"الشخص الذي نعتقد أننا هو سيتصرف دائمًا بطريقة تتسق مع صورتنا الذاتية."

The heart of the matter here is that how we see ourselves shapes what we do. If you think of yourself as a confident, capable person, you'll act confidently and tackle challenges head-on. On the flip side, if you view yourself as someone who always messes up, you're likely to act in ways that confirm that belief. Our self-image is like a script we follow, often without even realizing it.

This idea has roots in psychology and self-perception theory. Back in the 1950s, Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon, noticed that changing a person's appearance often had little impact on their happiness or confidence unless their self-image changed too. He wrote about this in his book "Psycho-Cybernetics," which became a classic in self-help literature. Maltz's idea was that our subconscious mind plays a huge role in how we behave, and that by changing our self-image, we can change our lives.

Let’s bring this idea to life with a real-world example. Picture an athlete, say a high jumper. If they see themselves as someone who can clear a certain height, they'll train and approach their jumps with that belief in mind. Their self-image propels them to meet their goals. But if they keep thinking they can't clear the bar, even if they're physically capable, they'll probably fall short. There’s a well-known story about Roger Bannister, the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. Before he did it, experts said it was impossible. But Bannister believed in himself, and his accomplishment shattered the psychological barrier for others – suddenly, many runners were breaking the four-minute mark. His self-belief not only transformed his own performance but also changed the self-image of runners worldwide.

So, how can you use this wisdom? Start by paying attention to your self-talk. Are you your own worst critic? Flip the script. Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. Instead of saying, "I always mess this up," try, "I can handle this – I’ve got the skills." Visualize yourself succeeding. Picture it vividly, and let that image guide your actions.

Here's a little story to tie it all together. Imagine you’re an artist with a passion for painting. You love it, but you’ve always told yourself you’re not good enough to sell your work. One day, a friend sees your paintings and insists you try selling them at a local art fair. Reluctantly, you agree. The night before the fair, you’re wracked with doubt. But instead of giving in, you decide to visualize yourself at the fair, smiling as people admire your work. You see yourself making sales, and you start to believe it’s possible.

The next day, with that positive self-image in mind, you go to the fair. You’re nervous, sure, but you act with confidence. People do admire your work. You make some sales. That experience begins to shift your self-image. You start seeing yourself as a successful artist, which leads to more opportunities and further success.

In short, how we view ourselves is powerful. It shapes our actions and our reality. So, if you want to change your life, start by changing your self-image. It’s like planting a seed. Nurture it with positive thoughts and watch how your actions and life blossom.