Many well-intentioned goals, aspirations, and dreams die on the vine because the person backing them lacked the resolve to go the distance. To be fair, many obstacles stand in the way of success. The bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles.

As the quote above suggests, you can’t hide from your own beliefs. What you believe colors every thought you have and every action you take…and the very person you become. Likes and dislikes, other people, career choices, and even the food you eat are all a byproduct of your beliefs.

I believe that if your beliefs are working for you then you should be hugely successful, peaceful, and content. If that sounds like a pipe dream, then perhaps your beliefs need to be challenged? But when is the last time you examined and challenged the very beliefs you hold dear in life? 

Typically this only happens when we hit a wall – the conditions created by current beliefs cause a breakdown. In those moments you are open to new beliefs and willing to test drive some.

Socrates made this comment long ago: “the unexamined life is not worth living.” What does it mean to examine a life? I think it is clear that Socrates meant to examine your very beliefs now before a train wreck forces you to.

Really, does it make sense to go through life assuming that all the ideas you digested and assimilate as beliefs are unassailable? That would be leading an unexamined life. Examining your beliefs will lead to new levels of resolve.” Mark Divine, US Navy Seal

The Way of the Seal, by Mark Divine, is a great book,