Sometimes we let bad habits drag on for too long because we haven’t got a strong enough drive to change them. A conviction is such a strong belief that it compels you to take action. It is beneficial to develop convictions from beliefs that really support you, because then you will be driven to make any necessary changes in your life.

How to turn a negative belief into an empowering conviction:

1. Pick a negative belief that you are committed to changing. Write down the opposite so that you now have a positive belief. For example, if you have a belief that smoking is attractive, you may want to write down that being healthy is attractive.
2. Look for evidence supporting your new belief. Do some research – read books and magazines, talk to people, look at pictures and visualise yourself living differently. The more evidence you can find to support the new belief, and the stronger the associated emotions, the stronger the conviction will be. This will do two things: first, give you the motivation you need to make the change; and secondly, replace some of the false evidence that you have built up around you in holding on to your old belief.
3. In order to turn a supportive belief into a conviction you have to do more than just gather evidence. Once you feel confident about your new belief, seek out and put yourself in an emotionally charged situation. The situation should represent what your future could become if you do not change. To continue the smoking example, you could visit a hospital ward for lung cancer patients. Alternatively, if you have beliefs that affect you financially you may consider volunteering at an organisation that provides food and shelter for the homeless. Try to experience what life might be like for you if you don’t make the change in your life.
4. To maintain and strengthen the new conviction you must adjust your daily behaviour to reflect that you are completely certain about this belief.

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