reframe #22

1/ Notice

Life is a series of choices. You knew that already.

I notice many of those choices, especially behavioural ones, are governed by our beliefs. This week this idea was drawn back to my attention while reading Richard Koch's new book — 80/20 Beliefs.

For example, if I believe "reading improves my success" and I want to be successful, I'm likely to behave by reading more.

Some of our beliefs serve us, some do the opposite, some are non-consequential.

That’s important to notice.

2/ Question

Have you changed an important belief, which had important results for you?

Years ago the economic system (my job) required me to work a 40+ hour week. My old belief was "this is how the business world works. You put in the hours, work up pay grades, and gain promotions by working hard."

As a result of reading Koch's earlier book, the 80/20 Principle, my belief started to shift when I realised there was an alternative nobody had told me about. The results economy — where you can get paid by your contribution to a valued outcome, not for putting in a set number of hours.

I moved into a sales role, where I was paid for results, then extended further when I started my own business. Instead of pursuing growth through more hours worked, I looked for better ways to contribute value in less time and the freedom that gave me.

My new belief is "value results above time spent." That's served me well for the past 30 years.

3/ Act

Coming back to Koch's new book. In it he explores what he calls the toxic beliefs, good beliefs, and grand beliefs. He interviews 51 people, synthesises these, and he argues that changing just a few beliefs can transform your life.

I agree with this meta-belief (his belief about beliefs). Although the key is to apply the 80/20 principle - find those 20% of beliefs that, if changed, will shift the dial for you. You might be able to copy empowering beliefs others have. But also appreciate a belief change that had a huge impact for someone else might do very little for you.

Pause now.

Write down one belief you're holding right now that's stopping you making progress.

For example, you might procrastinate in the office. And your belief might be "It's better to do nothing than make a mistake."

One sentence. Don't fix it yet — just name it.

Now, isn't that worth you processing some more?

To go deeper: Richard Koch — 80/20 Beliefs — book.

Hit reply and share your takeaways.

That's it until next week.

Clive