The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success - Bruce Feirstein

Beliefs provide an internal framework so that we can determine:

• What is significant and what is not...

• What is important and what is not...

• What is worth our attention and what is not...

Greatness is not in where we stand, but in the direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor - Oliver Wendell Holmes

The function of a belief is to verify and validate what we determine to be true.

• Beliefs act as a mental filter - through your belief system you establish your ethical standards of what is important and delete what is not. They instruct you what you can or cannot do in the present, and what you can or cannot do in the future.

• Beliefs determine your response both verbally and in how you act and react.

• A Belief acts as a post-hypnotic suggestion and directs future behaviour to confirm it.

• Beliefs structure your experience and direct your attention.

• Beliefs predispose you to behave in a certain manner - we act and react as if our beliefs are true.

• Beliefs fill in the gaps in our knowledge. When we do not know what is real, we need beliefs to fill in the gaps - we make connections that help us make our experience coherent. This is a vital element in motivation. All the while you believe you can, you will try, you cannot be sure you will succeed, but you believe you will. The gap between believing and knowing is filled by the belief.

• Beliefs give purpose to our lives, set goals, and help us understand what to do and how to be. They form the ethical standards by which we live our lives.

• Beliefs define the model of reality we act out of. What you believe determines what you experience.

Evidence - It is impossible to have complete knowledge of any situation - there are always imponderables. Often though, we reach a stage where we stop seeking additional information or evidence and create a belief. The danger is that thereafter we cease searching or questioning and prevent development of our ability and potential.

In order to preserve a limiting belief you need to do some or all of the following.

• Only seek experience that confirms a belief.

• Refuse to consider disconfirming experience of a belief.

• Rationalise disconfirming experiences by regarding them as special cases.

For example: 'This is a different context.'

'That does not apply in this instance.'

• Fail to examine your own belief system or check your internal congruence.

• Distort new evidence

• Dispute the credibility of the source of new information.