From: alexhormozi
Personal labels, whether self-imposed or attributed by others, can significantly influence an individual’s behavior and decision-making. Often, these labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies, limiting growth and potential by shifting focus away from actionable steps and towards fixed self-perceptions [02:59:00].
The Pitfalls of Labels
Many people fall into the trap of making false correlations between attributes and success, such as believing that tall people play basketball, so playing basketball will make one tall [01:29:00]. Similarly, individuals might attribute their success to a hard childhood rather than the specific actions they took [02:05:00]. The key is to focus on what actions actually led to a result, rather than amorphous intentions or circumstances that cannot be measured [02:33:00].
Personal labels can create an “ignorance debt” by preventing individuals from investing in their skills and education [03:56:00]. This can lead to a significant deficit compared to peers who prioritize learning and growth [04:31:00]. The most expensive thing one pays for is not their car or house, but “the information that you don’t know but should” [10:23:00].
“Many people have bad childhoods, some of them become successful and so that’s why trying to figure out why something happened I have spent less and less of my effort trying to do that and only look at what actions created a result rather than looking at intention or anything else that’s amorphous that can’t be measured.” [02:23:00]
Labels as Excuses for Inaction
Labels often serve as an excuse to avoid taking action. For example, the phrase “30 isn’t the new 20” can become an excuse to delay accomplishing goals by a decade [02:02:42]. Similarly, accepting “dead-end jobs” that don’t foster personal growth can lead to stagnation [03:22:00].
Inaction often stems from “some sort of fear, some sort of anxiety, some sort of label that they believed that isn’t true from someone else” [06:07:07]. This means focusing on what one is not doing rather than what one could be doing [06:05:00].
The “Bad at Math” Example
A prime example of how labels limit action is the self-perception of being “bad at math” [02:51:00]. This label can lead to not studying as hard in that subject, perpetuating the belief, even if one is capable of excelling with effort [02:55:00].
“Everyone who’s listening to this has something they say about themselves, they’re like I’m not organized, I’m an early bird, right like we have these labels we give ourselves but like why do we have these labels like if you needed to wake up early [\h__\h] wake up early if you need to stay up late you stay up late the labels change our behavior more than we change the labels.” [02:48:00]
Reframing for Growth
To counter the limiting effects of labels, a shift towards action-oriented thinking and a critical evaluation of external opinions are crucial for identity and personal transformation.
Focusing on Actions Over Intentions
Instead of dwelling on “why” things happened or what someone’s intentions might be, it is more productive to focus solely on observable facts and actions [02:33:00]. For instance, in a meeting, instead of interpreting someone’s intentions or how their statement made one feel, simply acknowledge what was said [02:41:00]. This approach makes navigating life easier by reducing noise and focusing on objective truths [02:45:00].
Rejecting External Opinions and Labels
Listening to others’ opinions can be detrimental, as they often want a version of you that best serves them, not the best version of you [02:04:00]. Even family members, while having more aligned interests than strangers, do not have completely aligned interests; only “future you” does [02:35:00].
Rejecting labels, especially those imposed by family or friends from one’s past, is essential. These labels, like “hothead” or “short temper,” can trigger mental defenses and perpetuate behaviors if not actively challenged [02:27:00]. They are often shorthand for others to understand, not necessarily true [02:55:00].
Cultivating an Action-Oriented Mindset
Changing one’s environment can help alter behavior by not reinforcing old labels [02:48:00]. Instead of binary labels (e.g., courageous/not courageous), focus on ideals and taking steps towards those ideals [02:08:00]. This involves:
- Focusing on Growth: Prioritizing relationships with people who talk about the future and growth, rather than reminiscing about the past [02:56:00].
- Defining Goals by Action: Instead of saying “I need to figure it out,” define what “figured out” means in terms of specific, measurable actions (e.g., “I’m going to read two hours a night on a specific subject until I feel like I can make a decision within 30 days”) [06:27:00].
- Prioritizing Learning Over Earning in Early Stages: Especially in one’s 20s, optimizing for learning and skill development within a globally recognized brand can unlock far greater long-term potential than immediate high earnings in a stagnant environment [07:00:00].
By reframing personal labels and focusing on concrete actions and desired ideals, individuals can unlock significant potential for growth and success.