The Act as-if technique has been used for centuries by philosophers, spiritual leaders, and motivational speakers to help people change their behaviour, achieve their goals, and improve their lives. The idea behind act as if’ is simple: if you want to change something about yourself, start acting as if you have already changed.

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees draws on the teachings of the straight-shooting St Paul to show how we can surrender to God by acting as if we are who God says we are.

Listen to the episode below, or continue on to read the transcript.

Episode Transcript:

The concept of ‘act as if’ is not a new one. You.ve probably already used the technique from time to time. Perhaps you were nervous at a job interview and tried to hide your anxiety by pretending to be confident. Ot maybe you acted as if you were brave to impress someone.

The Act as-if technique has been used for centuries by philosophers, spiritual leaders, and motivational speakers to help people change their behaviour, achieve their goals, and improve their lives. The idea behind act as if’ is simple: if you want to change something about yourself, start acting as if you have already changed.

The origins of the ‘Act As If’ concept can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who said: “People acquire a particular quality by constantly acting a particular way… you become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave actions.” This idea was later popularised by the psychologist William James, who wrote: “If you want a quality, act as if you already have it.”

So, what exactly does ‘Act As If’ mean? Essentially, it involves behaving as if you already possess the qualities or traits that you want to develop. For example, if you want to become more confident, you might ‘Act As If’ you are already a confident person by speaking up more, making eye contact, and so on.

Here are some examples of how ‘Act As If ‘can be applied, using different situations:

• If you want to be more productive, ‘act as if’ you already have a productive routine in place. Start by creating a schedule for yourself, blocking out specific times for work and breaks, and sticking to it consistently. Over time, this routine will become a habit and will feel natural.
• If you want to be more confident in social situations, ‘act as if’ you are already a confident person. This might involve making eye contact with people, initiating conversations, and speaking up more often. Over time, these behaviours will become more comfortable and natural, and your confidence will grow as a result.
• If you want to be a more positive person, ‘act as if’ you already have a positive mindset. This might involve practicing gratitude, focusing on the good things in your life, and reframing negative thoughts in a more positive light. Over time, these habits will become ingrained, and you will naturally see the world in a more positive way.

What happens when you act ‘as-if’ is that you create new patterns in your brain and body. By changing your behaviour, you send a signal to the brain about how you want to feel. The brain doesn’t question it, it simply responds, helping you become the type of person you’re acting as if you are.

If we look at the notion of happiness as an example – when you feel happy, more blood flows to the brain. At the same time, feel-good chemicals like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine are released. When you force your face into a smile, those same feel-good chemicals are released, making you feel happy.
Tiny tweaks in your physical behaviour can quickly change the way you feel. Your body can affect your mind. And the more often you practice acting as if you feel a certain way, the easier it will be for you to experience those feelings whenever you want to.

You can’t experience a negative feeling if you are already experiencing a positive one. You can’t be scared when you’re feeling brave. You can’t be angry when you’re feeling cheerful. You can’t feel unwell when you feeling healthy. Get the idea?

In the Bible, the straight-shooting Apostle Paul teaches: For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them [Ephesians 2:10]. What this means is: If I believe what God says about me is true, that I am a child of God and I am loved, I should be willing to double down on my belief at every opportunity. That means in times of discouragement or doubt or testing — or in times of joy or blessing or peace — I will choose to surrender to God by acting as if I am who God says I am, regardless of my circumstances. I act “as-if.”

Don’t take my word for it, try it yourself! Here are a few tips to get started:
Start small – Choose a goal that feels achievable and achievable in the short term. This could be as simple as giving yourself a pep talk before an important meeting or dressing the way someone would who has achieved what you want to achieve.

Visualise it – Before you act as if, take a few moments to picture and imagine yourself achieving the goal. This will help to boost your motivation and give you the that you can do it.

Stay positive – Remember to stay positive throughout the process and keep reinforcing the idea that you already have what you want.

Take action – Once you’ve created a belief that you already have the desired outcome, take small steps to make it a reality. This could involve networking, learning a new skill, going for a run, getting up to meditate, taking on more responsibilities at work, and so on.

Acting “As-If” can be a powerful tool for personal growth and development. By ‘acting as if’ you already possess the qualities and traits you desire, you can develop new habits and behaviours that can lead to live a more rewarding and fulfilling life.

 

Look for the Silver Lining
This is Terry Lees
[Music: I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack]