4.4｜Section 3 How Belief Self-Actualizes
Section 3 | How Belief Self-Actualizes: The Mechanism of the Mental Algorithm
Many people may have a lingering question: Since you said in the first part that what we believe will manifest in our lives; and in the previous part you pointed out that entirely objective facts do not exist—that our "facts" of the past are merely memories relying on interpretative frameworks, which in turn are rooted in our deepest beliefs—then how exactly do these filtered "facts" achieve self-actualization?
Next, we will discuss several classic and repeatedly validated mental operational mechanisms in psychology.
Layer One: Attention Filtering
We are more likely to notice things we "care about." You must have experienced this:
- You originally felt there weren't many Mercedes-Benzes on the street, but once you bought one, it seemed the streets were full of them.
- You never paid attention to real estate information, but once you decided to buy a house, every corner of the city seemed to be selling property.
- You never cared about investing, but once you prepared to enter the market, you suddenly discovered investment opportunities everywhere.
This is Attention Filtering at work. It contains at least two layers of meaning:
(1) The Self-Concept Determines the Direction of Attention
Who you believe you are determines which feedbacks "fitting your identity" you are more likely to notice, while automatically ignoring others. For example: If you believe you are very smart, and you encounter five courses in your studies—three in which you excel and two in which you are weak—you are more likely to ignore your weak areas and use "lack of effort" as an explanation rather than "lack of intelligence." You will invest more time in the courses you are good at, and as your grades improve, you further reinforce the belief that you are "smart."
This is why Henry Ford said: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right." Because your belief will inevitably find evidence to verify itself.
Layer Two: Opportunity Filtering and the Generation of Identity
Your beliefs filter not only the world you see but also the "opportunities you are capable of seeing." For example: You want to buy a house, so you begin to notice every detail in real estate ads, news, and friends' conversations—while ignoring other information. This selective attention itself is creating the opportunity.
On a deeper level: Your self-perception actively generates a "Sense of Identity."
If you believe you will become an entrepreneur in the future rather than an employee, you will consciously observe problems from the perspective of a business owner.
The story of the young John D. Rockefeller confirms this: While he was still a clerk in a firm, he was already thinking about how to make the business operate better from the identity of a "future boss." He took initiative in learning and responsibility, regardless of short-term interests, because he believed growth was more important than salary.
Anyone who has truly run a business knows: If an employee always thinks from the company's perspective, actively takes on challenges, is highly sensitive to opportunities, and is willing to take over-responsibility, you will inevitably grant them more resources and platforms.
Identity creates opportunity, and opportunity, in turn, shapes identity.
Layer Three: Negative Feedback is Also Filtered by Belief
Even when negative results appear, as long as your internal preset is "I am an excellent person," you will still filter out interpretations from the negative that support your self-perception. Because things themselves are neutral; whether you perceive them as good or bad depends on your internal judgment, and your judgment depends on your belief.
Interpretation $\to$ Determines the next action
Action $\to$ Determines the next result
Result $\to$ Re-interpreted by belief
Thus, a closed loop is constructed:
Belief $\to$ Action $\to$ Result $\to$ Interpretation $\to$ Reinforcement of Belief
Conclusion: The Subconscious is the Pilot
By now, we can clearly see: All human behavior essentially originates from initial presets and beliefs. This preset belief:
- Determines what actions you are willing to take;
- Determines what opportunities you can see;
- Determines how you interpret events;
- Determines the persistence and direction of your actions;
- Ultimately shapes the entire structure of your life.
It determines not only what you experience in life but also how you experience it (satisfaction, achievement, happiness). Psychology calls this entire implicit structure the Subconscious. You think you are making decisions with your consciousness, but in reality, the subconscious is the true pilot of your life.
The subconscious is formed by two parts:
- Innate tendencies.
- Implicit beliefs and patterns formed during early experiences.
Simply put: Man is forever actualizing what he truly believes.
Note: There are two layers to this "belief":
- Conscious Belief: The values and slogans you tell yourself.
- Subconscious Belief: The presets at the deepest part of your heart that you may even be unwilling to face.
The one that truly determines the direction of your life is the second layer.
