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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

240. Belief It or Not: How to Rewrite the Narratives That Hold You Back

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast Talk Smart

Career, Public Speaking, Career Growth, Career Skills, Language Learning, Education, Communicating, Careers, Communication, Influence, Business, Improv, Leadership

4.7 • 806 Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How to identify and rewrite the limiting beliefs holding you back.

Achieving what you want in life doesn’t just hinge on what you believe about your future. According to Muriel Wilkins, it has just as much to do with what you believe about your past and present.

Wilkins is an executive coach, author, and host of the HBR podcast Coaching Real Leaders. In her new book, Leadership Unblocked: Breakthrough the Beliefs that Limit Your Potential, she explains how our personal and professional blocks often stem from our own limiting beliefs about ourselves. “A belief is a story that you tell yourself,” she says, “It is the operating principle that is driving your behavior and the decisions you make.” Before we can take actions that will lead us to where we want to go, we have to uncover these hidden beliefs. Otherwise, Wilkins says, “We'll come back right to where we started. It's not just about what we do, it's about what we think about what we do that makes all the difference."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wilkins and host Matt Abrahams explore the three-step process of uncover, unpack, and unblock — Wilkins’ method for identifying limiting beliefs, understanding how they might be shaping our behavior, and updating narratives to align with who we actually want to be.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:20) - The Seven Limiting Beliefs
  • (04:46) - Three Steps to Becoming Unblocked
  • (08:00) - Rethinking Values and Success
  • (09:15) - Healthy vs. Toxic Productivity
  • (11:59) - The Power of Mindset and Reframing
  • (14:35) - Reverse Engineering Your Goals
  • (17:44) - Managing Emotional Investment
  • (21:24) - The Final Three Question
  • (26:53) - Conclusion

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, Matt here. Before we get started, I just wanted to let you know that November is going to be a very exciting month for Think Fast Talk Smart.

0:07.8

We will be unveiling a new way for all of us to connect and learn from each other.

0:13.1

Our premium members recently got a sneak peek and they love it.

0:17.2

Stay tuned. Something really useful and really cool is coming from Think Fast Talk Smart.

0:22.9

Now a word from one of our sponsors. Their support allows us to bring you quality content free of charge.

0:31.3

Hi, Matt here. I recently have done some international travel, and I'm always amazed when people can speak the language

0:37.7

of the country they're visiting. So for my upcoming trip, I'll be using Babel, my go-to app for

0:42.9

science-backed language learning. Babel lets me practice real-life conversation step-by-step without the

0:48.9

stress. It helps me build the confidence to speak up when it matters, from ordering a coffee

0:53.4

or chatting with new friends.

0:55.2

However you learn best by listening, speaking, reading, or writing, Babel adapts to your style

1:01.1

and keeps you motivated with personalized learning plans, real-time feedback, and progress

1:05.7

tracking. Right now, Babel is offering up to 55% off your subscription at babble.com slash T-F-T-S. That's Babel, B-A-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-E-L-T-S. To get up to 55% off,

1:21.2

rules and restrictions may apply.

1:33.0

For many of us, our success is blocked, blocked by our beliefs and approaches.

1:39.2

If we remove these barriers, we can have more impact and add lasting value.

1:44.8

My name is Matt Abraham's, and I teach strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

1:45.6

Welcome to Think Fast, Talk Smart, the podcast.

1:49.5

Today, I'm really excited to have another conversation with Muriel Wilkins.

1:53.2

Muriel is an executive coach, author, and podcast host.

1:56.6

She hosts the HBR podcast, Coaching Real Leaders, and she has a new bookout, Leadership Unblock,

2:02.7

Breakthrough the Beliefs that Limit Your Potential.

...

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