Our self-concept is the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. As the story goes, so goes the reality. Our perspective on ourselves in relation to the outside world determines the kind of reality we live in. Our self-concept primarily consists of our beliefs.
Our beliefs matter. If you believe you are already confident, this belief will manifest in the outside world. People will recognize this quality in you, and you will naturally feel like a confident person. What you believe is what you get. What you believe about yourself will become your self-concept. If you believe you are a smart man, it will become your reality: "I AM smart."
We can change deeply held internal beliefs by expanding our state of consciousness. This naturally leads to an outgrown perspective and a transformed self-image, a seamless transformation requiring no force. We often believe changing limiting beliefs requires hard work and struggle, but our internal beliefs can be adjusted more easily.
We can't use our minds alone to change something deeply ingrained; we must transcend the mind and access spiritual attitudes like inner intention, faith, and inner knowing. These attitudes are a causal, intrinsic element of ourselves. We cannot use effects to effect; we cannot use our minds to treat our body. To treat our body, we need inner attitudes. This spiritual movement toward the object fosters alignment and oneness with our intentions. We cannot be one with an object by forcing ourselves towards it; we cannot will our minds to merge with it. Instead, we must recognize the inner essence in everything and our inherent oneness with that essence.
The spiritual attitudes of assumption and expectation work toward alignment with our true selves. Who you assume yourself to be is who you will become. Our assumptions about ourselves will become our reality. Our assumptions are our inner attitudes.
Assumptions and Expectations
To embody a certain state, we can use our imagination. Imagine that you already feel inner confidence. You need to assume confidence and feel it in your heart, acting accordingly as if you already were confident. Your inner conviction is that you are already confident. You're not thinking about becoming confident; you already know you are, thinking from the state you wish to embody.
It's not only how you feel but also how others perceive you. It's not simply what you think you are, nor what others think you are, but what you believe others think you are. We live in a reality shaped by perceived perceptions. Your imagination determines your perception; therefore, you need to shift how others perceive you. Imagine your friends, family, and coworkers perceiving you as your truest self. If you believe you are already your true self, others will perceive you the same way. Your internal belief is reflected in the external world, and other people will confirm your self-perception.
Live as if you are already your true self. Don't think about the process of getting there; instead, live from the perspective of having already achieved it. You are living the end.