Why you Need to Break Something Before you Build
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Our core beliefs – about ourselves, each other and the world – tend to be fairly static. It is these beliefs that hold us back from reaching our greater potential. We cannot simply change these beliefs, we must break them by proving to ourselves what we thought was true is simply not true. Consistently breaking limiting beliefs over time gives us the psychological flexibility to grow and update our view of the world to be more effective in it.
Take on a belief-breaking activity.
I’ve been doing lots of adventures lately. Climbing Kilimanjaro. Tackling the grueling 29029 endurance challenge. Sitting with the Maasai in Tanzania.
But despite what it might look like, I’m not just chasing thrills. In fact, I don’t even see myself as a thrill seeker.
So, why do I – and many of those who are part of the No Matter What Movement – do these kinds of things?
An expanded capacity for growth.
The results we get in life are directly tied to our actions. And those actions are rooted in our beliefs – about ourselves, each other and the world around us. But here’s the catch: It’s not the surface level beliefs that make the biggest difference. It’s the deeply ingrained ones, the ones we hold as “truths ” that really shape our lives. These core beliefs might not be entirely false, but they’re probably not the full picture either. Yet, we live inside the walls they create.
This is where belief-breaking adventures come into play.
When I (or you) do something that challenges these core beliefs – something beyond what we “know” we’re capable of – it starts to breakdown those walls. It’s not just about pushing physical limits; it’s about breaking through the mental ones. These belief-breaking experiences help us grow by expanding our view of what’s possible. Every time we shatter a limiting belief by proving it wrong, we make room for a new, bigger version of ourselves to emerge.
You have to break ground on a building before it’s constructed. You break a habit before forming a better one. You “break the ice” to develop deeper connections.
Breaking always comes before building. In the world and in ourselves.
The best part?
This isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a skill – a practice – that you get better at over time. The more you challenge and release the beliefs that no longer serve you, the more adaptable and resilient you become. You build psychological flexibility, which research shows is one of the key factors in resilience. You start to trust in your potential.
Adventures aren’t always about chasing the next high. It’s about intentionally seeking out experiences that challenge the way you see yourself and the world. These belief-breaking adventures, in any form, are what truly fuel growth.
So whether you're climbing a mountain, taking a dance class, sitting for a mindfulness practice, or anything else that requires you to break your pre-existing beliefs – it’s not just an adventure, it’s an opportunity to grow your capacity for more.
Key Idea
You need to break your existing beliefs before you can build new ones. Our core beliefs – about ourselves, each other and the world – tend to be fairly static. It is these beliefs that hold us back from reaching our greater potential. We cannot simply change these beliefs, we must break them by proving to ourselves what we thought was true, is simply not true. Consistently breaking limiting beliefs over time gives us the psychological flexibility to grow and update our view of the world to be more effective in it.
You have to “break ground” on a building before it’s constructed. You “break the cycle” before building better habits. You “break the ice” to develop deeper connections. Breaking always comes before building. In the world and in ourselves.
Takeaway
Take on a belief-breaking activity
Build your Movement
What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but never have for fear of failure, looking bad or embarrassment?
If you did it, what beliefs would you have to challenge in the process?
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