Is Your Belief System Standing in the Way of Success? Tips from a Pro

Q&A with
Dr. Jason Richardson
Speaker, Author, Olympic Psychologist
Former Professional Athlete/World Champion

 

Jason Richardson, MBA, Psy.D., is a World Champion and Pan Am Games Gold Medalist. While competing as a professional BMX Bike Racer, he earned his MBA in 2000 and a Doctorate in Psychology in 2010.  As a sought after speaker, trainer, and consultant working with high performance athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs, “DRjRICH” delivers the Gold Medal Mindset for a Championship Life. Here, he provides a few pointers and insights about connecting with your belief system for better results.

1. Tell us about your “Belief System” philosophy…and how it can enable tangible gains – personally and professionally.

I wish it were my Belief System philosophy. The whole point is all of us have adopted beliefs about the world, others, and ourselves. My work is helping people uncover beliefs that do not help them achieve a goal or the life they want. The caveat, and this is important, is that the true reward comes not in achieving the goal (though that is nice) but in the change itself and what that does for a person, or team.

2. Salespeople are often outgoing and positive by nature…what might your belief system offer that they don’t already know?

Actually, some sales people may not be as outgoing or positive as we would think. My work is about helping others adopt a better belief system that is more in line with their values and vision for their life (or business). Many people make the mistake of having goals and strategies that are not in sync. Our belief systems can work (or NOT work) in much the same way.

3. Any general insights or guidelines that are particularly applicable to business that you’d care to share?

Yes…! As it pertains to anyone’s “to-do” lists (or bucket list for that matter)— get started yesterday!

4.   What led you to become a psychologist, especially after becoming a renowned professional athlete?

In 2006 I broke my leg. Upon my return to competition, I had the good fortune to sit next to a married couple on the plane back from an event. The husband was a psychologist and the wife was a counselor as well. We had  great conversation about their work, my skillsets, and future plans. It was from that point on that I decided to go back to school and get my doctorate. It was a natural progression, as I was able to plug myself back into athletics and apply winning principles to sport, business, and life.

5. How did your experiences as a psychologist lead to your writing your first book, It’s All BS! How Your Belief System Keeps You From Winning?

I was doing a regular seminar/workshop with a colleague helping people “Train the Brain” for better health. In the workshop, we delved into neuroscience, belief systems, and how that plays a role in the outcomes in our lives. I decided to take the workshop and create a book about belief systems with some personal stories and useful practices for everyone!

6. What achievement are you most proud of? 

Living a life that I have designed.

7. What would you say to all those who are struggling and have limited resources or options?

Somewhere, someone with much less than you is doing a lot more! You do not always need resources to be resourceful.

8. Can you share any instances of people or groups you have helped succeed that you are especially proud of?

What brings me great satisfaction is the generational legacy…. I am always blown away by the referral that comes from a former athlete or exec that wants me to work with their protégé. It is an honor to have the trust of others to help people in their care.