If I received a dollar from every person I met who thinks 'life sucks', I'd be a very rich man. But for many people that appears to be their reality. Life sucks big time. I proffer 5 key reasons why that is so. If you feel that way about life chances are:

You are working with outdated beliefs.

I'm not talking here about beliefs like the world is flat or the moon is made of cheese. Rather, I am talking about your own personal beliefs. That list of things by which you measure everything and which cause you to do the things you do in the way you do them.

Your beliefs formed at a very early age. Just about all the beliefs you needed to function in the world were well and truly established by about age 6. Trouble arises, however, when the beliefs you held at age six are still the beliefs you hold at age 36 or 46 or 56. It's a bit like trying on the outfit you wore to your sixth birthday party so you can wear it to your next birthday. It just won't fit anymore. (and if it does fit, do mummy and daddy know you are on the Internet?)

Beliefs like never cross the road without holding an adult's hand. As a small boy of about 4 years of age I ran away from home. Because I wasn't allowed to cross the street without an adult, I spent the next two hours walking around and

Cute image, isn't it? What's not so cute is when the belief behind it carries over into adult life. The belief behind the rule not to cross the street without an adult is about not putting yourself into a dangerous situation without someone who can protect you and keep you safe. When you transfer that belief into adult life, is it any wonder you have people afraid to try something new, or to tackle a project that involves some risk? The really sad thing is people who live their lives that way never really know what it means to reach their potential.

The beliefs you held as a six year old may well have been appropriate for you then. The question you need to ask yourself is whether they are appropriate now. You can do that more effectively as you become more aware of your beliefs and how they affect your behaviour. Yes, that may involve a little risk, but the only danger you will face is the possibility of living a more productive, more fulfilled life.

Graham Hunt is the founder of Prentis Carpenter Center, an organisation established to resource an environment where those people who chose to do so could discover and work towards their potential. One way in which Graham is doing that is through his website http://www.higher-self-esteem-site.com/. Drop by anytime.

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