Can we predict our own future? Some psychologists think we can. It’s called a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you still have more stuff than you’d like in your home, but you have a minimalist mindset, you could be predicting your own future.
Do you want to exit? Would you like to leave a dead-end job or get rid of a bad habit? You can. Just make the prediction and it could come true.
First things first: what is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to positive feedback between belief and behavior.
Over the last couple of months, we’ve looked at victim mentality and locus of control. We’ve concluded that an external locus of control will lead to remaining stuck, while an internal locus of control will lead to positive change. The self-fulfilling prophecy is another psychological tool that can lead to positive outcomes.
How To Make A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Let’s consider minimalism. I consider myself a minimalist, but I still have more stuff than I really want. I’ll predict that in the future I’ll have less possessions. And I’m quite certain that prediction will come true. Why? Because I’ve already developed a minimalist mindset. So I’ll feel rewarded each time I let something go. It’s simple. The belief predicts the behavior.
Let’s try some more:
- I’m going to write another book in the next year.
- Tomorrow’s going to be a good day.
- I’m going to improve as a guitarist.
- My next vacation will be fun and relaxing.
- I’ll create a passive income before I retire.
I predict all of these prophecies will come true. Why? Because there is a positive connection between my belief and my daily behavior. In other words, they come true because I make them come true.
It’s simple really. Believe in yourself. Act on your beliefs. Get rewarded for your behavior. Do it again. Do it better.
What Do You Really Want Out Of Life?
Once you get your internal locus of control in gear, a self-fulfilling prophecy should be second nature. In essence, you’re simply visualizing success and following through by taking action based on your belief.
Do you want a better life? Do you want to be more productive? Would you like to expand your influence? You can do all these things and more. You simply need to believe in yourself. And if you’re a practicing minimalist, you’re already off to a good start. Why? Because you’ve probably already had at least one self-fulfilling prophecy come true.
If you’ve set some minimalist goals, believed in yourself, and reached your goals, bam! You’ve predicted your own future. So what’s next?
For more tips on simple living and productivity, check out my free ebook, The Happiness Of Simple. Just click the link below to get started:
