As I continue my journey to Financial Independence, I am noticing two very different characteristics amongst the people that I interact with when talking about FI.
When I talk about Financial Independence with individuals, some people immediately give up on ever reaching FI, as if there is a magical barrier trapping them in their current situation. On the other hand, some people I talk to totally embrace FI and are truly committed to reaching it.
What is the difference between these two types of people?
The first type of person seems to concede to failure before even attempting a task. This predisposition of giving up on a task before you even start the task is caused by “limiting beliefs“.
The second type of person is very different. This type of person has taken control over their lives and believes in their personal ability succeed. This person is the type of person who can envision themselves being successful in the future. In other words, this is the type of person who is able to set and accomplish “self-fulfilling prophecies”.
Keep in mind, these types of behavior are largely driven by the subconscious and requires a lot of self awareness in order to change. Also, it is important to understand that we all have limiting beliefs and self-fulfilling prophecies specific to different parts of our lives.
So, are you restricted by your “limiting beliefs” or are you on your way to realizing your “self-fulfilling prophecy”?
Limiting Beliefs
What is a limiting belief? Well, a limiting belief is any ideas you have, subconscious or conscious, that prevent you from taking action. Limiting beliefs are generally restricting our abilities to become more open minded about a certain situation.
For example, the limiting belief can be “I am not qualified for that job, so I am not going to apply” or “that guy/girl would never say yes if I asked them out, so I am not going to ask them out”.
Whatever your specific limiting belief is, you need to recognize it and overcome it. Get over your inadequacies and do the things necessary to become confident in that specific part of your life.
In my life, I have had many limiting beliefs, as I imagine many people do. I used to think that I was too inexperienced to speak out loud in large meetings with management present. However, I learned that everyone in the room is there for a reason and you should “lean in” and be involved no matter how new you are.
I urge you to think honestly about the “limiting beliefs” in your life that are holding you back from reaching your dreams.
After you figure out what your limiting beliefs are, stomp them out of your life for good!
Self-fulfilling Prophecies
Anyone who has read the Harry Potter series (is automatically my friend) knows what a prophecy is. For everyone else, the prophecy I am referring to is in the 5th Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix”.
The prophecy reads as:
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.”
In the book, both Harry and Voldemort put much emphasis on how important the prophecy is. This prophecy is even alluded to as a “weapon” that Voldemort didn’t have before.
The reason the prophecy is important is because of what it represents. It represents a final destination in which the protagonist, Harry, will eventually end up dead or alive.
Prophecies are strong drivers of motivation.
My entire point of bringing up this idea of “self-fulfilling prophecies” is that we all need to set goals in our life. These goals have to be so profoundly embedded in us in order to provide the motivation necessary to achieve our goal.
Before achieving your goal, you need to be able to set your goal and truly envelop yourself in the goal. So much so that you start believing in yourself until there is no other option but success.
We have all succeeded in realizing “self-fulfilling prophecies”, whether you recognize it or not. Just think about it.
For example, when I was a freshman in high school, I could imagine myself going to college so much so that there were literally no other options for me besides going to college. I spent the next 4 years doing the right things necessary to get into college.
Try to learn from all previous experiences where you successfully realized a future goal.
What made you stay focused on that goal?
Why were you able to commit to that specific goal instead of other goals you set for yourself in life?
Whatever your specific case, try to set a meaningful goal for yourself no matter what stage of life you are in. Once you have set this goal, don’t give up on it.
Commit to accomplishing your goals in life. That is how you establish a “self-fulfilling prophecy”!
You Are The Master Of Your Destiny
Your life is a movie and you’re the star!
Stop making up bogus excuses about why you can’t get a better job or why you are better off being single for the rest of your life!
Get over the all your insecurities in life. There is nothing you can’t do with the power of Google and effort.
Next time you want to give an excuse as to why you can’t achieve your goals – STOP!
No more excuses. No more doubt.
Take the reigns of your life and steer it in the direction you want to go. No one else is going to do it, why not you?
Become the master of your own destiny.
-Jack
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