Self Persuasion

Goals

1. Describe self-persuasion (what, why, how).
2. Skillfully apply this.

What

Self-persuasion is the process of getting yourself to believe things, do things, or change your identity in ways that are in your best interests.

This includes:

• Adopting empowering beliefs.
• Taking meaningful action.
• Reinventing your identity to match your values and aspirations.

Why

With self-persuasion, you can create a better future self.

Without self-persuasion, your beliefs, habits, and identity are shaped by inertia, fear, and external pressure.

With skillful self-persuasion, you become:

• More focused
• More resilient
• More intentional
• More aligned with your best goals and values

Essence: Self-persuasion is how you evolve by choice instead of by accident.

How (Goals → PSSA → VIRCA)

1. Goals: Describe Your Future Self

Before you persuade yourself, define what you’re aiming for.

Ask:

• What beliefs do I want to strengthen or adopt?
  
• What actions do I want to start, stop, or continue?
  
• What identity do I want to become true of me?

Clarity here will guide and focus the persuasion process.

2. The PSSA–Self Loop

This is the internal persuasion cycle you’ll repeat:

• Problem – What’s blocking me? What do I want to change?
• Stakes – Why does it matter? What will happen if I do or don’t?
• Solution – What belief, behavior, or identity shift would help?
• Action – What small step can I take now?

Each pass through this loop strengthens belief, builds momentum, and rewires identity.

3. The VIRCA Filter Check

Your belief, behavior, or identity shift must pass these five internal filters to stick:

VIRCA = Value, Identity, Risk, Clarity, Autonomy

Filter	Question to Ask Yourself
Value	Does this matter to me?
Identity	Does this align with who I want to become?
Risk	Do I feel safe enough to try this?
Clarity	Is the next step clear and doable?
Autonomy	Am I freely choosing this?

Example

You’re procrastinating on launching a project.

Goal: Competent ease in taking steps to complete the project.

• Problem: I’m stuck in fear and avoidance.
• Stakes: If I delay again, I’ll miss a major opportunity.
• Solution: Take one step forward—even if it’s messy.
• Action: Write the opening sentence.

VIRCA Filter Check:

• ✅ Value: Yes, this matters.
• ✅ Identity: I’m becoming a creator who takes initiative.
• ✅ Risk: The action is small—low risk.
• ✅ Clarity: I know the exact next step.
• ✅ Autonomy: This is my decision.

Summary

Self-persuasion = Goals → PSSA loop → VIRCA filter → Repetition

Every day, ask:

1. “What belief, action, or identity shift would help me today—and how can I make it easy to say yes to?”

2. “What would future-me thank me for?”

3. “How can I repeat this enough that it becomes who I am?”