Many people have heard that their beliefs can be very powerful in creating their reality. Sadly, many also choose to ignore the impact one's beliefs have on various aspects of their life. Years ago I had the opportunity to meet a woman who reinforced my understanding of the power of beliefs. This woman is probably one of the most powerful individuals I will ever encounter.

I met Chris in 1986 while taking the Dale Carnegie course in Santa Rosa, California. Although not in class the first week of our twelve- week course, Chris showed up during the second week. Class was well under way when she walked into the room. Actually, she didn't really walk into the room; she dragged herself in, supported by a pair of metal crutches. Chris has Cerebral Palsy, which she had lived with all her life.

Chris had an extremely difficult time communicating with others. This was not due to lack of desire, but because for most of her twenty-one years of life she had been kept in a room with no more than Elvis records and tapes to entertain her. No one had taken the time to assist her in developing the ability to communicate. No one except Bonnie, her current caretaker. Bonnie knew there was much more to Chris than anyone ever gave her credit for.

When asked by the instructor what her goal for the twelve-week course was, Chris struggled to respond and became frustrated and angry in the process. Chris had a very short fuse when it came to frustration because for most of her life no one would listen to her. The only way she knew to get someone to listen was through temper tantrums. With Bonnie's help, Chris was able to convey to us that her goal was to be able to stand, by herself, in front of forty-five people and tell us her story.

On the twelfth and final week, to the pleased amazement of everyone in the class, Chris stood in front of the room. In her own words, she shared with us what life had been like for her. It was one of the most enlightening experiences I have ever witnessed. Here was a woman who had, in many ways, been thrown away. And yet she had a determination, commitment and belief that she could accomplish more in her life and she did. She also had the love and support of forty- five friends, who weeks before had been complete strangers.

What we all witnessed through Chris' courage is that life is created moment by moment based on our beliefs. She stuck to her belief that there was more out there for her and took the steps necessary to improve herself. Her beliefs carried her beyond her limiting situation. She learned new tools to communicate and used them. As Chris' success shows, beliefs can empower us beyond our wildest dreams.

Often the people admiring the successes of another are also people who want guarantees of how something is going to turn out. The fact is, there aren't always guarantees. The way to make something happen is to believe it could be possible and take the risk to find out. If we don't stretch ourselves, we have no idea of what we are capable of.

What are your beliefs regarding your personal life and business situation? Do those beliefs hold you and your team back or do they encourage everyone to keep moving forward? I frequently talk with business owners who have dreams of what they want to see happen with their business. More times than not, I see that their beliefs hold them back. They are comfortable within their current beliefs, so they are not willing to take the necessary risks that come with expanding their beliefs and moving forward with their dreams.

Incredibly, as our beliefs change our experiences change. And as our experiences change, so do our beliefs. I have witnessed and personally experienced some incredible experiences in business due to the belief that you don't know what is possible until you try.

What are the beliefs that will carry you to places you have yet to explore? And what are you willing to do to put those beliefs to the test?