Seminar Summary

Are you fooling yourself?.....

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Seminar Summary

Date: 1/1/1995

Summary of "Who, Exactly, Am I?"

Beliefs about Personal identity

Our belief about our identity can be accurate, exaggerated, understated, accurate but applied too rigidly.

The last category includes

Fixed: “This is how I am. I cannot change.”
Limiting: “I am always like this” or “I am never like this.”

To Identify, Evaluate, and Correct a Belief

Before you start, it is important to realize that we are all prone to making mistakes. As correct as my belief seems to me, it may not be completely correct.

First, If you notice some area of your life that is not working out as you would expect, ask yourself or a trusted friend "What belief may I be holding that might be contributing to this problem?" Identify the belief you have in that area.

Second, Look for counter-evidence. Challenge the belief. Ask questions such as : Are there situations in which I am not acting in accordance with this belief? Are there times when this belief may be inappropriate? is it always true? Never true? According to whom is this belief true? What specifically makes me say that I am this way?

Third, Formulate a belief that is more accurate and more useful. Take your time here! Ask yourself: What is actually true? What have I been exaggerating or overlooking? Think it through; perhaps discuss it with other people. Then, formulate a new, more accurate and useful belief.