Written by Jody Eagen

You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself. 
- Hilary Ziglar

In the 90s, I led personal development programs for Context Associated where we taught many models on human dynamics. One such model did a great job of describing how our results stem from our actions which stem from our choices and ultimately back to our belief system. This is called the Context Window. I’ve embraced this model and use it daily, as it makes sense for me.

Our belief system includes our attitudes, opinions and beliefs that have been formed, molded and crystallized over our entire life through all our experiences and the experiences of others that we see or hear about. Our Context plays a role in every decision we make, be it personal or professional; it could be as simple as the food we eat for lunch or as complex as the partner we choose to share our life with.

If our Context contains all our attitudes, opinions and beliefs it would make sense then that it would include those attitudes, opinions and beliefs we have about ourselves.

A premise of the Context Window is that all behaviour, if not in alignment with our belief system, would require will power to maintain. Short term we could maintain some behaviour using this will power. But long term, we would naturally gravitate back to what is comfortable and in alignment with our Context.

Our Context can be further dissected into 3 categories: Values, Assets and Cravings, which I call Motivating Factors. I believe many of our choices, if not all, are based on our Motivating Factors.

If we take a look at our Values and Assets, and for example, we see ourselves as having a strong value of honesty, then we likely see ourselves as honouring that value. If we see ourselves as organized or determined, then again, we will find ways to act in alignment with these to prove both to ourselves and others, that we have these desirable traits.

So in the end, I have to agree with Ziglar, that it would be hard to perform in a manner that varies from my view of myself, at least in the long term.

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