How can you leverage the Pygmalion effect to improve your life?

If you’re not familiar with the Pygmalion effect, then here’s the definition to help you.

The Pygmalion effect, also known as a self-fulfilling prophecy, is a psychological phenomenon wherein high expectations lead to improved performance in a given area.

While this definition is focused on the expectations of others, it also applies to you.

What is your self-fulfilling prophecy?

Oh, wait.

Are you aware that you have one?

Well, self-fulfilling might be a little bit of a stretch, but it’s very close to being true. You see, your self-fulfilling prophecy is rooted in your expectations for yourself. And your expectations are tied to your beliefs about you and the future.

When you have certain beliefs about yourself and your future, you will act accordingly, and then when you experience the results of your actions, you solidify or reinforce your beliefs.

This can be either a vicious or virtuous circle.

You are building your entire life based on the foundations of your beliefs. And while there might be some exceptions to the rule, most of the limitations you’ll experience in your life are the ones you’ve convinced yourself you have.

So how can you create a virtuous self-fulfilling prophecy?

Examine your belief system. Find the beliefs that you might have adopted or learned and begin to change or replace them with beliefs that empower you to expect more from yourself.

Yes. Easier said than done. But if you want to improve your life, you must work at doing so.

So, the next time you find yourself butting up against what you consider a limitation in your life, if you choose to, revisit your belief about the constraint. Leverage the Pygmalion effect to set new expectations for yourself, and then take steps to live up to them.

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