People often ask me, “How do I reprogram my mind? How can I get rid of old stuff I’ve been carrying for a long time? Is it even possible?”

My answer is clear: Yes, it IS possible!

My conviction on this subject is supported by many scientific studies of neuroplasticity and neuroscience, my extensive training and certification in Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) and many other experiences and sources.

You don’t have to be a specialist in these areas. Basically, what you need to know is that your brain changes every day and that YOU can tell it what to do before it tells you.

In this post I illustrate a simple procedure for reprogramming a limiting belief and installing a new, empowering one in its place. You can do it!

The key here is consistency but the challenge is to keep doing it when you don’t see immediate results. Many sources suggest that it takes between 21 and 60 days to form a new habit or belief. Just bear in mind that each individual is different and has a unique neurological wiring which means that results will vary. Keep going.

This first post is about figuring out what is blocking or limiting you on any subject. You can do this with a skilled coach or therapist or on your own to get a feeling and an indication of what may be behind your limitations.

So let’s begin with the first part: exposing the limiting belief you want to change.

If you don’t know where to start, just pick one, something that you keep doing even though you badly want to change it. It can be a story you tell yourself, a habit or a behavior.

One of the most important things to know is that in order to access your hidden limiting beliefs and make changes you must be in a relaxed, meditative state to slow your brainwaves and put the analytical mind to sleep.

Ready? Let’s go.

As an example I’ll use my money story.

Step 1 Write down what you think you believe about money; your conscious beliefs around money, like: money is important… money doesn’t make me happy… if I have more money I have to pay more taxes, etc.

Step 2 Go into deep, hypnotic relaxation. Take your time and just focus on how calm your body feels. If the body does not feel safe nothing will emerge.

Step 3 Go back in time to when you heard or saw stories about money. Were your parents struggling with money and unable to buy you things you wanted?

Or did you have money, but were bullied because your family was wealthy?

Listen to what you were toldback then.

How did you feel and what did you see?

How old were you? Were you alone or with others?

Go into the scenes as vividly as possible.

Step 4 Immediately after the session, not down what you noticed; what you heard, saw and felt. How did these things interfere with your daily life? What is the key message in these old narratives?

Step 5 Repeat steps 1-4 until you can’t think of any other experiences about money. Usually when we begin to acknowledge these memories, more come to the surface.

When you have your findings written down, proceed to Part Two, which concerns creating empowering affirmations which you use to replace old ones and support the implementation of new beliefs.

Everyone’s mind plays a loop of disempowering and negative language based on past experiences, but remember: every word you speak on a consistent basis is subtly programming your nervous system. The story you repeatedly tell yourself will manifest and re-manifest in your life. It costs nothing to choose more empowering and positive language.

Rewrite your money story now so that it reflects a positive image of money. What could you do if ___? What would you do if ___?

For example:

I can do better things with more money.

I can help more people in difficulty with more money.

I deserve more money.

I’m more than good enough to have lots of money.

There is enough for everybody.

I always have enough money for myself and for my family.

These statements are fuel for your mind to rewire your beliefs about money and related topics. There are great affirmations available online if you search for them. The important thing is that you practice consistently.

For now, remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and your current belief system certainly wasn’t built in 21 days! It was created over years and from a lifetime of situations.

Be kind to yourself and be kind to your mind.

Now let’s move on to Part Three, which is all about putting what we’ve learned to work. For this part, consistency is key; if you miss a session just continue with the next one.

Since the practice is new to you it might feel strange at the beginning but it will get better the more you practice.

You will have days where the practices aren’t as good, no worries. That’s normal. We’re human and there’s no way we can always do them like robots.

So how do we do it, then? It’s all about transmitting the new message in a consistent way to our brain and making it feel as real as possible until the brain believes it.

I suggest starting with three daily practices:

The first practice is done upon waking, when your brain shifts from a theta to beta brainwave state. This is the time your brain is most suggestible. Go into a meditative state, remember your old beliefs and clearly state: “This is not me, it has nothing to do with me.” Repeat the new affirmations in your mind and then visualize yourself doing the new things or already having what you want.

The second practice is for during the day. Program reminders into your phone and read them every hour. Go for a walk and listen to podcasts and audiobooks that support your goals.

The third practice is to be done in the evening while falling asleep, the time where your brain shifts back from beta to theta/delta brainwave states and again becomes highly suggestible. Record your affirmations on your phone and play them in an endless loop for at least 15 min while falling asleep.

Repeat this daily, make it a habit. The more you do it, the stronger your new connections become.

Now you might think, That’s it? So easy? Yes, it is easy. Don’t forget that your brain will be resistant to doing the practices because it doesn’t like to change anything well-known. It will try to talk you out of doing the exercises and will create stories about how it won’t work or you should start some other time when you’re less busy. (HA!)

That’s the challenge, right there. Listen to the messages, acknowledge them and then do the practices anyway. Every time you overcome the resistance you rewire your brain. The resistance will decrease as your beliefs will begin to evolve.