Self-belief determines what Self can achieve.
Growing up, I often found myself in trouble. I was a mischievous child, frequently misbehaving in school and struggling academically. I was no stranger to the principal’s office.I performed academically about as well as I behaved – Very badly. But it wasn’t just my actions and academics that were suffering; I also faced challenges at home. This trio—bad behavior, bad grades, and a bad homelife—shaped a negative perception of myself.
I developed low self-esteem, low self-worth, and a low sense of self. I believed that success and good things weren’t meant for me. Despite knowing I was intelligent, I never expected to pass my classes or be recognized for positive achievements. I became so accustomed to being in trouble that I once voluntarily took the blame for a friend who had their phone out in class. When my mother asked me why, I simply said, “I’m used to being in trouble.”
It wasn’t until later in life that I realized a fundamental truth: Self-belief determines what self can achieve. I began battling internally—The Jeffery who was labeled bad vs the Jeffery who was meant for greatness. The question was, which one did I believe I was? It took a while to conclude but successful, educated, powerful, achiever, wealth-bound, world-changer Jeffery ended up coming out on top.
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. I had to be intentional about reshaping my mindset. I started writing affirmations on flashcards and repeating them every morning and night: “You are a leader.” “You will be successful.” “You will change lives.” Over time, these words became my reality.
Even as I progressed academically and professionally, imposter syndrome lingered. When people praised me or spoke of me with admiration, I often thought, “They can’t be talking about me.” “They don’t know the real me.” But as my self-belief grew, so did my confidence in my ability to achieve the things I had once only dreamed of.
So, I ask you: How do you view yourself? Are there mental limitations holding you back from pursuing your goals? Remember—self-belief determines what self can achieve. Believe in yourself, and the world will start to believe in you too.
Beautiful Theme 🙂