In a recent LinkedIn post, Justin Wright delves into the profound impact of personal beliefs on our perception and professional trajectory, drawing insights from Nir Eyal’s book, “Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself.” Wright emphasizes that our beliefs act as filters, determining what information we consciously process from the vast amount of data our brains receive.
Wright highlights the significant disparity between the data our brains take in and what we are consciously aware of. He states:
“Your brain takes in 11 million bits of data every second. You’re only conscious of 50. Your beliefs decide which 50.”
This selective processing, according to Wright, means that individuals can observe the exact same situation or person and arrive at drastically different conclusions. He illustrates this with the example of two leaders observing the same team member: one might see immense potential, while the other sees only problems, despite identical performance and circumstances. “Same person. Same performance. Different belief,” Wright explains, underscoring that the divergence stems purely from underlying beliefs.
The Role of Beliefs in Professional Growth
Wright further elaborates on how shifts in personal beliefs have been instrumental in his own career advancements. He shares that most significant leaps he has made professionally began with a fundamental change in his perception of what was achievable. Often, these shifts were catalyzed by external validation or encouragement from others.
He points to a personal experience where self-doubt nearly prevented him from pursuing a role he felt unprepared for. It was the belief of a trusted confidant – who assured him he was “more ready than you think” – that altered his perspective and, consequently, the trajectory of his career for the next decade. This anecdote serves to reinforce his argument that external beliefs can profoundly shape our internal landscape and future opportunities.
“Usually spurred by someone else’s belief in me.”
Wright also touches upon the idea that many limiting beliefs are not originally our own, suggesting they are often absorbed from external sources. He notes that the book “Beyond Belief” explores this concept in depth, particularly addressing why solely relying on positive thinking can be ineffective and what strategies are genuinely effective in reshaping limiting beliefs.
Attention, Anticipation, and Agency
According to Wright, Nir Eyal’s book breaks down how beliefs influence three critical aspects of our experience:
- Attention: What we choose to notice in our environment.
- Anticipation: What we expect to happen in the future.
- Agency: What actions we feel empowered to take.
Wright recommends “Beyond Belief” enthusiastically, describing it as Nir Eyal’s best work to date, surpassing even his previous acclaimed books like “Hooked” and “Indistractable.” He stresses that the book offers a deeper exploration than a simple summary can capture, particularly regarding the mechanisms that allow us to overcome self-imposed limitations.
“We all carry beliefs that hold us back. Most of them aren’t even ours.”
Wright concludes by encouraging his network to read the book, emphasizing its value for anyone seeking to understand and overcome self-limiting beliefs that may be hindering their personal and professional growth. He notes that the book goes beyond superficial positivity, offering scientifically-backed strategies for real change.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Justin Wright on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 10, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →