest of the performance, think that’s called lip-syncing now!

Did that moment define my life? No. But to this day, I only sing in public if I’ve had a few drinks first. And who knows, maybe I could sing if I ever bothered to learn…this isn’t isn’t a commitment to start singing lessons.

Confidence Isn’t About Looks, It’s About Belief

We’ve all seen that person. The one who walks into a room and commands attention, not because they’re the best-looking, the tallest, or the smartest, but because they own who they are. They believe in themselves, and that energy is contagious.

And here’s the good news: Nothing is stopping you from having that kind of self-belief.

So take off the old, ill-fitting shirt, the one someone else gave you years ago. Put on the confident, good-looking, capable shirt. Say it, believe it, live it. And watch how the world responds.

Now, I’d love to hear from you, have you broken free from an old belief that was holding you back? Drop a comment and share your experience.

P.S. Yeah, I only got a C in GCSE English, so my writing isn’t perfect. There might be the odd typo, but just like confidence, improvement takes practice.