Elevate Your Self-Concept: Redefining Yourself with Neville Goddard’s Teachings
Hey diamonds,
Today we're going to be discussing something very profound. Something that's going to shake-up how you see yourself and shift your identity forever. This isn’t about quick fixes or surface changes; it’s about deeply and truly redefining the way you see yourself and letting that ripple out to change your world. When it comes to transforming self-concept, no one says it better than Neville Goddard, a leader in the world of self-development and manifestation and one of my favourite authors. Goddard believed that by assuming a new self-concept, we unlock the power to manifest the life we desire.
So, if you’re ready to reshape who you are, not by chasing after things but by simply assuming the right self-concept, let’s dive in.
What is Self-Concept and Why Does It Matter?
Self-concept is simply how you see yourself. It’s not just your surface-level identity but also the deeper beliefs and assumptions you hold about who you are and what you’re capable of. This goes beyond job titles, roles, or even past experiences. Instead, it’s the core belief system that informs every action, thought, and expectation you have.
Goddard taught that your world mirrors your self-concept. That means if you feel unworthy, life will keep showing you situations that affirm that feeling. On the flip side, if you assume you’re deserving of love, success, and happiness, your world will reflect that back. Think of it like a mirror: whatever you put out will come back to you.
“You attract who you are, not what you want,” Goddard would say. And we’ve all seen examples of this. Think about Elizabeth Gilbert’s journey in Eat Pray Love—she went from feeling trapped and unfulfilled to discovering peace and joy by redefining herself through inner exploration and embracing her worth. Her story is a beautiful example of shifting self-concept and watching the world follow suit.
The Law of Assumption: Become the Person You Wish to Be
One of Goddard’s core teachings is the Law of Assumption, which says that you can become anything simply by assuming it to be true. This doesn’t mean faking it; it means really feeling that you are already the person you want to be. When you embody that belief, everything around you starts to align with that new version of yourself.
Practical Ways to Assume a New Self-Concept:
✦ Visualize: Take time every day to close your eyes and see yourself as the version of you that you aspire to be. Imagine what you’d be doing, saying, and feeling. Do this as vividly as possible.
✦ Act “As If”: Start making small choices that reflect the self-concept you want. For example, if you want to be more confident, practice standing tall, speaking up, and setting boundaries.
✦ Affirmations: Write down affirmations that embody your desired self. For example, “I am deserving of success,” or “I am deeply loved.” Say these out loud and let them resonate (P.S. you can download our FREE affirmation poster here!).
In You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, she writes about the power of shifting from self-doubt to self-belief by literally acting like the person she wanted to become. When she started seeing herself as successful and capable, life followed suit. Her life started aligning with the vision she held of herself.
Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs
Before we can fully embrace a new self-concept, we need to look at the beliefs that hold us back. Many of these beliefs come from past experiences, family narratives, or societal conditioning. Goddard suggests examining these beliefs and asking ourselves if they truly represent us or if they are just outdated programming.
How to Identify and Replace Limiting Beliefs:
✦ Write Them Down: Jot down the beliefs you hold about yourself that limit you. For example, “I’m not good enough,” or “I don’t deserve success.”
✦ Challenge Their Validity: Ask yourself where these beliefs came from. Are they based on fact, or are they assumptions you’ve been carrying without question?
✦ Reframe with Positive Beliefs: Replace each limiting belief with a new, positive one that supports your self-concept. If you believe you’re not worthy of love, replace it with, “I am worthy of love and respect.”
In Atomic Habits by James Clear, he talks about how tiny changes can lead to remarkable results. When we change small beliefs about ourselves—like saying “I am disciplined” instead of “I am lazy”—we start to align our behaviors with this new self-view, and that’s when transformation happens.
Practice: Shifting into Your Desired Self-Concept Daily
Creating a new self-concept is not a one-time thing. It’s a practice. Think of it as rewiring your mind through daily repetition until the new self-concept feels natural. Goddard’s State Akin to Sleep (SATs) is a great practice for embedding new beliefs. As you’re about to drift off to sleep, focus on an image or feeling that represents your desired self.
Other Daily Practices for Self-Concept Reinforcement:
✦ Mental Diet: Watch your thoughts throughout the day. If you catch yourself reverting to an old belief, gently replace it with the new one.
✦ Stay in the Present Moment: Embrace the feeling of “I am” right now, without looking too far into the future or clinging to the past.
✦ Celebrate Small Wins: Every time you notice a small shift in yourself or in your circumstances, celebrate it! This reinforces your new self-concept.
In The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, he emphasizes staying present as a way to truly connect with the self. By focusing on the present moment, we detach from the past and future fears and embody the now—a practice that is invaluable in reshaping our self-concept.
When Challenges Arise: Maintaining Your New Self-Concept
We all hit bumps in the road. When things don’t seem to change as quickly as we’d like, it’s easy to feel disheartened. Remember, change takes time. Goddard emphasized persistence and faith, even when our outer reality hasn’t caught up with our inner world yet. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not working.
Tips for Staying Consistent:
✦ Trust the Process: Know that your inner work is setting the stage for outer change.
✦ Don’t Seek Immediate Validation: Outer reality takes time to adjust to your new self-concept. Focus on internal validation.
✦ Redirect Your Thoughts: Whenever doubts creep in, refocus on your desired self. Use reminders, journal entries, or positive affirmations to bring you back to center.
As Rachel Hollis writes in Girl, Wash Your Face, challenges don’t have to derail us. By consistently showing up for ourselves, despite setbacks, we reinforce the truth that we are resilient and capable.
Real-Life Transformations: When Self-Concept Changes Everything
Let me share an example close to home. A friend of mine struggled with self-worth, feeling undeserving of love and success. She began implementing Goddard’s teachings by assuming a self-concept of worthiness. Over time, her life transformed in ways she never imagined. She attracted relationships that valued her, opportunities that reflected her skills, and, most importantly, she began to genuinely love herself.
Her transformation wasn’t instant, but it was profound. She became living proof that when you change how you see yourself, the world responds in kind. This is the power of self-concept in action.
Finally, Step into Your Power
You have everything within you to transform your life by changing how you see yourself. Just like Neville Goddard taught, we are creators of our own reality, and that begins with our inner world. Don’t wait for someone else’s approval or for some external event to prove your worthiness. You decide your self-concept, and from that place of inner truth, you can create the life you’ve always desired.
Remember:
✦ Assume your desired self with confidence.
✦ Persist, even when you can’t see results right away.
✦ Release what no longer serves you.
Step by step, day by day, you’re creating a new story for yourself. Embrace it fully, and watch as the world rises to meet your new self. You’ve got this girl!
With love always,
DD x