How Beliefs Are Formed—and How to Change Them

1. Introduction: Why Belief Systems Matter More Than You Think

Every action begins with a belief. Before you took your last major decision—whether to change jobs, pursue a goal, or avoid a challenge—it was your belief system that silently cast the deciding vote.

Your belief system is the internal framework that drives how you interpret life, make choices, and show up in the world. As I highlight in Unchained: Success Unlocked – A Proven Framework for Achieving Your Goals, belief is not just a mindset; it is a pillar that supports your goals, habits, and outcomes. Without empowering beliefs, even the best plans can collapse under pressure.

In previous blogs such as Breaking Free: Identifying Limiting Beliefs, we explored how false narratives sabotage our success. This blog takes you deeper—into the science of how beliefs are formed and, more importantly, how to change them.

2. What Science Says About Belief Formation

At the heart of every belief is a combination of neuroscience and psychology:

• Neuroplasticity shows us that the brain physically rewires itself based on repeated thoughts. The more we rehearse a thought, the more it becomes embedded as a ‘truth.’
• Cognitive bias—especially confirmation bias—explains how we unconsciously seek evidence that supports what we already believe.
• Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy proves that belief in one’s ability directly affects motivation and action.
• Carol Dweck’s research on mindset confirms that people who believe they can grow and improve (growth mindset) outperform those who think abilities are fixed (fixed mindset).

Beliefs aren’t static—they are programmed, reinforced, and shaped by experience, repetition, and environment.

3. The Four Stages of Belief Formation

Understanding belief formation helps us recognise the root of both our potential and our limitations. Most beliefs are formed through four stages:

1. Exposure:Beliefs begin as thoughts introduced by parents, culture, media, school, and early experiences.
2. Acceptance:Repetition normalises the thought. It begins to feel true, even without evidence.
3. Reinforcement:The brain starts filtering life to validate this belief. Wins confirm it; failures deepen it.
4. Identity Integration:The belief becomes part of who you are. It influences everything from how you respond to setbacks to whether you chase your dreams.

These stages can create powerful beliefs—or painful limitations.

4. Why Some Beliefs Become Limiting

Limiting beliefs are those that act like invisible chains. They sound like:

• “I’m not good with money.”
• “People like me never succeed.”
• “I always mess things up.”

These beliefs often begin in childhood or after failure and are reinforced through confirmation bias. If you believe you’ll fail, your brain will seek evidence to prove you right.

As I explored in Breaking Free: Identifying Limiting Beliefs, these beliefs feel like facts—but they’re really internalised stories that need rewriting.

5. The Science of Changing Beliefs

Changing a belief isn’t about “thinking positively.” It requires interrupting the cycle and introducing a new belief-feedback loop:

Awareness → Disruption → Reframing → Reinforcement

Key tools backed by research:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Challenges and replaces irrational beliefs with logical, empowering ones.
• Affirmations: According to Stanford and Harvard studies, affirmations rewire self-perception by activating the brain’s reward and valuation systems.
• Visualisation: Mental rehearsal activates the same neural pathways as real action (read “Vision Boards”)
• Journaling: Builds self-awareness and creates a record of transformation (read “The Transformative Power of Daily Journaling’).

We covered this practically in Daily Practices to Strengthen Empowering Beliefs.

6. Real-Life Transformations: Belief in Action

Here are some real-world stories that show belief change in motion:

• J.K. Rowling faced rejection from 12 publishers. Her belief in the value of her story kept her going—and changed literary history.
• Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison yet never lost belief in a free South Africa. That belief transformed a nation.
• One woman I coached told me she couldn’t start a business. After reshaping her beliefs, she built a thriving consultancy in the construction sector. Years later, she sent me a thank-you message. Her beliefs had changed—and so did her life.

Belief always precedes transformation.

7. How to Build a Liberating Belief System (Practical Framework)

In ‘From Limiting to Liberating: How to Rebuild Your Belief System’, I shared five proven steps:

1. Identify Root Limiting Beliefs
   Use journaling prompts like:

• What do I believe about myself?
• Whose voice is this?

2. Challenge and Reframe
   Ask:

• Is this always true?
• What’s a more empowering alternative?

3. Replace with Empowering Beliefs
   Craft affirmations that support your goals. Say them aloud daily.
4. Create Evidence Through Action
   Small wins build credibility. Do one brave thing every day.
5. Surround Yourself with Empowering Influence
   Environment is everything. Limit exposure to doubt and negativity. Join growth-focused communities.

8. Daily Practices That Make New Beliefs Stick

Reinforcement is what turns a new belief into a permanent mindset. Start with this checklist from Daily Practices to Strengthen Empowering Beliefs:

• Say 3 affirmations aloud each morning
• Reflect in a journal for 5 minutes
• Visualise your success for 3 minutes
• Track one micro-win or habit daily
• Write 3 things you’re grateful for each evening

These habits signal to your brain: “This is who I am now.”

9. Conclusion: Beliefs Are Built, Not Born

Your belief system isn’t a fixed truth. It’s a flexible framework that you have the power to shape.

Start by becoming aware. Then choose new beliefs. Repeat them, live them, and let your actions reinforce them.

If you want to change your life, start by changing what you believe is possible.

For a deeper dive, read Unchained: Success Unlocked – A Proven Framework for Achieving Your Goals.

And subscribe to the blog to receive weekly quotes, tools, and insights to help you build a liberating belief system.

References

1. Kwegyir-Afful, C. (2023). Unchained: Success Unlocked – A Proven Framework for Achieving Your Goals
2. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
3. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control
4. Lipton, B. (2005). The Biology of Belief
5. Psychology Today. “How Beliefs Shape Behaviour”
6. Harvard Business Review. “Why Mindset Shifts Drive Personal Growth”
7. Stanford University Research. “The Science of Self-Affirmation”
8. Breaking Free: Identifying Limiting Beliefs
9. Daily Practices to Strengthen Empowering Beliefs
10. Mindset Reset: Tools to Reframe Your Thinking
11. Vision Boards to Bring Your Goals to Life