Munira Premji

This is the question that Nir Eyal asks in his new book, Beyond Belief.

It is a fascinating read and makes a compelling case that rhe beliefs we carry shape the lives we live.
They influence what we try. What we avoid. What we think is possible for us. And most of the time, we don’t even question them.

Limiting beliefs don’t usually sound dramatic like: “I’m not good enough.”
They sound… reasonable.
“I don’t like conflict.” “I’m not disciplined.” “I need more time before I start.” “I work better under pressure.”

They feel like facts.
But they’re often just stories we’ve repeated long enough to believe.

And here’s what struck me:
Your brain doesn’t question your beliefs. It proves them. It doesn’t ask, “Is this actually true?” It says, “Got it. Let me find evidence.” So you focus on what confirms the belief. You act in ways that reinforce it. And before you know it… it becomes your reality.

Years ago, I was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. And with it came a belief that I could have easily lived by: “You are living on borrowed time.” In fact, initially, it is exactly what I said to myself. That belief led to fear, to shrinking, to holding back from life.”
But I eventually made a different choice. I didn’t deny the reality. But I also didn’t let that belief define how I would live. Instead of asking: “How much time do I have?” I started asking: “How do I want to live the time I have?” And that shift changed everything for me.

Because where we place our attention matters. The brain is incredibly loyal. It will build a case for whatever you feed it. Feed it fear, it will find more fear. Feed it possibility, it will start to see options. It doesn’t discriminate. It just delivers.

And when you begin to shift a belief that no longer serves you, something powerful happens:

You stop arguing for your limitations.You take action faster.You handle discomfort better. Your confidence becomes real – not forced. You start seeing opportunities you were blind to before. And what once felt impossible, starts to feel available.
And perhaps most surprisingly,
You feel lighter, less second-guessing, less internal pressure and more energy for what actually matters.

So how do we shift a belief?
Not with force. Not overnight.
But with awareness and small, intentional steps.

Notice the belief. Listen for: “I am…”, “I can’t…”, “I always…”. For me, it was “I can’t cook.” “I can’t tell directions.” Once I shifted this, I am cooking joyfully, and have become much better at directions!

Question it: Is it always true? Where is it not true? Choose a better belief. Not something unrealistic. Something possible. “I’m learning…”I’m becoming…”
Build evidence. One action. One conversation. One small step. That’s how beliefs change. Not in one big moment, but in many small ones.

So let me leave you with this:
What belief are you living as if it’s true, that might not be?
And who would you be, if you chose differently?

Because the life you want might be sitting just on the other side of a belief you haven’t questioned yet.

What if you could do if what you thought was impossible? This is the question that author Nir Eyal asks in his new book, Beyond Belief.