I was in my twenties the first time I read the words of William James:
“Belief creates the actual fact.”
At the time, I didn’t fully understand just how deeply that sentence would shape the course of my life. But I remember how it made me feel—like something cracked open inside me. It was one of those moments where the right words hit you at just the right time. They don’t feel like information. They feel like truth.
What if belief wasn’t just some passive idea—but an active force in how life unfolds?
That idea has stuck with me through the decades—through different seasons of life, different roles I’ve taken on, and different challenges I’ve faced. And I’ve seen it play out over and over again, in both quiet moments and life-changing decisions.
Here are seven lessons I’ve learned from walking out that idea in real life.
- We live into the stories we believe.
Early on, I believed I had something to offer—even when I didn’t have the resume to prove it. That belief wasn’t rooted in ego; it was rooted in hope. And it led me to take chances I might have avoided otherwise. Looking back, I realize: we don’t just live with our beliefs—we live into them. They shape our behavior, our confidence, and the choices we make (or don’t make).
2. Belief often shows up before evidence does.
We tend to wait for proof before we believe. But some of the best outcomes in my life happened because I chose to believe first. I believed a new idea could work before I had any data. I believed I could grow into the person needed for the next season, even when part of me was unsure. That kind of belief doesn’t guarantee success—but it opens the door to it.
3. Fear is belief turned against you.
This one hit me hard.
Fear, at its core, is belief in the wrong direction. It’s the belief that you’ll fail. That you’ll fall short. That the worst-case scenario is more likely than the best.
When I started reframing fear as a misdirected belief, I stopped letting it control me. Now, when I feel afraid, I ask: What am I believing right now? And is it helping or hurting me?
4. Belief in others can be a lifeline.
There have been moments in my career—especially as a consultant, coach, or leader—when someone couldn’t see their potential. But when I believed in them, something shifted. That belief became a bridge they could walk across.
Sometimes, the most powerful gift you can give someone isn’t advice—it’s your belief in them. And sometimes, that belief helps them find their own.
5. Belief builds momentum.
Momentum doesn’t usually come from breakthroughs. It comes from belief followed by small action.
I’ve learned this the hard way through writing, fitness, and even recovery from failure. You start by believing—just enough to try. Then you act. That action reinforces the belief. That belief energizes more action. Over time, you create a kind of upward spiral. The key is to start even when you don’t feel fully ready.
6. You can rewrite your beliefs—and your future.
Some of the beliefs we carry weren’t chosen—they were handed to us. Stories about what’s possible, what success looks like, or how worthy we are.
At a certain point in my journey, I had to ask myself: Are these beliefs still serving me? Or are they holding me back?
Rewriting those beliefs wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I started choosing beliefs that supported the life I wanted to live—not just the life I was told to accept.
7. Belief leads to belonging.
One of the quiet battles many people face—especially in seasons of transition—is the feeling that they don’t quite belong. That they’re out of place.
What I’ve learned is this: when you believe you belong, you stop shrinking. You show up. You speak up. You participate fully.
Belief in your worthiness opens the door to connection. It doesn’t mean you’ll never feel doubt again—but it means doubt won’t get the final say.
Final Thoughts
William James was a psychologist, philosopher, and deep observer of human nature. But to me, this one sentence says it all:
“Belief creates the fact.”
Not in a magical, snap-your-fingers way. But in a very real, very human way.
What you believe about yourself, your future, your relationships, your abilities—that belief is shaping what you try, what you notice, what you risk, and what you allow.
And if belief shapes behavior and behavior shapes outcomes… then yes, belief does create the fact.
So I’ll leave you with this: What belief is guiding your life right now? And is it one that creates more of what you truly want?
Choose wisely. Because the facts of tomorrow often begin with the beliefs of today.
