explore · Personal Development, Team Building · 72–95 min · 2-20 people · medium energy

Challenge Your Beliefs

This method helps participants identify and reframe limiting beliefs into empowering ones, fostering a more positive and proactive mindset. By exploring the impact of these beliefs and collaboratively developing alternatives, individuals can unlock their potential and take more authentic action.

When to use Challenge Your Beliefs

Use this method when you want to help individuals or teams overcome self-imposed limitations and embrace a more growth-oriented perspective. It's particularly useful when addressing issues of low confidence, fear of failure, or resistance to change.

What it solves

Self-limiting beliefs hindering individual or team performance; Resistance to new ideas or approaches; Lack of confidence in taking action.

How to run Challenge Your Beliefs, step by step

  1. Introduce the concept of limiting beliefs using relatable examples and explain the session's goals. (10 mins)
  2. Conduct the 'Crossing the Line' activity to identify resonant limiting beliefs. Debrief the experience in a plenary discussion. (10-15 mins)
  3. Pair participants and have them investigate their chosen limiting belief using guiding questions, switching roles after 10 minutes. (20 mins)
  4. Guide participants to reformulate their limiting belief into a more helpful and empowering one, using provided guidelines. (20 mins)
  5. Have pairs explore how they can put their new empowering beliefs into practice, then share their beliefs and action plans in a final group circle. (20 mins)

Materials needed

  • PowerPoint slides (optional)
  • Paper
  • Pens
  • Handouts with examples of limiting beliefs and reformulations
  • Open space

Facilitator tips

  • Emphasize confidentiality and create a safe space for sharing.
  • Focus on the experience of the activity rather than the origins of the beliefs.
  • Provide support and examples during the reformulation process.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants feeling uncomfortable sharing personal beliefs. - Ensure a safe and respectful environment.
  • Participants struggling to identify or reformulate beliefs. - Offer guidance and examples.

Variations

  • Use different prompts or scenarios to elicit limiting beliefs.
  • Incorporate visualization exercises to reinforce the new empowering beliefs.
  • Extend the activity over multiple sessions for deeper exploration.

Running it online or hybrid

Use breakout rooms for paired discussions and a shared online whiteboard for visualizing beliefs.

What it produces

A list of limiting beliefs and their corresponding empowering alternatives; Action plan for applying new beliefs in real-life situations.

Origin

Developed in co-creation with Margreet Smit; inspired by Beck, Bandura, Dweck, O'Connor & Seymour — source

Build a session around Challenge Your Beliefs

METODIC places Challenge Your Beliefs inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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