Motivation: Dissolving False Beliefs about chosen Career Path

[Jaycee]

Hey all,

I'm currently trying to dispell some deeply ingrained false beliefs I believe to be harbouring about my graduation from college. I think that I am unconciously sabotaging the efforts on my bachelor's thesis.

Background

I study Online Media, in Germany. Online Media is a Mix of Computer Science, Media Psychology and Design as well as Economics and Marketing. Doing Web Programming, Audio, Video, Marketing, Communications. You learn to be a jack of all trades, master of none. Basically.

This is actually my second try to graduate. Last time, I started to late, then freaked out and didn't deliver on time - I said to myself I couldn't finish it on time.

At that time, I attributed my inability to push it trough to a recently ended relationship which lasted six years. Now, I'm almost sure thats not true.

Yesterday, I had a moment of high clarity and decided to face my nagging doubts, once and for all. First, I tried to hear out which beliefs I held, and then, I challenged them.

***snip personal journal***

Beliefs held about Online Media and the Web

1) The web is just for idle entertainment, it has no real, solid use.
Ok, I listed that first, because it felt easy to challenge. While there is a large chunk of the web that is entertainment (the more pointless form), porn, and spam, the main thing the www is about is connecting likeminded people. And that is hardly a bad thing. Helping other people connect is of value.

2) Online Media means working on the web. Making money on the web means: Advertising.
Money is made in two ways: 1) Producing something of value and/or 2) help others who produce something of value distribute it. Advertising is 2). If you don't like 2), do 1). Sell something of value. Clothes, Software, Music, whatever.

3) I'm educated to do advertising.
Not true. I could work in TV Production, program Application and/or Web Software, in the Computer Games Industry. I could be an IT Consultant. I could be in Marketing. But why the heck should I want that if I don't like marketing? That's stupid negative future projection! I can choose a path that is more suited to my personality. I took courses in several programming languages, in 3d graphics and shader programming. A job in Programming Application or Web Software would be more suited. There are lots of other possibilities.

4) I despise advertising.
Not completely true. I despise any form of advertising that attempts to trick customers into buying things with little or no value. I don't like obstructive advertising. I tolerate advertising that is not too prominently featured. I like advertising that sells products of real value in a smart, yet unflashy way.

5) I don't belong there with the other students.
There are different kinds of students. Those interested in doing a career in marketing. Those who program, those who like to interact with people. I can chose with whom I associate. I can chose with whom I belong.

6) Advertising is Manipulation. When working on the web I need to manipulate people. I will never do that.
See above. Not all advertising is manipulative. Not all work areas on the web have to do with marketing. This means I don't need to manipulate people if I choose to do so.


Beliefs held about writing my Thesis

1) I'm not ready to finish yet.
I feel not ready because I think that I need to learn more. But I will learn many things by writing my Thesis. About my capabilities. About working scientifically. And after finishing, there are sheer endless possibilities of learning more. What am I waiting for?

2) I won't find a job in this economy.
Denial 1x1, The Economy. If I want a job, I'll get one. I know a dozen programming languages and can use four more or less effectively. I can express myself clearly in German and English. I have years of experience in building and fixing computer systems, OS X, Windows and Linux administration included. I have programmed a database-backed web application for money. Why the hell shouldn't I get a Job if I wanted one?

3) I can't work scientifically.
Uhm. I was one of the few students that finished the scientific working course with an A. I helped others who where struggling with the rules. Some of them finished their thesis last semesters. If they could work scientifically, why should I not be able to do so?

4) I haven't got enough time left.
Granted, I wasted two months. But I have four months left. Last time, I was able to produce a software and fourteen pages of text in just under two weeks. I can do it, if I want.

***snip***

Boy, that felt good.

Ok, that's what the world looks like when you're in state of higher than usual awareness. But I'm not quite through. What I want to aim for is basically a list of reasons why I study Online Media and why I want to finish my thesis. A list to look at when awareness is slumping, when I have a hard day, when I experience setbacks. A list that shows me: You committed to that from a point of clarity. Trust yourself, it is right.

Phew. If you continued to read until this point you may be able to help me. I don't need somebody to tell reasons why I should want to write my Thesis. That would be wrong to the core. But you could challenge my reasoning, sharpening the results even more.

I'd like to hear your comments.

Additional question: Do you know of any other methods to challenge false beliefs?

[1DayHabit]

A false belief is a prediction that something will turn out bad and that it will not give you the result that you want.

The best way to overcome a belief is to turn it into a theory. Take a detached and scientific approach. Devise a test, or series of tests to prove or disprove the theory.

Be careful when assessing the answers to make sure that your conclusions are valid and reflect real world results, rather than skewing the results to make sure that they fit your belief.

[Michelle]

I wonder if you have considered online journalism or related fields for possible employment after you graduate? Newspapers everywhere are slowly but surely shifting their focus from printed media to online media. The future of journalism is online and one does not necessarily have to be a journalist or have a journalistic education to work in that field. With your qualifications it sounds like you would be an asset to any media company.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Jaycee

Boy, that felt good.
I'd like to hear your comments.

Additional question: Do you know of any other methods to challenge false beliefs?

Hey, Jaycee -- that does feel good, doesn't it, to bring your unconscious gunk to consciousness, and examine it for truth? Suddenly you have a lot more choice and opportunity, right? I love that! Congratulations.

To really fire up the power, I would take the next step of distinguishing an inspiring and empowering new possibility out of what you've seen, and programming that in at a level of unconscious mastery. Without that new empowering belief, the old ones can tend to slide back in habitually.

For instance: as you practice letting go of "I despise advertising," you look for a new belief that inspires you (probably not just the opposite, "I love advertising!" which your conscious mind will probably reject; and maybe even move up the level of change from behavior to identity) -- like perhaps:

"I am a Generator of Smart, Subtle Value Presentation." or

"I am a Connector of People and their Heart's Desires."

And then program that belief in.

[Brutha]

A year ago I went to a barcamp.
Talking to people in the web2.0 scene gives you a different picture about what it is about than sitting at class in university.

When you do you also discover that there are such job titles as community organizer and usability designer.

I would recommand you to go to one if there one within reach.
Großer Barcamp-Überblick: Alle Un-Konferenzen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz » t3n News

The future of journalism is online

Journalism has something like a future?

[Michelle]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Journalism has something like a future?

What makes you ask that question? Is Germany being overrun by low quality free papers, too?

[danthony]

It definitely has a broad appeal of the types of jobs that you could get with that degree and even better that it is somewhat specialized. I think it sounds like your biggest issue may just be perception of what you really want. If you take on an abundance mindset, the world is your oyster to what you can really accomplish. If your perceptions are not supporting you, you can usually mark it off as usually a non supporting belief. So, start by changing your perceptions and you can usually change your life.

Originally Posted by Jaycee

Hey all,

I'm currently trying to dispell some deeply ingrained false beliefs I believe to be harbouring about my graduation from college. I think that I am unconciously sabotaging the efforts on my bachelor's thesis.

Background

I study Online Media, in Germany. Online Media is a Mix of Computer Science, Media Psychology and Design as well as Economics and Marketing. Doing Web Programming, Audio, Video, Marketing, Communications. You learn to be a jack of all trades, master of none. Basically.

This is actually my second try to graduate. Last time, I started to late, then freaked out and didn't deliver on time - I said to myself I couldn't finish it on time.

At that time, I attributed my inability to push it trough to a recently ended relationship which lasted six years. Now, I'm almost sure thats not true.

Yesterday, I had a moment of high clarity and decided to face my nagging doubts, once and for all. First, I tried to hear out which beliefs I held, and then, I challenged them.

***snip personal journal***

Beliefs held about Online Media and the Web

1) The web is just for idle entertainment, it has no real, solid use.
Ok, I listed that first, because it felt easy to challenge. While there is a large chunk of the web that is entertainment (the more pointless form), porn, and spam, the main thing the www is about is connecting likeminded people. And that is hardly a bad thing. Helping other people connect is of value.

2) Online Media means working on the web. Making money on the web means: Advertising.
Money is made in two ways: 1) Producing something of value and/or 2) help others who produce something of value distribute it. Advertising is 2). If you don't like 2), do 1). Sell something of value. Clothes, Software, Music, whatever.

3) I'm educated to do advertising.
Not true. I could work in TV Production, program Application and/or Web Software, in the Computer Games Industry. I could be an IT Consultant. I could be in Marketing. But why the heck should I want that if I don't like marketing? That's stupid negative future projection! I can choose a path that is more suited to my personality. I took courses in several programming languages, in 3d graphics and shader programming. A job in Programming Application or Web Software would be more suited. There are lots of other possibilities.

4) I despise advertising.
Not completely true. I despise any form of advertising that attempts to trick customers into buying things with little or no value. I don't like obstructive advertising. I tolerate advertising that is not too prominently featured. I like advertising that sells products of real value in a smart, yet unflashy way.

5) I don't belong there with the other students.
There are different kinds of students. Those interested in doing a career in marketing. Those who program, those who like to interact with people. I can chose with whom I associate. I can chose with whom I belong.

6) Advertising is Manipulation. When working on the web I need to manipulate people. I will never do that.
See above. Not all advertising is manipulative. Not all work areas on the web have to do with marketing. This means I don't need to manipulate people if I choose to do so.


Beliefs held about writing my Thesis

1) I'm not ready to finish yet.
I feel not ready because I think that I need to learn more. But I will learn many things by writing my Thesis. About my capabilities. About working scientifically. And after finishing, there are sheer endless possibilities of learning more. What am I waiting for?

2) I won't find a job in this economy.
Denial 1x1, The Economy. If I want a job, I'll get one. I know a dozen programming languages and can use four more or less effectively. I can express myself clearly in German and English. I have years of experience in building and fixing computer systems, OS X, Windows and Linux administration included. I have programmed a database-backed web application for money. Why the hell shouldn't I get a Job if I wanted one?

3) I can't work scientifically.
Uhm. I was one of the few students that finished the scientific working course with an A. I helped others who where struggling with the rules. Some of them finished their thesis last semesters. If they could work scientifically, why should I not be able to do so?

4) I haven't got enough time left.
Granted, I wasted two months. But I have four months left. Last time, I was able to produce a software and fourteen pages of text in just under two weeks. I can do it, if I want.

***snip***

Boy, that felt good.

Ok, that's what the world looks like when you're in state of higher than usual awareness. But I'm not quite through. What I want to aim for is basically a list of reasons why I study Online Media and why I want to finish my thesis. A list to look at when awareness is slumping, when I have a hard day, when I experience setbacks. A list that shows me: You committed to that from a point of clarity. Trust yourself, it is right.

Phew. If you continued to read until this point you may be able to help me. I don't need somebody to tell reasons why I should want to write my Thesis. That would be wrong to the core. But you could challenge my reasoning, sharpening the results even more.

I'd like to hear your comments.

Additional question: Do you know of any other methods to challenge false beliefs?

[karentax]

One thing that may be hard to see from college is that none of us really knows exactly where we are heading on our career path! I started out with a B.S. in Computer Science. After 10 years I got a M.S. in Organization Development. Then I got a coaching degree. Now I own a business that uses all three of these areas! Starting out, I never could have imagined myself doing what I do now - it didn't even exist then!

So my thought is that you can't have a 'false belief' about your career path because it's impossible to really know what that path will ultimately be. You might have a lot of fear of the unknown! You can know a calling now, and way forward that feels right, and you can know that it will all work out if you just follow your heart.

My suggestion: finish your thesis to show yourself you can. It will feel really, really good to get that done, and it will allow you get on with the journey. I practice Continuum Movement - and in my practice discovered that 'movement is the enemy of fear'. Indeed! Just keep following the energy of your creative desires and you'll be just fine.