“Change your beliefs, and you can change your life,” the self-help gurus say. We’re told that the beliefs we hold about ourselves, about others, and about the world around us are the very foundation upon which everything else is built and that if we want to change our lives, we must first change our beliefs. This sounds logical—after all, if you believe in yourself, you’re more likely to take action, right? But changing deeply held beliefs is hard. In many cases, it’s nearly impossible. Beliefs are deeply ingrained in our subconscious. They’ve been shaped by years—if not decades—of conditioning, and simply deciding to adopt new beliefs doesn’t mean our old ones will magically disappear.

In fact, the effort to change beliefs can sometimes create more frustration than progress. Think about how exhausting it can be to constantly monitor your thoughts, trying to “correct” any beliefs that don’t serve you. The process can become an endless loop of self-policing, where you’re always on guard for negative or limiting beliefs.

But what if you didn’t need to change your beliefs to make progress? What if, instead of focusing on altering what you believe, you focused on changing your actions and behaviors? The truth is, you don’t have to believe you’re confident to act with confidence. You don’t need to believe you’re capable of success to take actions that lead to success. Behavior often shapes belief, not the other way around.

In many cases, it’s more effective to act first and let your beliefs catch up later. For instance, if you take small, manageable steps toward a goal, you’ll build evidence that you can succeed—even if you don’t initially believe in your abilities. Over time, your actions can start to shift your beliefs organically, without the need for intense mental effort.

The Value of Doubt

Perhaps one of the most overlooked virtues in the world of self-help is doubt. While we’re constantly encouraged to have strong, unwavering beliefs, doubt can actually be a powerful tool for personal growth. When we allow ourselves to doubt our beliefs—especially the ones we hold most dear—we open the door to learning, flexibility, and change.

Doubt forces us to question the assumptions we’ve made about ourselves and the world. It encourages curiosity and humility, qualities that are essential for growth. Rather than seeing doubt as a weakness, we should embrace it as a sign that we are open to new information and perspectives.

After all, certainty can be a trap. When we are certain about our beliefs, we stop seeking, questioning, and exploring. We become stagnant. But when we allow ourselves to doubt, we remain open to the possibility that we don’t have all the answers—that there is more to learn and discover.

A Life Beyond Beliefs

Beliefs are a natural part of being human. They help us make sense of the world and guide our decisions. Rather than focusing solely on changing our beliefs, we might do better to embrace action, doubt, and flexibility. By loosening our attachment to fixed beliefs, we create space for growth, learning, and adaptation. In the end, it’s our actions, not our beliefs, that define who we are and what we achieve in life.