Pygmalion Effect - Psychologist names two paths to success in any business
What it takes to succeed in any business (photo: Getty Images)
Becoming a successful person is everyone's desire. Since childhood, we have heard the words that we need to believe in our success. First, our parents and teachers tell us this, then our managers at work. This eventually programs our thinking, makes it work better, and makes us strive for more. This is the "Pygmalion effect," states Forbes.
What is the Pygmalion effect
This is a psychological phenomenon, which means that a person's expectations of a prophecy to be fulfilled largely determine the nature of his or her actions and the interpretation of the reactions of others, which provokes self-fulfilling prophecy.
The American psychologist Robert Rosenthal called this phenomenon the "Pygmalion effect," drawing a parallel with this character in ancient Greek mythology who wished that the statue he created would come to life and it did.
How to use this effect to achieve success
Mark Travers, PhD and psychologist, believes that there are only two conditions for success.
The power of your own beliefs
It's important to remember that low expectations, both from others and from oneself, can lead to failure. Our beliefs about our own potential can directly influence the actions that lead to results.
The first step to harnessing the Pygmalion Effect is to set high but realistic goals. High expectations motivate, add determination and resilience. They force you to step out of your comfort zone and achieve results that seemed unattainable before.
And the key here is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through learning and perseverance - that is, to give yourself a growth mindset.
But there is another approach, the "fixed mindset," which treats abilities as something innate and unchangeable. Such people avoid difficulties because they are afraid of failure or believe that they are not capable of improvement.
A person with a growth mindset will never say: "I'm not good at anything," because that's their way: "I can get better if I practice and put in the effort."
In fact, the Pygmalion effect strengthens the belief in the ability to succeed, and the growth mindset encourages you to accept challenges, learn from mistakes, and constantly improve.
The value of the goal
The second part of success, according to the psychologist, is realizing the value of what you do. When a person understands why he or she needs a particular goal, his or her motivation increases. And it also affects how others perceive it.
The American psychologist Jacqueline Eccles developed the expectancy-value theory, according to which our motivation is influenced by two factors: the expectation of success and the value of the result.
In other words, we are more likely to strive for a goal if we believe it is possible to achieve it and if the result is really important to us.
How to check yourself
To put this into practice, start by thinking about the tasks or goals you're working on. Ask yourself:
- How much do I believe I can succeed? Does this goal seem achievable to me?
- How important is this goal to me? Am I interested enough in this goal to go through the process?
If you are not confident in your abilities, you should work on building that belief by setting smaller, more attainable goals that become progressively more difficult.
This will increase your self-efficacy-the belief that you can succeed. As your confidence grows, so will your motivation.
Next, you should focus on the value of the goal. The value you place on your goals determines how much effort and perseverance you are willing to put into achieving them.
For example, if your goal is to start a business, it might not be just about financial success - it might be about creating something that reflects your creativity or making an impact in your community.
When you connect with the personal meaning of your goal, the process becomes much more rewarding and inspiring. It ensures that you stay engaged and disciplined even when things get tough.
What you need to do
As you work to harness the Pygmalion Effect for your development, remember that success depends not only on external expectations but also on the beliefs you hold about yourself.
One powerful way to increase your potential is to clearly define what you want and then intentionally visualize your success every day.
Take a few minutes each morning to envision yourself achieving your biggest goals. This simple practice can change your mindset and align your actions with your aspirations.
It is equally important to celebrate the small victories along the way. Don't wait for big achievements to recognize your progress.
Earlier, we wrote about 8 tips to help you organize your daily routine and become more efficient.
