SAO PAULO, Brazil -- We may be the only animal on the planet that can think about our thinking.

I'm going to focus on thoughts, on mindsets, paradigms, etc. Let me suggest that we have at least three forms of thinking: conclusions, lenses and "other mental so forth."   Focusing on our own biases, frameworks, interpretations, theories and the like can be very empowering.

Let's just sum up all of these words into one: BELIEFS. The three forms of beliefs are:

1) Subconscious: these are beliefs we are not consciously aware of.  They're impossible to change in their current form and can either be helpful or harmful.  They can protect us from danger or leave us with our foot in our mouth.

Have you, like me, ever done something and then wondered what on earth possessed you to do it?  If you want to discover subconscious beliefs, then look at your behavior.  If you see some crazy stuff there (in your behavior), begin to examine your own beliefs until you find the source.  Once you find it… it's no longer subconscious, and you can, if you choose, challenge and then change the belief.

2) Conscious/Unchallenged: these beliefs are also impossible to change in their current form because we're unwilling or unable to change them.  Often times we choose to have these beliefs.  That's why they're unchallenged.  These are the basis of status quo.  These beliefs work for us… or at least we think they do.  They may be the basis of tradition, values, religion etc. and more.  They are the primary drivers in our day-to-day actions.  Some we are deeply committed to and others we just don't have a better alternative.

3) Conscious/Challenged: these beliefs are on the chopping block.  They're being challenged and tested and questioned and doubted. We're comfortable challenging other's beliefs and ones we're not so committed to, but when they're core to us…that's a whole other story.

At one time bloodletting was considered helpful in curing disease and other ailments.  It also took the life of many a patient.  Somebody somewhere began to challenge this and… it's no longer practiced.

The man who invented the process for separating plasma from blood bled to death.  He was black and was refused admittance into an all-white hospital.  Somebody somewhere began the challenge this thinking and today we live in better world.

The man who invented the sewing machine died in borrowed clothing. People couldn't grasp the concept of letting go of an old belief of sewing by hand.  After his death, beliefs changed and so did the appearance or our wardrobes… forever.

Should we challenge all beliefs?  If we have the time… of course we should!  Should we challenge the really big ones… you know, our values, traditions etc.?  YES! That's a great place to start!

Do you want to know the greatest truth I've ever learned?  Here it is: I don't know everything about anything!  If that's true and I believe it is (but I don't know for sure because of the belief itself) then I should challenge every belief I have… forever.  If I do so, I will learn continually and be open to new thoughts and experiences.  

If our beliefs can withstand our attacks, our challenges, and our tests… then they will be MORE our beliefs and our actions will reflect them better.  If they cannot withstand the assault… they're not worthy of being core to our thinking and belief structure.

Einstein observed: "The significant problems we face cannot be solved and the same level of thinking we were at when we created them."

THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING! Thanks for reading/watching and please pass this on.