As we know, a self-fulfilling prophecy is the inclination to behave in ways that confirm our own or others expectations.
For example, have you ever had the feeling that someone didn’t like you?
If so, that unpleasant feeling has more than likely negatively affected how you treated that person.
In turn, that person experiences your unfavorable behavior toward him or her and treats you poorly as a result.
Their behavior seems to confirm your belief that the person didn’t like you in the first place.
This damaging cycle can be broken if you choose instead to treat the other person well, instead of interacting with others in the same old ways.
For instance, assuming we are liked is a much more satisfying, productive and beneficial belief for all concerned, than assuming we are not.
It encourages good feelings within ourselves and better treatment toward those around us.
This doesn’t mean to be in relationships with people who don’t treat you well, or be with those we don’t feel connected to.
It just means to be more mindful of our reactions in order to respond in ways that help us avoid creating the very behaviors or outcomes we don’t desire.
This new and positive way of behaving can become a self-fulfilling prophecy of its own and expand the potential for creating better results.
What self-fulfilling prophecy have you uncovered?
The Cathie Barash Blog 