I met “Eric” (not his real name) when he was 15, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Eric was dealing with a lack of motivation in school, anxiety, and insomnia. He explained that once his boarding school switched to an online format, his grades dropped because he would switch off his camera and play video games during his school time.

I taught Eric how to calm himself with hypnosis and to receive advice from his subconscious. These methods helped improve all his symptoms. I remember a particular day when we were engaged in “walking therapy” outside because we did not want to be confined to an office during COVID.

Eric said that he felt the world was a dark place and that there was little to look forward to in his life. I stopped, turned to look into his eyes, and said, “But you are the light.” Based on his thoughtful expression, I felt strongly that he registered what I said.

Eric concluded his work with me after three months once his boarding school reopened. Fast-forward four years, and Eric emailed me with some questions about romantic relationships. He wrote that in his first two years in college, he founded a club, was the executive board member of an honors society, interned at five different jobs, and started two small businesses.

He said, “You were right about the light inside me. I’ve come to realize over the past few years that you were right on a lot of things. It’s cool to see your predictions come true. Not that I ever doubted them.”

Eric added that he still uses hypnosis and his subconscious nearly every day to enhance the good times, guess multiple-choice questions, and help with his decision-making.

When we met to discuss his relationship questions, we both recalled the time I suggested that Eric was the light. I suggested that my job is to help amazing people like Eric and awaken them to their potential. We mused that when I “predict” good outcomes, I may prompt their manifestation as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I took a moment to marvel at how our expressed belief in those we care about can have a great influence. As social beings, we can thrive on input from others. For this reason, it is imperative that people in authority (e.g., parents, teachers, healthcare clinicians, bosses, and political leaders) be mindful of the power of their encouraging words and actions on the success of those who look up to us. Conversely, negative input can have a lasting detrimental effect, such as “You’ll never be good at math.”

I suspect that without positive input, many people will fail to recognize or build upon some of their inherent abilities. When I “predict” good outcomes, I believe I am recognizing the potential within the person in front of me.

Each of us can work on using positivity to help others better appreciate themselves and grow closer to their full potential. In turn, the people we influence can help those around them. In time, many people can benefit when we help even only one individual on one occasion to see the light.