Naming Your Shadow Belief

Naming our shadow belief will be critical both for the rest of our values exercise, and useful when we start executing on plans and trying to overcome obstacles.

Process

  • If there was one negative tape that plays in your head more than any other, what would it be? Write it down.
  • Are there certain activities, relationships, settings, or situations that trigger that tape more than others? If so, are they avoidable?
  • As you complete the values exercise, ask yourself whether any of the values you choose are a function of you trying to prove to yourself the shadow belief is false. If so, ask yourself if it will lead to compulsive behavior or overweighting that value.
  • If you do decide to keep that value, identify some strategies you can employ to prevent you from going overboard with it.