“Pygmalion Effect”: Two Conditions That Will Allow You to Succeed in Any Business

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Becoming a successful person is everyone's desire. And from childhood we hear words about the need to believe in our success. At first, our parents and teachers tell us this, and later, our managers at work. And over time, this programs our thinking, makes it work better, strive for more. This is the “Pygmalion effect”.

What is the Pygmalion effect

This is a psychological phenomenon, which consists in the fact that a person's expectations of the fulfillment of a prophecy largely determine the nature of his actions and the interpretation of the reactions of others, which provokes the self-fulfillment of the prophecy.

American psychologist Robert Rosenthal called this phenomenon the “Pygmalion effect,” drawing a parallel with this character from ancient Greek mythology, who wished that the statue he created would come to life and it really happened.

How to use this effect to achieve success

Doctor of Philosophy and psychologist Mark Travers believes that only two conditions are needed to achieve success.

The power of your own beliefs

It is important to remember that low expectations, both from the environment and from the person himself, can lead to failure. Our beliefs about our own potential can directly influence the actions that lead to the result.

The first step to using the “Pygmalion effect” is to set high, but realistic goals. High expectations motivate, add determination and resilience. They force you to leave your comfort zone and achieve results that previously seemed unattainable.

And the key role here is played by the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through training and perseverance – that is, to give yourself a growth mindset.

But there is another approach – a “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 can’t do anything”, because their path is: “I can get better if I practice and make an effort”.

In fact, the “Pygmalion effect” strengthens the belief in the ability to succeed, and a growth mindset stimulates accepting challenges, learning from mistakes and constantly improving.

The value of the goal

The second part of success, according to the psychologist, is the awareness of the value of what you do. When a person understands why he needs a particular goal, his motivation increases. And this also affects how others perceive it.

American psychologist Jacqueline Eccles developed the “expectation-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 pursue a goal if we believe it is possible to achieve it and if the outcome is truly important to us.

How to test yourself

To put this into practice, start by thinking about the tasks or goals you are 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 this belief by setting smaller, more achievable goals that are gradually made more difficult.

This will strengthen 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 just be about financial success—it might be about creating something that reflects your creativity or making an impact on your community.

When you connect with the personal meaning of your goal, the process becomes much more rewarding and inspiring. This ensures that you stay engaged and disciplined, even when things get tough.

What to do

As you work to use the Pygmalion effect to your development, remember that success is not only dependent 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 visualize yourself achieving your biggest goals. This simple practice can change your mindset and align your actions with your aspirations.

It's equally important to celebrate the small victories along the way. Don't wait for big achievements to recognize your progress.