Monday, April 27th, 2015 09:52:28

Beliefs and Outcomes

According to C.S. Lewis, “We are what we believe we are.” If he is correct, then it raises this question: Do our beliefs on where we fit in among the economic classes create a self-fulfilling prophecy, and, if so, can downgrading our beliefs change our economic outcomes?

We all know from experience that beliefs and outcomes can be mutually reinforcing, in positive and negative ways. The trainer who helped me get into the best shape of my life about eight years ago had a mantra that he drilled into my head: “You can do it; you can do it — put your mind to it.” Of course, what he meant was to put my biceps, triceps and quadriceps, etc. into it as well. But it all started with my belief system — did I believe that, with hard work, I could do it?