My friend recently asked me how I would define myself in the present. I told her that I would define myself as ‘overwhelmed’ or ‘zonked out’, which is actually true for the past few weeks.
Her answer hit me cold in the face. She said: “According to the proven research, this indicates that you will be zonked out in the future too.”
My present was to define my future and if I am constantly telling myself and others that I am overwhelmed, lost and tired, I would be setting myself up for more confusion and unhappiness.
What you label yourself is what ultimately comes true. Our choice of words matters and the words we choose predict our success, now and in the future!
This was just a theory at first propagated by Alan Watts, Louise Hay, Dr Wayne Dyer in different ways. Now these were people who were qualified and experienced enough to have credibility to their claim. However, most scientific community would ignore them as quacks.
But now it’s been proven by algorithms and modern scientific methods that you are what you call yourself. How you perceive yourself and your beliefs about your abilities and potential can ultimately influence your mindset, decisions, and actions, which, in turn, can shape your future outcomes. Positive self-perception and a growth mindset create greater confidence, resilience, and motivation to achieve your goals. For instance, I have replaced my “I am so overwhelmed!” statement with “I am a happy, healthy and financially empowered woman, with rock solid relationships.”
How Negative Self-Perception Impacts Your Future
Negative self-perception can indeed hold a person back in various ways. Here are a few ways in which it can impact individuals:
Limited Belief in Abilities
When you have a negative self-perception, you may underestimate your own abilities and doubt your skills and talents. This lack of confidence can prevent you from taking on new challenges or pursuing opportunities that could lead to personal growth and success.
Fear of Failure
Negative self-perception often leads to a fear of failure and a tendency to focus on potential mistakes or shortcomings. This fear can paralyze you and prevent you from taking risks or trying new things. As a result, you may miss out on valuable learning experiences and chances for growth.
Lack of Motivation and Initiative
When you perceive yourself negatively, it can be challenging to find the motivation and initiative to set goals and work towards them. Negative self-talk and self-doubt can drain your energy and make it difficult to take the necessary steps to achieve your aspirations. Thus, negative self-perception or a fixed mindset may hinder personal growth and limit opportunities.
Impaired Interpersonal Relationships
Negative self-perception can also impact your interactions with others. It may lead to feelings of insecurity, social anxiety, or a fear of rejection. These factors can hinder the development of healthy and meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.
Self-fulfilling Prophecy
Negative self-perception can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where your beliefs about yourself become a reality. If you constantly doubt your abilities, you may not put in the effort needed to succeed, reinforcing your negative perception and perpetuating a cycle of underachievement.
To Sum Up
How we perceive and portray ourselves and our situation in the present define what’s our future is going to be. If we are constantly think of ourselves as stupid, poor, unlucky, unhappy, unattractive, tired, broke, with any desire or drive for change, then that’s how we going to be in the future as well. So, it’s important to cultivate a healthy and empowering mindset to positively impact your future endeavors. So how about changing your negative and self-limiting perception from today!
