The Story of the SAT Mix-Up
Imagine being a high school student who consistently struggles academically—barely passing your classes, feeling out of place among your peers, and certainly not the type of student anyone would expect to excel. That was the reality for one student until he took the SAT and received a jaw-dropping score of 1480 out of 1600. To put that in perspective, a 1480 is the kind of score that places you in the top 1% of test takers—an Ivy League-worthy score.
It didn’t make sense, given his history as a poor student, but that score changed everything for him. Believing he was capable of greatness, he started acting like a 1480 student. His study habits improved, he became more engaged in class, and his confidence soared. Months later, the SAT board sent a letter informing him that a mistake had been made—it wasn’t his score after all. But by that point, it didn’t matter. His belief in himself had already transformed him into a higher-achieving student.
This story isn’t just about a test score—it’s a testament to the power of the mind and the narrative we choose to believe about ourselves. It’s a reminder that who we think we are can fundamentally change the course of our lives.
Becoming who you believe you are
As an orthopedic surgery intern, there are days when learning feels overwhelming, and I’m faced with countless shortcomings. It can be tough not to define myself by those moments. But here’s the thing: If I believe I’m defined by my mistakes or my areas of weakness, I’ll eventually become that person.
James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, describes this exact effect when it comes to building habits. He says that you don’t just do the habit—you must think of yourself as the kind of person who does the habit. For instance, if you want to be someone who works out regularly, you need to start telling yourself, “I’m someone who values fitness.” Then, your actions start aligning with that identity. It’s the shift from “I’m trying to” to “I am.”
This belief shift has been crucial for me. When I find myself frustrated by something new I’m learning or a mistake I made, I remind myself: “I’m the type of person who constantly improves, who learns, who gets better with each experience.” That’s the identity I want to embody, and it’s a much more empowering perspective than letting slip-ups define me.
How we can apply this in our lives
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Shift the Story: Start paying attention to the narrative you tell yourself. If it’s negative or focused on your weaknesses, change it. Instead of thinking, “I’m not good at public speaking,” start saying, “I’m someone who can improve their speaking skills.” That mindset shift will push you to take action.
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Reinforce with Action: Once you’ve started identifying with a stronger belief about yourself, reinforce it by taking small actions aligned with that identity. If you want to be more disciplined with your study routine, think of yourself as someone who values consistency and discipline, and then prove it to yourself with daily action.
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Embrace the Process: This isn’t about pretending you have no flaws. It’s about recognizing that who you are isn’t static. You’re evolving, learning, and growing—and the person you think you are plays a big role in that process.
Quotes to Reflect On:
- “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
- “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
- “You are what you believe yourself to be.” — Paulo Coelho
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