Change Your Destiny

In the US version of the TV show “The Office,” we see a powerful demonstration of the influence of self-belief. Many of those who ascend to the Dunder Mifflin paper company management do so not because of their qualifications but because they believe they can do the job. Michael Scott, the manager through much of the show, is a prime example. Despite his lack of qualifications and leadership skills, his unwavering self-belief opens the door to the position. Michael has incredible self-belief well beyond his skills and experience in both management and relationships. This is a testament to the power of self-belief in shaping our destiny, and it's a power that each of us holds within us, waiting to be unleashed.  

Having worked with, coached, and led hundreds of people, I've come to a profound realization: our thoughts are the architects of our reality. Henry Ford's famous quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right," encapsulates this perfectly. It's not just a clever phrase but a profound truth about the power of our mindset in shaping our outcomes.

 Our mindset plays a pivotal role in shaping our self-perception, our interpretation of situations, and our belief in potential outcomes. I've witnessed individuals with incredible musical talents walk away from promising careers simply because they doubted their abilities. Conversely, there are numerous musicians who, despite relying on autotune, have successfully carved out careers in the industry.

I have interviewed people with wonderful skills and abilities that were well beyond the scope of the job they were applying for, yet they didn’t succeed in the interview because they didn’t believe they were good enough for the job. Many more had failed to apply for the position in the first place because they felt they didn’t have what it takes, despite doing the job day in and day out for another organization.

You are at the level you are career-wise, financially, and socially because of how you think. To move to a different level in all these and other areas, you will need to change your thinking about yourself. I have heard people blame their education, where they live, their family of origin, their financial status, and more for their position in life. In reality, it is as it says in Proverbs 23:7: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

What you think about yourself defines you. If you don’t like it, change your thinking.

So, how do you change your thinking? It all starts with what you say about yourself. Most people tend to talk down about themselves, or at least talk about their current situation, reinforcing the belief that this is their station in life. But if you want to change your results, you need to change your self-talk. It's not just a matter of positive thinking but a strategic shift in the way you perceive and talk about yourself.

To change your results and circumstances, change what you say about yourself. I have had goals to buy my own house, be the CEO of an organization, save money and invest it, be healthier and stronger, and own a new car. With each of these goals I was not in a position to see them happen. I couldn’t afford a house, I wasn’t qualified to be a CEO, I didn’t make enough to save and invest, and I was overweight and unhealthy.

My first step was to get a picture of what I wanted for each of these things and write a statement as though it had occurred in that picture. For example, I had a picture of a car exactly the colour and type I wanted, and written across it was the statement, “I own this car.”

Every day, I looked at this picture and said, “I own this car.” I did this with every one of my goals, and each one has become a reality or is becoming a reality (I am still losing weight to be healthier and fitter, but I am on the right track!).

I still follow this process today because it shifts my mindset. By seeing these pictures and speaking the phrases, I begin to shift my mindset toward believing what I see as truth. This changes my actions and builds my confidence, and I start planning and working toward achieving the goals because I believe they are a reality.

History is full of people who have changed their destiny and their lives through this process. Will you join them?

For more inspiration, go to www.philkinney.com