Sometimes we have those voices (not the voices that have us taking medication!) telling us that we can't do something. When we get them under control, we usually can do whatever we were trying to do. I see it as a confidence issue.
This happens to me sometimes when I tackle a particularly challenging piece of music.
There are two sides to that story. I've told myself numerous times that I could do something only to fail to get it done. Maybe I should rethink my abilities.
The thing is, what you expect to happen does not always happen. We do not have as much control over events as people want to think. For example, no amount of expectation can turn a 5 foot lightweight into a professional basketball player. What both quotes say to me is, whatever happens is the right thing. (Though now that I think about it, I don't believe that either.)
Pat, I think the point here is that you are a self-fulfilling prophecy engine yourself.
If you thin you can do it, you might well do it. If you think you can't do it, for sure it won't happen.
It's not a guarantee but it pushes the odds in one direction or the other.
Then there is the example of the guy who developed "Dilbert."
He wrote down 50 times EVERY morning, "I will make my living doing cartoons." The first thing he did every day. An excellent example of a self-fulfilling prophecy in action.
Absolutely true. Of course on the rare occasion you lay flat on your back waiting for the pain to subside, you realize that sometimes one does overestimate their abilities. Aah, the joys of the feedback loop.
Vivian, when you overestimate your abilities, you increase how far you will get — though it might be short of your estimation, it will be longer than it would have been without the belief.
From the time I was 8 and blew up a small portion of my father's basement exploring the wonderful world of chemistry, I felt I could change the world.
Now, nearly forty years later (40, wow) I have become aware and content that I've only been able to change my little corner of it (but oh, if y'all would just make me president...)
You just rang one my chimes. One of my sage comments to my kids was, "If it can be done by anyone, you can do it." or "You have the same number of limbs and brains as the guy who can do it, so you can too."
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 105
Thanks.
I hadn't thought about this Byte as being particularly applicable to childre — and of course it is.
Thanks, Desiree.
There are a range of aspects for and against that statement, Georgiana. And, in the context of this Byte, you are right.
I'll stay with the first impression
... unless she invites me in for a nightcap.
(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
And isn't it a shame we don't remember that, Jan?
What you say is the principle of the Outward Bound programs, which I'd heartily recommend to all.
That works, Blaine. In no small part because you think it does.
A very interesting point, Linda.
So — given you are aware of this — what do you suppose causes you to choose one over the other in a given situation?
That's all it takes, Debby.
John, children of every age know about The Little Train that Could.
In this case, self expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies.
This happens to me sometimes when I tackle a particularly challenging piece of music.
I'll go ahead and try!
Well said, Ruth.
Thanks for bringing that up.
PS: Welcome back!
Which one you listen to, makes all the difference.
1) Did you believe you could do it?
2) Did you believe you would do it?
"want" versus "don't think I can" are both facets to this Byte, Debra.
Thanks.
"You are in the perfect place at the perfect time, unfolding perfectly, never getting it done, and never getting it wrong."
In this context, that might be considered denial of the reality of "what will happen is what you expect to happen."
Five minutes
If you thin you can do it, you might well do it. If you think you can't do it, for sure it won't happen.
It's not a guarantee but it pushes the odds in one direction or the other.
Then there is the example of the guy who developed "Dilbert."
He wrote down 50 times EVERY morning, "I will make my living doing cartoons."
The first thing he did every day. An excellent example of a self-fulfilling prophecy in action.
(Do you know, I don't think we've ever agreed on anything.)
(It's not about agreeing, it's about discussing and learning.)
Now, nearly forty years later (40, wow) I have become aware and content that I've only been able to change my little corner of it (but oh, if y'all would just make me president...)
Thanks,
In this case "right" refers to the fact that you will be successful or unsuccessful because you thought you would.
Hey! That's an extra dose of brilliance from you in ONE POST, John!
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control Your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be Mastering change rather than allowing it to master you."
Rest easy
We can achieve what we convince ourselves we can. We must first convince ourselves we can't before anything becomes impossible.
If you think it's impossible it is not ifs ands or buts.