What would your life look like if your goals and dreams came true? How would you feel? What would you do all day, every day? How would you talk? These are things I want to talk about in this session today. I was reminded of the concept of “acting as if” in my reading this week, but it’s actually an idea I heard many times in my life. The first time I heard it was during my time as a volleyball player at Virginia Tech, except one of our coaches told us to “fake it until you make it.” Same idea. We were to fake playing with confidence until we really had the confidence we were faking. Another time I heard it was a bit later down the road when I was explaining to a mentor things I wanted to happen in my life. She used the exact words, “act as if” it’s already so.
What happens when we do this? It really gets our subconscious mind to start working a bit more towards what we want. By “trying on” this new way of being, dressing, talking, and acting, our body gets to feel what it’s like to find the success we are looking for. That feeling is key. When we experience it, we are much more likely to do everything in our power to work for it and see opportunities that lead us closer to that goal.
A fun activity explained in the book, “The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are You Are to Where You Want to Be” was to have a party to act like what you want your life to look like 5 years from today. What would you go as? A best-selling author? A successful principal with respectful students? A stay at home mom who makes fresh food for your family? How would you act at this party if you already achieved your goals? I want you to pause to really imagine it!
What would you be wearing?
What would you be saying?
What would you be thinking?
What would be your self-concept?
I'd recommend taking a few minutes to journal through those questions or even sketch a picture of what it would look like. The more you can envision this exercise the better. I happen to be someone that is super visual, which actually helps in this type of exercise. I can picture what I'm wearing, how I'm acting, what I'm saying, what I'll be thinking. If that's not the type of process that works for you, go with more words to describe what you want rather than pictures. Once yo
u do this exercise, see what you can start doing today to start "acting as if." Buy the outfit that helps you experience the goal, starting changing the words that come out of your mouth, pay close attention to the thoughts going through your head. Lastly, really be mindful of how your self-concept needs to evolve to achieve this goal. If we have a negative view of ourselves we are carrying around, the goal we are trying to achieve will be much, much harder.
"I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me." Let's all take it from Maya Angelou that we can actually cheer ourselves on rather than tear ourselves apart. It's not conceited, it's actually vital to succeed in our goals! Happy rooting, everyone.