How to conduct a belief self-assessment
What is it?
A belief self-assessment can be an effective way to identify your core beliefs and understand how they influence your behavior. Here’s a general guide on how to conduct one:
Step 1 - Identify Areas of Interest
Begin by identifying the areas of your life you’re interested in exploring. These could include self-worth, relationships, career, health, spirituality, success, etc.
Step 2 - List Potential Beliefs
For each area, list potential beliefs someone might have. For example, in the area of self-worth, potential beliefs might include “I am worthy of love and respect,” “I am not good enough,” or “My worth is determined by my achievements.”
Step 3 - Rate Your Beliefs
Rate each belief on a scale from 1 to 5 (or 1 to 10), with 1 being “I don’t believe this at all” and 5 (or 10) being “I strongly believe this.” This will give you a sense of how strongly you hold each belief.
Step 4 - Reflect on Your Beliefs
Take some time to reflect on the beliefs you hold strongly. Do these beliefs serve you, or do they hold you back? Are they based on evidence or assumptions?
Step 5 - Challenge Unhelpful Beliefs
If you identify any beliefs that are unhelpful or not serving you, challenge them. Ask yourself if they’re based on fact or assumption, and look for evidence that contradicts them.
Step 6 - Replace Unhelpful Beliefs
Finally, replace any unhelpful beliefs with more helpful ones. For example, if you find you strongly believe “My worth is determined by my achievements,” you could replace this with “My worth is inherent and not defined by external accomplishments.”
Remember, this is a process, and it can be challenging to change deeply held beliefs. It’s okay to seek support from a therapist or counselor as you navigate this process. They can provide guidance and tools to help you challenge and change unhelpful beliefs.